In late September our new government launched an all-out attack on nature. Yes, you read that right... wildlife, in their view, is responsible for our poorly performing economy.

So, laws and policy which give business certainty and a level playing field, which provide us with confidence that food is free from harmful pesticides, water is safe to drink and swim in, air is fit to breathe and treasured wildlife is protected from destruction, are to be swept aside so that economic growth can solve all our problems.

Never mind the promises of a green Brexit and a Conservative manifesto commitment to have the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on Earth.

All retained EU environmental law will go by 31st December 2023, without factoring in the huge scale of reviewing thousands of complex laws and the parliamentary time to replace them.

At least 38 Investment Zones, with severely weakened planning rules allowing housing and commercial developments to damage nature and heritage, were announced. Do you live in or near one of those zones? Better check because two are proposed for Solihull and Warwickshire. Completing an alarming hat trick, the government is also thinking about U-turning and scrapping a scheme to support farmers and landowners to enhance nature, create space for rare species and habitats, and use their land to absorb carbon and work towards net zero.

“Lies!” cried some MPs. A marketing ploy said others. But true enough for Michael Gove, William Hague and other senior MPs to write separate letters in The Times urging the government not to ditch green Brexit reforms to billions of pounds in agricultural subsidies, and to reward landowners for environmental improvements instead of how much land they own.

What can you do?

If you are happy that more than one in ten species are at risk of dying out and hedgehogs and red squirrels may disappear forever. If you agree that nature is a barrier to economic growth and there’s no connection between food security and a healthy environment. If you are not worried that every river and lake in England currently fails chemical pollution standards and only 16% are classed in good ecological condition, then do nothing.

But if you are angry about this, and terrified the government is making things even worse, then share that anger with your MP and local Councillor. Join #DefendNature and take action for nature by telling the government how you feel about their policies. Tell all the political parties too, demand from them a better, responsible and inspiring approach… tell them all what sort of environment you expect.

Visit this page for links and guidance on contacting your MP and local councillor and help us to #DefendNature

Find out more about how you can help on our Defend Nature page.