A Focus On Nature, A Vision For Nature
AFON
Vision for Nature : Politics
It is often said that young people are not interested in politics. Some even go as far to say that young people are apathetic about politics. I would disagree, and I would disagree profoundly. I have seen my Facebook and Twitter feeds filled with posts from my contempories discussing Brexit, Theresa May as our new Prime Minister and Jeremy Corbyn’s position. There are a variety of views expressed, and debates have appeared in the replies with sources of evidence to back up their opinions. Then the #VisionforNature report was published.
In this report, young people have laid out their vision for the natural world in 2050, and the very first section (pages 13 – 15) discusses Politics and Economics.
Our top recommendation is:
The UK Government to bring out a 250-year plan for nature that achieves our vision by 2050, then sets out how nature will be maintained for centuries to come.
We are also calling for:
- A legal recognition that UK governments are holding the natural environment in trust for young people and future generations, and that they have a duty not only to protect it, but improve it.
- Legally binding targets for reversing the decline of and kickstarting the recovery of UK nature, to be met every 5 years.
- A nature ombudsman (such as an Office for Environmental Responsibility) who would scrutinise all government legislation for its impact on or benefits for, the natural environment. They would advise government and propose new policies for incorporating the value of nature in decision-making.
- Financial and material contributions from the UK to developing countries that increase year on year to support nature conservation efforts abroad.
- Youth policy forums and hearings organised by Paliamentary select committees in order to ensure that young people’s and future generations’ concerns are part of all Government decision-making.
- Funding for local authorities to employ ecologists to inform planning applications and make sure new developments are as ecologically beneficial as possible, as well as identifying opportunities to improve and connect natural habitats.
I didn’t think that I would be inspired by the politics section. I will admit to not having engaged with politics until relatively recently. I have grown up seeing the expenses scandal, a number of wars abroad and the recession. I haven’t seen how politicians have been working for the people who elected them.
However, since my involvement with A Focus On Nature, I have become more interested in the work that politicians do. I keep an eye on the decisions taken by the environment secretary, which has led me to hearing more about the work of other politicians. I have come to realise that there are politicians who are doing their best to represent their constituency, and importantly, politicians who are working to represent the natural world. Albeit that the government has postponed their 25-year plan for nature that they promised during the general election.
Having attended the launch of the Response for Nature and Rich in Nature reports in the last couple of months, I know that the conservation organisations are working hard on behalf of wildlife and the environment. I have even met some politicians who have impressed me (and some who haven’t).
With the launch of #VisionforNature, I know that there are young people who won’t be apathetic about politics. A number of A Focus On Nature members have met with, or written to, their MPs. Some members even have their own political campaigns. I feel inspired and motivated by them, and I hope you do too. So let your local political representative know about #VisionforNature, write to them or even meet with them about how they can help the natural world.