Guardian call for help to protect UK nature2 August 2010
The Guardian wants Friends of the Earth activists to add their voice to a new project to protect the UK's countryside and wildlife.
Piece by Piece aims to showcase local campaigns to protect the UK's natural habitats.
Every year tens of thousands of development schemes are put forward to build on or plough up the land for human use. Not all are a problem. But thousands would destroy natural habitats, drive out wildlife and create pollution.
In many cases, it's argued the effect will be small. But added together, they erode the clean air and water, fertile soil and web of living things that humans depend on.
The Guardian's Piece by Piece project aims to draw attention to this death by thousands of cuts by collecting evidence from across the country. The paper wants to make a powerful case that these developments add up to a devastating national picture, and showcase local groups and campaigns that aim to preserve biodiversity against ill-conceived development projects.
Friends of the Earth believes it's time for politicians to stop blaming the planning system, which has a positive role in restoring nature and in proper scrutiny of developers' plans. We also want communities to have a proper role in planning decisions, not just a token right to speak up only after the main issues have been decided.
To find out more, see the map of projects so far, and 'Add your piece', visit the Piece by Piece website.
© jmtimages
