It’s no secret that we all depend on nature. It’s also no secret that nature is in deep trouble. We're facing a climate and ecological emergency. Wildlife is in serious decline, constrained to shrinking isolated pockets and the UK is now one of the most nature-depleted places on earth. This is as true here in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight as it is anywhere.
But the momentum for change is growing rapidly. Governments around the world are declaring nature and climate emergencies; the environment is always in the news, increasingly on the agenda; and ever more people and groups join the climate strike movement, realising they can no longer sit still.
It seems our Government can’t stay still, either. The calling of a general election provides a golden opportunity to build on this momentum. We can all urge parties and their candidates to act now and act decisively. Because that’s what nature, and we ourselves, desperately need – decisive action that will turn things around.