The issue - giving everyone a voice
The issue - giving everyone a voice
Nature in the UK is in crisis. Decades of damage have pushed our incredible wildlife and wild places to the brink. 38 million birds have vanished from our skies in the last 50 years, 97% of our wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930s, and a quarter of all our mammals are at risk of extinction. We’ve lost so much, we’re now one of the 10% most nature-depleted countries in the world.
The nature crisis affects everyone, so everyone should have a say about how we solve it. That’s why with our partners at the National Trust and the RSPB, we’ve run the biggest citizen-led conversation about nature in the UK.
The solution - a plan created by the people, for the people
The solution - a plan created by the people, for the people
In September 2022, we invited everyone from across the UK to share why nature mattered to them, and what their vision was for the future. We received over 30,000 responses filled with hopes and fears for the amazing wildlife and wild places that we call home.
Next, we brought together 103 people representing the population of the UK together in the People’s Assembly for Nature to find common ground on the solutions to the nature crisis.
This group of ordinary people from across the UK were given an intensive course in the causes, drivers and solutions to the nature crisis. They discussed the issues and debated what changes we need to make – whether that’s governments, local councils, businesses, charities or as individuals. After four weekends, they agreed a series of key actions that they wanted to see taken forward: the People’s Plan for Nature.
The results - Turning a plan into action
The results - Turning a plan into action
Our leaders want to hear from the public, which is why citizens’ assemblies are so powerful. Taking part in a citizens assembly can be a tranformational experience too, with many of the assembly members reporting that they feel more empowered to make and influence change in their daily lives. Since the Plan was published in March 2023, members of the People’s Assembly for Nature have:
- Met with Peers for the Planet and the Environment APPG, including Green MP Caroline Lucas.
- Met with the Environment Secretary, the Shadow Environment Secretary and the Leader of the Liberal Democrats.
- Met with Trudy Harrison, Minister for Natural Environment and Land Use, to call for a government response to the People’s Plan for Nature.
- Attended events with UK business leaders, taking part in panel discussions with businesses and farmers.
- Spoken at cross-sector environmental events, like the Big One XR demonstration in April 2023.
- Been interviewed on national TV, radio and in print, as well as on the Reasons to be Cheerful podcast and mentioned on the Outrage & Optimisim podcast.
- Joined the Northumbria Water Innovation Festival to explore how business, citizens and communities can get involved in managing and protecting their local rivers and catchment areas.
- Taken action in their own lives, from new jobs and diet changes to volunteering and taking action at home.
Over 40,000 people have added their name in support of the People’s Plan for Nature, and over 20,000 people have written to their MP asking them to champion the Plan. Organisations including the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission and the Church of England have already published responses to the plan. WWF, along with the National Trust and the RSPB, have published a full response to the plan and the action WWF will take to drive forward the calls to action.