At Petersfield Eco Fair in July more than 50 children took the opportunity to spend some time collaging or colouring a canary, thinking about what actions they were hoping for from their MP.
Why a canary? The phrase ‘canary in a coal mine’ is used today to mean an advance warning of trouble ahead, making it a vivid metaphor for climate change and the trouble brewing as a result.
These beautiful canaries were left at the Fair by their proud creators, to be sent on to their MP with postcards telling him of their concerns. Their migration to the House of Commons was slow, but we are pleased to say that we have received a reply from Damian Hinds, printed below. Beneath his letter you will find PeCAN trustee Rachel Ritchie's response.
Good morning,
Firstly, thank you so much for the package of yellow canaries and apologies again for the delay in responding to you.
The words on all of the canaries, whilst simple, were a powerful summary of what we need to do to protect our natural environment –recycle more, look after our animals, birds, insects and their habitats, don’t drop litter, protect our trees, take better care of the planet. Please do pass on my thanks to all the children who took the time to write such thoughtful notes to me.
As you point out in your letter, we must continue to take action to protect our community and planet from climate change. There is a clear role for me as your local MP in holding the new government to account to make sure they do just that.
In terms of the policy position, the Environment Act 2021 requires a binding target to be set to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030, as a core part of the UK’s commitment to leave the environment in a better state than we found it.
Other targets through the Environment Act include improving the Red List Index for England for species extinction risk by 2042, as well as restoring or creating over 500,000 hectares of a range of wildlife-rich habitats outside protected sites by 2042. The Act also introduces a requirement to demonstrate biodiversity net gain on all development sites. I will continue to monitor this closely and will press the government if I feel they are falling short.
Further, I know that local nature recovery strategies (LNRS) are key to restoring nature. 48 responsible authorities (including Hampshire County Council) have been appointed to lead on preparing a local nature recovery strategy for their area. These authorities are supported by £14 million of funding and will work closely with landowners, farmers and land managers in preparing the strategies. This includes identifying areas where conserving and restoring biodiversity is a priority. More details about the Hampshire County Council LNRS can be found on their website.
On the global stage, we took a large step forward at COP15 where nearly 200 countries supported a new deal to protect nature. The agreement included a global commitment to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and also to protect 30 per cent of land and oceans by 2030.
Please be in no doubt that I will do all I can to protect our natural environment and secure its future for our children.
With best wishes,
Damian
Dear Mr Hinds,
Thank you for your response.
In your role as MP, as you say, holding the government to account in taking action to protect our community and planet from climate change, we will be looking to you to support a number of Bills, particularly the Great British Energy Bill and the Local Power Plan to further community energy and local renewable energy production.
In addition, we ask that you use your position as MP to counter the climate misinformation being spread by some of your colleagues. What do you think is the right approach for the party to take on net zero, both for the planet and for your election prospects? How should the party communicate about climate change and the science behind it?
We hope that you will attend the afternoon tea Parliamentary Reception, sponsored by Nadia Whittome MP, on Tuesday 8 October 2024 from 2-4pm, in the Terrace Pavilion, House of Commons. The event, hosted by the youth-led climate education campaign Teach the Future and Let's Go Zero, will focus on securing substantial new public funding for the retrofitting and rebuilding of schools across the UK. Your attendance and support would be appreciated.
As a teacher and PeCAN Education Lead, I hope you will choose to use your position as Shadow Education Secretary to support the inclusion of more climate and nature content in the national curriculum.
I look forward to your actions on these vital issues, which I will of course relay back to the young people of Petersfield and their families, via our newsletter and in my frequent school-based workshops. Your actions to protect our planet and secure its future, as you say, will be reassuring to both current and future constituents.
I look forward to your response outlining your intentions in these areas.
With thanks
Rachel Ritchie (on behalf of the children of Petersfield)