News / Environment
Calling on the government to protect nature at all costs
Protesters on College Green held up banners with powerful messages in support of protecting wildlife and green spaces.
The gathering on Monday evening brought together like-minded people from across the region to College Green.
The protest follows an online campaign launched by the RSPB called #AttackOnNature.
is needed now More than ever
The conservation charity took action after a recently outlined bill could slash existing environmental laws.
These particular laws are in place to legally protect wildlife, waterways and green spaces.
Tay Aziz organised the Bristol protest against the government’s ‘attack on nature’ – photo: Rachel Sutherland
As part of the government’s mini budget, chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng also announced further plans to create at least 38 ‘investment zones’ across England.
This means housing and commercial developments could damage local nature with little or no restriction.
Tay Aziz organised this evening’s protest. The 28-year-old said: “RSPB has been amazing at leading #AttackOnNature and calling on people to write to their local MPs.
“I wanted to come out and do something together to spread the word and to raise awareness.
“The fact is this isn’t just about nature and wildlife. It doesn’t matter if you’re not into nature, this relaxed planning the government is setting out impacts people and the lives people have created in these areas.
“Their plans will create sewage in our waterways and will affect air quality too.
“It’s not just going to impact wildlife but people. Especially people who are living on the breadline and people who belong to ethnic minority communities. Statistically, poor air quality affects black and brown people the most.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, everybody needs clean air to breathe and access to green spaces.”
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Read more: Is Bristol prepared for the Clean Air Zone?
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Sophie Keats attended the protest to show her support. The 32-year-old conservation charity worker told Bristol24/7: “I’m here to find solidarity and because all other normal channels of making change aren’t working.
“I want the government to acknowledge the importance of natural systems and I want a leadership which reflects the social need of protecting the environment.
“As a society we’re up against so much at the moment, so much so that it’s scary to think that protecting nature probably will come as an afterthought.
“If people can’t afford to pay bills and to warm their houses, how can we begin to think about wildlife?
“This is just one more thing the government has dropped the ball on and it’s embarrassing.”
The RSPB is urging people who care about wildlife, the environment and green spaces in their area to write to their local MP asking them to protect nature in their area.
Main photo: Rachel Sutherland
Read next:
- Surge of support for campaign to tackle sewage pollution in River Avon
- Council blocks hopes of securing ‘special bathing water status’ for Bristol beauty spot
- Environmental activists ‘hijack’ billboard to criticise WECA on public transport
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