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Biodiversity challenge - no time for complacency
1 December 2003
Friends of the Earth today warned that the positive progress so far made to conserve the country's wild species and habitats is still insufficient to meet the challenge at hand.
According to a Government report published today some species, such as Jackdaws and Wood Pigeons, have increased while others, such as Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, have drastically declined.
Friends of the Earth says that although some animals and plants appear to be coping with the rapid environmental changes taking place across the country, many species and habitats remain under intense pressure. Some threats to biodiversity are likely to escalate as development pressures intensify in some parts of the country and as climate change takes hold. Future changes to farming, including the widely opposed growing of genetically modified crops, could also place increased futurepressure on already ailing farmland wildlife populations.
Friends of the Earth's Director, Tony Juniper, said:
"The biodiversity challenge is still there and it is vast. Saving the country's wild animals, plants and places must be a priority at the centre of government. Some good progress has been made in helping some species and habitats, but much more needs to be done. The action taken to date must be regarded as the beginning, and not the end of what is required. If we are to hand on to our grandchildren the incredible natural wealth found in our islands, then far more is needed. In this respect we must maintain strong and independent public bodies to champion the cause of wildlife and ensure that all policies are assessed for the impacts they will have on biodiversity".
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jun 2008
