What’s new?
Trust Chief Executive offers stark picture of climate change inaction
Brian Eversham, Chief Executive of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough warned Wildlife Trust supporters of the consequences for UK wildlife that could be caused by a lack of action to combat climate change at a march in London on Saturday (5 December) in advance of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
More than 50,000 people came together to demand action on climate change at The Wave – organised by Stop Climate Chaos - the biggest ever UK climate change march on Saturday (5 December). People from all over the country dressed in blue encircled Parliament, calling on the UK government to settle for nothing less than a climate deal in Copenhagen that avoids dangerous climate change.
Along with Gary Mantle, Chief Executive of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, and representatives from other organisations, Brian also attended a question and answer session with Ed Miliband – the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. Gary Mantle is attending the conference in Copenhagen on behalf of the Wildlife Trusts.
Brian addressed the Wildlife Trust delegation before the march. He said, “In the context of global drought, war and starvation, I almost feel guilty talking about wildlife - but it’s our particular message, and one which resonates with a very large slice of the British people. No bluebells for the grandchildren to enjoy is emotive, close to home, and immediate. It’s also a reminder that the natural world matters to people - but they are also part of the climate change answer. Bluebell woods store carbon. Britain’s peat bogs are even better carbon sinks…as long as they remain active and well managed. Damage them, and both CO2 and methane could exacerbate the harmful effects of climate change.
“Bluebells are only one of several thousand wildlife losers in the face of a changing climate. A two centigrade rise in temperature will drive many species further north and west, and force mountain hares out of England, and snow buntings and ptarmigan to extinction in Scotland too. We can expect summer droughts and unseasonal floods and storms, more fires on heaths. At 4°c, I suspect the fires will also become regular in grasslands and even woodlands, most ferns will disappear from lowland England, wintering geese, swans and waders will desert our wetlands, and our mountain butterflies and dragonflies will disappear. “
“I’ve not mentioned the 6°c option. It’s too scary and unpredictable. At that level, I don’t think our successors will only be talking about dangers for wildlife. We’ll be talking about drought and starvation in Europe.”
ENDS
Notes for Editor:
The Wildlife Trusts have produced a short film featuring Brian Eversham, who talks through some of the potential impacts of climate change on the UK’s wildlife. Watch it here: www.youtube.com/thewildlifetrusts
About the Trust:
Bringing people together to take action for wildlife is the Trust’s mission. We manage 129 nature reserves - all of them free to visit – and 95% of the population live within five miles of one of our reserves. We are working to make these wildlife havens bigger, better and more joined-up – vital to help wildlife to adapt to a changing climate. By gathering valuable information about wildlife and working with other landowners the Trust also monitors and safeguards wildlife beyond the boundary of its reserves.
The Wildlife Trusts’ campaign messages
The Wildlife Trusts are presenting a note to the Government at Copenhagen signed by all 47 Wildlife Trusts - this is our message to the Prime Minister;
Please secure a positive and far-reaching climate change agreement in Copenhagen – we, and our wildlife, depend upon it.
Our 47 Wildlife Trusts around the UK, have a combined membership of nearly
800,000. We all care deeply about the future of our natural environment, on land and at sea, especially in a changing climate. The impact of climate change on people and the natural environment – upon which we all depend – is predicted to be dramatic.
We need to take a positive step towards a legal agreement to reduce greenhouse gases by 40% by 2020. The Conference must recognise the role of natural ecosystems, such as forests and peatlands, in storing carbon. This is vital for us all.