Restore Nature Now

in Environment, Latest News

Over 300 organizations that have some aspect of care of nature in their activities encouraged their supporters to attend the Restore Nature Now march on 22 June in London. So the range of people was diverse, from National Trust, RSPB, RHS, Woodland Trust, Save our Oceans, to Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil, and localised conservation projects. The groups assembled on Park Lane in four blocs: woodlands, water, air and land. This meant that there were distinctive themes that onlookers could see as the march progressed along to Piccadilly, then round an edge of Trafalgar Square to Whitehall and Parliament Square, where there was a portable stage. With between 80,000 and 100,000 people, there were far too many to be contained in Parliament Square, so there were relay speakers and screens on Whitehall.  Felix and Hugh travelled up from Hilfield, and joined with a Christian bloc that had particularly chosen to march in the ‘land’ section; a pre-march church service near the start at the route was very well attended. Maureen had offered to be a steward, which meant being out on the route for longer, and wearing a hi-viz pink vest.

The aim of the march was indicate to whoever the next government will be that there needs to be more support for farmers, who manage 70% of UK land, to help them farm in more environmentally friendly and protective ways; to make polluters pay – ie to stop pollution, promote climate recovery, and to end new fossil fuels; provide more protected space for nature; put the right to a healthy environment into law, and to ensure fair and effective climate action.

The organisers of the march expect to have to keep reminding the government of these requirements for nature, so if you are interested in joining a march in future, keep an eye on a website of a conservation organisation.