 |
| (Pic : Centre for Ecology & Hydrology) |
It's worth recognising what we might lose: no more common woodpeckers hammering away, no breeding pairs of willow tits, no choughs/chuffs– whether hiding in a dense forest, or their wings out flapping in a stiff breeze.
In a related matter, a recent decision by the Welsh Government to approve limited commercial scallop dredging in sensitive parts of Cardigan Bay resulted in an unprecedented outburst by BBC & S4C nature presenter, Iolo Williams, who described AMs as "parasites".
He knows the subject inside-out and perhaps wasn't picky in his targets amidst a red mist. It's not as if AMs haven't spoken out on biodiversity before, with "sustainability" being the favourite buzzword in Cardiff Bay. However, talk is cheap and politicians don't always practice what they preach when it comes to the environment – both individually and collectively.
The motion for this cross-party members debate called for the Senedd to:
- Welcome the State of Nature report and commend the work of the report's authors, but express concern at the report's findings that:
- 56% of recorded species are in decline across the UK
- 1 in 14 native Welsh species are at risk of extinction
- 56% of wild plant species, 60% of butterfly species and 40% of bird species are in decline
- More than a third of known sea vertebrate and plant life, and three quarters of sea invertebrates, are in decline in UK waters
- Call on the Welsh Government to to ensure that reversing these declines in biodiversity is at the heart of "sustainability" policies.
Simon Thomas AM (Plaid, Mid & West Wales) found the report difficult to accept because what it had to say is disappointing, with blame on everyone in society for not taking the issue seriously (clip). It was frightening reading for anyone wishing their children and grandchildren to have same experiences as themselves, and there's a real risk we'll will lose native species that make a contribution at a global level.
The onus is to respond positively to the challenges, and the report had some good news. The fact we impact habitats also means we have the tools to do something via two major laws passed by the Assembly (Future Generations Act and Environment Act) – but it needs leadership. Simon highlighted the scallop dredging decision as bad policy, and the reintroduction of his champion animal* - pine martens - to Ceredigion which are helping to keep grey squirrels under control as a positive policy.
Sian Gwenllian AM (Plaid, Arfon) again said government needs to take action as some culturally and economically important species have disappeared or are at threat of disappearing completely (clip). How can we explain to future generations that they'll never see nightingales and turtle doves in Wales? The report offers ideas on take action, but it's clear climate change is leading to loss of habitats and effective soil, with the authors calling on governments to looking at improving farming land management and cutting carbon emissions by 80% by 2050.
Vikki Howells AM (Lab, Cynon Valley) focused on marine conservation (clip). The sea around Wales is rich in marine life, as it's at the boundary between three oceanic climate zones and has a large tidal range. Also, a recent WWF report on the Celtic Seas says they're worth £15bn to the UK, Irish and French economies and support 400,000 jobs.
The long term decline of marine invertebrates in particular is very worrying, but some conservation measures are having positive outcomes – the Ramsey Island's grey seals are experiencing their highest number of pup births. Vikki also believes Brexit needs to be taken into consideration as EU fisheries and marine strategies set targets for governments to create healthy and productive seas; she supports the idea of the Welsh Government committing to maintaining these targets post-Brexit.
Angela Burns AM (Con, Carms. W. & S. Pembs.) believes the report will be invaluable in scrutinising the Welsh Government, but she was more concerned about the global situation (clip). Wild animals are expected to fall by 2/3 by 2020, with a 58% plummet between 1970-2012. Human activity will have killed off 67% of Earth animals by 2020, rising to 81% in rivers and lakes. All these losses will be magnified by global warming.
There is some good news, with panda and tiger numbers increasing, but whatever we do here will count. We can't celebrate just yet because the new US President believes global warming is a Chinese conspiracy; Angela's voice started cracking when she asked, "Will our children have a planet left to live on?"
John Griffiths AM (Lab, Newport East) is the champion for the water vole, which has seen a 95% decline over the last century – the most serious drop of any wild animal on Great Britain (clip). Habitat loss is main factor, as well as water extraction/pollution and intensive agriculture's impact on ditches. Clear laws are vital, but they need to be implemented as effectively as possible. Despite careful management, voles are under threat in the Gwent Levels due to the proposed M4 Newport bypass, which will be a "major test" of legislation, and John hoped the impact on wildlife will be adequately factored into decision-making.
Chair of the Environment Committee, Mark Reckless AM (UKIP, South Wales East), noted another report from Natural Resources Wales (clip). Both reports progressed in parallel without enough cross-cutting work, but the timing meant NRW couldn't engage with various organisations as they should have. This independent approach is important so the Welsh Government "doesn't mark its own homework" on biodiversity.
Julie Morgan AM (Lab, Cardiff North) raised the importance of native species and green spaces in urban areas, which not only protect wildlife but the heath and well being of the human population (clip). Her champion species - waxcap fungi – played an important role in the campaign to save the Llanishen reservoir from development. Because 29 species of fungi were present, the area has been designated a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI). As a result, NRW and Dwr Cymru and planning to refill the reservoir and manage grasslands.
Rhun ap Iorwerth AM (Plaid, Ynys Mon) said wildlife needs room to prosper and SSSIs are a natural and national treasure, with every £1 spent on SSSI management resulting in an investment of £8 (clip). RSPB sites on Anglesey are popular with visitors and local people, with at risk species breeding on Anglesey for the first time. Rhun is the Assembly's chough champion; choughs needing habitats that are hard and rocky, making the Anglesey coast ideal. It was important to monitor these sites so proper provision is made for the species they were set up to protect.
Mark Isherwood AM (Con, North Wales) champions the curlew, which are now listed as near-threatened in Wales and vulnerable to extinction at a European level (clip); this is a result of a reduction in habitat and habitat quality. Blanket bogs provide homes to rare plants, invertebrates and birds, but human activity - like drainage - is damaging them. Moors in north Wales now support large numbers of of curlews, but breeding pairs are becoming scarce.
Joyce Watson AM (Lab, Mid & West Wales) was happy to read of gains in some species numbers and reversals in declines (clip). As elected representatives, AMs act as guardians of the environment, but they shouldn't want declines to be a legacy of their work. There's a particular need to work more with farmers, but land management is only possible through Welsh Government and EU funding, which has been put at risk following Brexit.
Environment & Rural Affairs Secretary, Lesley Griffiths (Lab, Wrexham), thanked the authors for the report and praised the work of conservation volunteers around Wales (clip). The report wasn't all negative, with some species – like bats and half of marine species in UK waters – recovering. There's a commitment to reversing declines, but this will only be achieved by embedding biodiversity in policy at all levels. Wales is now seen as an international exemplar in biodiversity, air pollution and noise pollution thanks to the legislative framework put in place during the Fourth Assembly.
The related NRW report shows pressures and opportunities for development of natural resources, and NRW will produce regional reports to show areas requiring action at a local level. The Welsh Government are also committed to Wales contributing to a well managed network of marine conservation areas. Talks on post-Brexit funding and policy are ongoing with the UK Government, but current commitments currently only last until 2020 – after that we don't know what will happen.
Summing up, Huw Irranca-Davies AM (Lab, Ogmore) said everyone has to work doubly harder to keep the global focus on this (clip). His champion species, the lapwing, is a distilled example that captures the debate; they used to be seen all year long over Wales, but are now rare and special. Our approach needs a rethink to restore a world of which we are "stewards and not masters", using intelligent farming as well as things like natural floodplains. Everyone agrees there's only one direction of travel to repair a damaged ecosystem, and the need to hand over a healing but healthy planet to future generations.
The motion was unanimously approved.
* The 60 most endangered species in Wales have been designated a "champion" in the Assembly by the Wildlife Trust.
0 comments:
Post a Comment