Cornwall Wildlife Trust Launches Major Campaign Ahead of Next General Election

To prioritise nature and climate issues, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust has announced its most significant campaign to date, urging the future Members of Parliament (MPs) in Cornwall to champion environmental causes. This call to action comes at a critical juncture, with the next general election poised to play a pivotal role in determining the trajectory of environmental conservation efforts in the region.

With the looming 2030 deadline to meet crucial environmental targets for combating climate change and reversing nature’s decline, the Trust emphasises the urgency of the situation. It aims to mobilise public support across Cornwall by encouraging residents to sign an open letter. This letter appeals to prospective MPs to prioritise nature in their legislative agenda, highlighting the necessity for immediate and impactful action.

The campaign articulates five key demands, including the restoration of lost wildlife, addressing water pollution, and integrating nature into the heart of community life. The Trust aims to gather at least 6,000 signatures to underscore the community’s commitment to these environmental issues.

The campaign is notably supported by voices from across Cornwall, including Edward Rowe, known as ‘Kernow King’, who narrates the campaign’s launch video. Esteemed personalities such as contemporary artist Kurt Jackson and novelist Patrick Gale have also endorsed the campaign, reflecting a wide-ranging call for political action on environmental concerns.

In addition to the digital campaign, Cornwall Wildlife Trust is organising six nature and climate hustings across Cornwall’s parliamentary constituencies. These events will provide a platform for the electorate to engage with candidates on their environmental policies and to voice their concerns directly.

Cheryl Marriott, the Director of Nature and People at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, stresses the significance of the upcoming election for environmental policy. She notes the vital window of opportunity that exists up to 2030 for restoring nature and addressing climate change, marking this election as potentially the most crucial for nature in our lifetimes.

The campaign draws on research from The Wildlife Trusts, which indicates a bipartisan connection among voters to nature and its importance for wellbeing. This universal value placed on environmental health underscores the campaign’s call for cross-party support for nature and climate policies.

As Cornwall approaches this pivotal election, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s campaign represents a significant effort to ensure that environmental issues remain at the forefront of political discourse, aiming to secure a commitment from future MPs to prioritise the health of Cornwall’s natural landscapes and wildlife.

Visit the Cornwall Wildlife Trust website for more information.