Devon Wildlife Trust has more than 37,000 members across Devon and has been working for 60 years to bring wildlife back, to empower people to take action for nature, and to create an inclusive society where nature is accessible to everyone. DWT's Chief Executive Harry Barton said:
“I’m far from alone in thinking we live in the most beautiful place in the World. Nature is one of the reasons that draws so many people to come and live in Devon, as well as the millions of tourists delight in coming here every year. But the relationship goes much deeper than that – without nature there would be no soils to grow food, no insects to pollinate crops, no clean water for us to drink. As a rural county of small farms and spectacular landscapes, nature is at the heart of who we are.”
Devon Wildlife Trust's letter to local Conservative Associations sets out the stark environmental challenges confronting the nation at this key political moment:
"Nature faces huge challenges. Once common wildlife species are now on the brink of extinction, our rivers are the most polluted in Europe, and we have just experienced the hottest temperatures on record. The evidence is overwhelming - the cost of not tackling the nature and climate crises boldly, and with a real sense of urgency, will be huge for our economy and communities.”
The letter acknowledges that the Conservative Party's 2019 election manifesto made important commitments to protecting and restoring the environment, including delivering Net Zero by 2050, levelling up access to nature, and supporting farmers to restore our environment by moving to a system based on ‘public money for public goods’. But it goes on:
"Despite these bold ambitions, there has been little mention of environmental issues in the leadership contest so far, and some worrying signs that resolve to follow through on some of these commitments is weakening. We are asking for your help to ensure that the country’s new leader continues to uphold the promises made by the conservative government in recent years."
The letter ends with a direct appeal to Conservative Party members:
"Our new Prime Minister will arrive at a critical moment in the fight to tackle climate change and halt the ongoing decline in nature, with the potential for the UK to play a pivotal role on a global stage.
We very much hope that during the course of the leadership campaign Devon Conservatives will encourage the two candidates to uphold the party’s laudable manifesto commitments on the environment, and present bold ideas for leaving our county’s unique natural heritage in a better state for the next generation."