Stopping biodiversity loss in Wales - urgent action at the end of this article
2010 will be the International Year of Biodiversity, a time to celebrate the variety of life in Wales. The plant and animal species that make up our wildlife and their habitats are important for so many reasons, whether it be social, cultural or economic. A healthy Welsh natural environment makes a critical contribution to us as our life support system which we often never think about. In addition to the practical reasons for conserving biodiversity, it enriches our lives and there is a very strong ethical case for not destroying other forms of life that share the principality with us.
In 2001, EU Heads of State set a target to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010, and the National Assembly set out its own outcomes to meet this target in their 20 year Environment Strategy for Wales [ESW]:
- The loss of biodiversity has been halted and we can see a definite recovery in the number, range and genetic diversity of species, including those species that need very specific conditions to survive
- The wider environment is more favourable to biodiversity through appropriate management, reduced habitat fragmentation and increased extent and interconnectivity of habitats
- Sites of international, Welsh and local importance are in favourable condition to support the species and habitats for which they have been identified
- Our seas are clean and support healthy ecosystems that are biologically diverse, productive and managed sustainably
As we approach 2010 it is now widely acknowledged that this ambitious commitment will not be met and we are still losing biodiversity at an alarming rate. As the International Year of Biodiversity draws closer, it would be a tragedy to let it pass without questioning why we have been unable to stop this catastrophic loss.
Wales Environment LINK, for which the Wildlife Trusts are a member, and the RSPB have launched a petition, which calls on the National Assembly for Wales to hold an inquiry to look at the reasons why the 2010 target will be missed and to make recommendations to the next administration on how we can meet the ESW outcomes to have brought about recovery by 2026.
By following the link below and adding your name to the petition, you can help us make the Assembly Government face the fact that we are still losing our wildlife and urge them to ensure we meet their outcome to have recovery of biodiversity underway by 2026.
If you are able, you can also write to your Assembly Member and urge them to sign the petition. You can find out who your Assembly Member is by visiting http://www.assemblywales.org/memhome/member-search.htm