A new UK poll reveals how badly people think all main parties are faring on tackling the nature and climate crises. It reveals that a majority of the public think the main parties are doing poorly on river pollution (78%), nature loss (71%), climate change (69%), ensuring communities can benefit from nature (65%), and supporting sustainable food production (63%).

The poll, conducted by Savanta and commissioned by The Wildlife Trusts, interviewed 2,221 UK adults between 31^st May and 2^nd June 2024.

All those interviewed were asked to identify environmental priorities for the next government. The top five were:

1. Ensuring nature is properly protected in our seas (50%)
2. Halving pollution in rivers from sewage and farming by 2030 (45%)
3. Upgrading the energy efficiency of homes to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions (38%)
4. Helping farmers reduce emissions and adapt to climate change by embedding adaptation into farm payment schemes (37%)
5. Providing more money to support nature-friendly farming (37%)

 In this region, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, which manages over 60 reserves in Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside is calling on all political parties to commit to halting and reversing the loss of nature by tackling the climate emergency, bringing back the UK’s lost wildlife, ending river pollution and water, funding wildlife-friendly farming and enabling healthy communities.

Act to have halted species decline – but trends are currently moving in the opposite direction. 

In addition, it is asking people to take a Satisfaction Survey and rate prospective parliamentary candidates on the subject of nature and climate at  www.wildlifetrusts.org/General-Election-2024/satisfaction-survey#form

 Duncan Hutt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Director of Conservation says:

“People know that our natural world is in crisis and that this disaster has consequences for us all. Last year’s State of Nature report revealed catastrophic declines in wildlife with 1 in 6 species at risk of extinction from Britain.

“Nature is in freefall and this fact has repercussions for our health, our ability to produce food, and our capacity to withstand floods, drought, and heat.

“The UK has endured its first ever 40°C day and we’ve suffered the wettest 18 months since records began. The Climate Change Committee, who advise the UK Government on climate, has cautioned that the UK has lost its position as a global leader on climate, and that policy development and implementation continues to be too slow. 

“We’re appealing to all candidates - especially those in this region - to champion the greatest challenge of our times and show the leadership that people want to see - they must put restoring nature at the heart of their campaigns.”