WITH the general election on July 4th looming, Somerset Wildlife Trust urges voters to prioritise environmental policies.

The Trust sees this election as a critical opportunity to tackle the pressing nature and climate crises.

Recent polling shows that environmental concerns are increasingly important to voters, with over half viewing these issues as crucial as other national challenges.

This sentiment is reflected locally, as Somerset's ecosystems face significant threats from climate change, land management practices, development, and pollution.

The Somerset State of Nature Report 2023, published by the Trust last December, reveals alarming trends including the 60% decline of fritillary butterflies from 1990 to 2021 — and butterfly distribution down by 874km² over 30 years.

Additionally, the number of ‘Good’ quality rivers in Somerset fell from 38 in 2009 to 21 in 2019.

While only 36% of the county's 128 Sites of Special Scientific Importance (SSSI) are assessed as favourable.

Somerset Wildlife Trust stresses that the upcoming election is critical for reversing nature's decline and addressing climate change.

The UK has committed to 2030 targets to halt nature's decline and protect 30% of land and sea, and these goals hinge on the actions taken by the government elected in this general election.

The next five years are also crucial for achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Georgia Dent, Chief Executive of Somerset Wildlife Trust, emphasises the urgency: “This general election needs to be a turning point for nature.

"With climate and nature emergencies already declared across the country, there has never been a more critical time to take positive action to reverse nature’s decline, reduce our carbon emissions, and invest in vital carbon sinks like healthy peatlands.”

“We need ambitious and passionate leaders to help protect our wildlife and reach the crucial target of having at least 30% of our land and sea connected and protected for nature by 2030. There are many issues on voters' minds this election, but the environment underpins everything else. A healthy natural environment is crucial for a healthy society, food production, and economy.

"It is vital that voters choose policies that protect and restore nature — and we’re asking as many people as possible to keep that in mind when they head to the polling stations on July 4th.”

To assist voters in making informed decisions, The Wildlife Trusts have provided summaries of what each political manifesto promises for nature and the environment.

These summaries cover the positions of the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Green Party, and Reform UK, and are available on the Somerset Wildlife Trust's website, as linked above.