Get nature on the agenda

Charlotte Owen
, 23 May 2024
Get nature on the agenda
Skylark © Roger Wilmshurst

By Jess Price, Conservation Officer

The General Election has been called for 4 July. We have just six short weeks to make sure nature and climate change are at the heart of the next Government’s agenda. The UK is committed to protecting 30% of land and sea and to reducing carbon emissions by at least 68% (compared to 1990) by 2030. But progress has been slow, and the incoming Government will have to be responsible for turning this around.

We need all MPs, whether they are in Government or in opposition, to commit to a plan  to finally halt and reverse nature’s decline.

And we need help getting this message out.

Tell us about local hustings and events

Prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) are going to be out on the streets and in local communities canvasing for votes, and their diaries will be filling up very quickly. With so little time, it is likely going to be difficult to persuade PCCs to meet and listen to Sussex Wildlife Trust staff, especially when we are not necessarily one of their potential constituents. We will have to go to them, and are relying on local people to let us know where they will be.

Please let us know in the comments below if you hear of a local event or hustings that PPCs will be attending, and we will endeavour to talk to as many PCCs as we can about what nature needs.

Score your candidates

We would like to know how well candidates are doing on the subject of nature and climate - you can give them all a satisfaction score! If you have had a conversation or received a campaign leaflet from a candidate, please let us know how well you feel nature is represented by taking our Satisfaction Survey.

March with us in London on Saturday 22 June

We’ll also be making a big noise at the Restore Nature Now rally in London on Saturday 22 June, and would love for you to come along. This legal, peaceful, inclusive and family-friendly demonstration aims to be the biggest gathering of people for nature and climate that the UK has ever seen. It is both a celebration of British nature and a protest calling for urgent political action on the nature and climate emergencies. With the general election just weeks away, it couldn’t be more timely. 

When - Saturday 22 June
Where – Park Lane to Westminster, London
Time – from 12pm

The event has a serious message but you can expect plenty of music, colour, face painting, puppets and perhaps even the odd Badger costume or two! It will be an amazing opportunity to be with like-minded people and speak up about something we know you care deeply about. Will we see you there? Pledge to attend here.

Leave a comment

Comments

  • Kate Frankland:

    Local hustings meeting arranged for Tuesday 18th June 7.30pm at East Dean Church, east Dean NEAR EASTBOURNE. Maria Caulfield for Conservative and James McCleary for Lib.Dems have confirmed their availability so far.

    30 May 2024 11:29:00

  • Sussex Wildlife Trust:

    Thank you so much for this information, it is fantastic to hear you are organising a hustings. Is there somewhere people can register attendance/buy a ticket?

  • Laurence McManamon:

    Greening Steyning are trying to arrange a hustings later in June.

    30 May 2024 19:27:00

  • Sussex Wildlife Trust:

    Thank you for this information, it is great to hear. We will hopefully be able to send someone along.

  • Jeremy Hallett:

    I am organising a Hustings on Sunday June 23rd for East Grinstead & Uckfield constituency. 4 PPC’s confirmed so far. The venue is still being sorted, but one thing we have to do is not favour a party so if you can have a wording that doesn’t do so for a question or let us have a comment on each parties manifesto effectiveness that would be great.

    30 May 2024 21:34:00

  • Sussex Wildlife Trust:

    Thank you we will be in touch

  • Amanda:

    I have already pledged to attend (via Love and Rage), but wondered if you were organising any transport for supporters? Thank you.

    31 May 2024 09:46:00

  • Sussex Wildlife Trust:

    Thank you for your comment. We are not able to organise any transport, but encourage people to use public transport to attend.

  • Jeremy Hallett:

    I am organising a Hustings on Sunday June 23rd for East Grinstead & Uckfield constituency. 4 PPC’s confirmed so far. The venue is still being sorted, but one thing we have to do is not favour a party so if you can have a wording that doesn’t do so for a question or let us have a comment on each parties manifesto effectiveness that would be great.

    03 Jun 2024 13:03:00

  • Sussex Wildlife Trust:

    Thank you for letting us know, this is great to hear. We will be in contact about a question. Please do let us know when the location and time is confirmed.

  • Miss Jane Pereira:

    ancient woodlands should not be cut down for any reason. They must be double protected.They should be supported for local communities to protect. They are bought and sold for commercial purposes , surely those days are gone. Keep what woodland we have left. they should be allowed to be wild and not coppiced etc. let the woodland look after itself. Not able to attend this time.

    10 Jun 2024 17:40:00

  • Kate Frankland:

    Local hustings meeting arranged for Tuesday 18th June 7.30pm at East Dean Church, east Dean NEAR EASTBOURNE. Maria Caulfield for Conservative and James McCleary for Lib.Dems have confirmed their availability so far.

    18 Jun 2024 21:47:00

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