Step 1: Tweet your MP
If you're on Twitter, use this form to send a tweet to your MP.
In the midst of a climate and nature crisis the UK Government has announced that they will be:
- Lifting the ban on fracking in England
- Removing or amending important laws that protect nature, water and air quality
- Setting up investment zones that will dilute wildlife protections in those areas.
- Considering scrapping plans to reward farmers for managing land in a nature-friendly way.
In Kent, the revocation of the laws could see 17 specially protected sites across the county lose these stronger protections, leaving them vulnerable to development. Many of these sites are a refuge for rare and endangered species with wetland features to help combat flooding and lock up and store carbon – vital in the fight against climate change.
In addition to the proposed changes to environmental laws, the Government’s Growth Plan earmarks Kent County Council as one of 37 authorities being able to nominate investment zones in the county. If Kent is granted investment zone status, it could allow developers to bypass important environmental laws, further putting wildlife in jeopardy. This just months after the successful campaign by Kent Wildlife Trust and others to protect the Swanscombe Peninsula.
These proposals are a charter to destroy wildlife, pollute rivers, seas and the air we breathe. We are asking for people to write to their MP to ask them to put a stop to these harmful changes to legislation. You can also sign up to receive news and updates from the Trust about how you can support Kent's wildlife and fight the climate and nature crises.
How you can help: step-by-step
Step 2: Write to your MP
Download our template letter. Edit or add to the template to reflect your own concerns and why you care about wildlife. The more you add your personal touch, the more likely your MP is to listen. Try to be as succinct as possible. Send your letter by post or email to your MP.
Step 3: Keep up-to-date
For nature, this is one of the most important political moments that we can remember. We are acting fast and asking you to do so too, but things are changing - so we will continue to provide new and different ways for you to speak up for nature over the coming weeks. If you would like to be part of the continued action, sign up to our campaign mailing list.
Why are Kent Wildlife Trust and other environmental charities so concerned?
We believe the UK Government has launched a full-scale attack on nature – leaving wildlife unprotected by tearing up some of the most fundamental laws we’ve got.
New planning laws and ‘investment zones’ announced on Friday 23rd September represent a ‘free-for-all’ on nature by weakening the laws previously in place to protect it from bulldozers and concrete. The new Retained EU Law Bill could also see the end of basic protections, leading to the loss of designated wildlife sites and a relaxation on pollution laws, resulting in more sewage in our rivers and streams.
What’s more, the UK Government is also reviewing the new system that has been developed to reward farmers that help to restore the environment. Reports suggest that instead they might revert back to the old system of paying farmers depending on how much land they own (with larger landowners receiving more subsidy). This is a complete about turn on the farming reform the Conservative Party promised to deliver in their election manifesto in 2019.
Finally, a big thank you from all of us here at Kent Wildlife Trust.