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Five reasons to be hopeful

There’s a lot of doom and gloom in the world right now.

You only need to turn on the TV or look at your phone to see news of wildfires blazing, bird flu spreading, or governments weakening environmental protections.

But every day, whatever the news, Wildlife Trust supporters, volunteers and staff take action to help nature recover. We know that we face huge challenges, but we find energy to keep going. How? Because we have hope.

We asked five Wildlife Trust staff to share what makes them feel hopeful in the face of the nature and climate emergencies.

Arran Wilson and his dog in a canoe

Arran Wilson (Youth Activism Manager)

I think the thing that gives me the most hope is how nature makes me feel. No matter what might be going on in my life, no matter how busy I am or how anxious I’m feeling, when I go out into nature, I always feel refreshed. There’s something about being in a wild space that helps me put everything into perspective. I go on long walks with my dog every single day, and during weekends I try to go climbing, surfing, hiking or just explore a new green space near my home. It just makes me feel great and that is what gives me hope!

We know that being out in nature is good for us, we know that nature could play a huge role in helping people with mental health issues and so I am hopeful that the more we learn and the more we share, the more people will discover about the benefits of protecting our land and seas. 

Emma Lowe

Emma Lowe (Marine Conservation Officer)

For me, when outside-world issues are pressing on my mind, the simple act of visiting the sea brings me hope. I’m very lucky to live by the coast and it’s something I try to take advantage of as much as possible. There is no better feeling for me than dipping my toes in the sea in winter, summer, rain or shine. Reconnecting with the ocean and the species and habitats I’m working to protect reminds me of what we are fighting for.

One of the best ways for me to connect with the sea is by taking part in a Shoresearch survey with the North Wales Wildlife Trust. There is nothing like joining a group of likeminded volunteers on a rocky shore and recording all the species we find. There is a surprise on every beach we survey. Lately, I’ve seen cuttlefish eggs, a recently molted edible crab and masses of honeycomb worm reef. What’s more inspiring is knowing that I’m not alone, as well as the community of volunteers along the North Wales coast there are also volunteers helping monitor the coastline all around the UK.

It’s easy to get weighed down by the doom and gloom but when I hear the swish of waves hitting the shore, I remember that there are good new stories out there. We will soon have our first Highly Protected Marine Areas (the very best level of protection of our seas) and Humpback whales are ever more present in the southwest indicating a recovering population. 

The ocean is the last frontier on Earth to be fully explored and it is exciting to take part in that discovery.

Andy Charles-O'Callaghan (Campaigns and Communications Officer, Wales)

Andy Charles-O'Callaghan (Campaigns and Communications Officer, Wales)

There are a lot of things that make me feel hopeful in the world, and many of them also keep me sane! Seeing the recent boom in sea hares around the shores of Ynys Môn or being in the sea as terns dive for sand eels all make me feel that there is still wonder and hope in the world.

Though it often feels like governments around the world are not taking enough action to preserve wildlife, I feel most hopeful about the fact that some do, including my government here in Cymru. Yes, there are always things that can be done better, but in the last 8 years alone, the Senedd has passed laws including the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (2015), putting a responsibility on everyone to include generations to come in decisions taken today.

Recently, a Single Use Plastics (SUP) Bill has been introduced to phase out some of the worst SUPs including plastic plates, cutlery and straws, as well as a major decision to ban all new major road building projects on the grounds that they would contribute to further to future global warming.

Much of the doom and gloom around our planet stems from bad decisions in business and government, but here in Cymru we have a lot to celebrate and be proud of from our government, and that fills me with more hope than anything else. 

Swifts at dusk

Nick Upton

Joe Llanos (Public Affairs Officer)

It may sound simple, but for me something that gives me hope is the return of swifts each year! These remarkable birds spend most of their lives soaring above the skies of Africa, and visit us for a few short months in the summer to nest in the small holes in our rooftops. The return of swifts to my little part of the UK always fills me with hope, because they are a testament to keeping going even when facing tough odds!

Swifts do everything in the air, and from the time they leave our rooftop eaves around September to the moment they return next May, it’s unlikely that they will have landed even once. On their epic migration to and from sub-Saharan Africa, they can face many dangers, including storms, predators and difficulties finding food. So, the fact that these little explorers find their way back to our houses every year - and often the same pair will return to the very same nest - is really inspiring.

Sadly, swift numbers are currently in decline, likely due to several factors including the loss of their insect prey and a lack of nest spaces as roofs are sealed up. But despite this, there is even hope to be found here. Local swift volunteer groups have been popping up all over the country to give swifts the helping hand they need. It’s a great example of people coming together to tackle a bigger problem, and gives me hope that we can do the right thing when it comes to nature!

Meg Watts

Meg Watts (Equality Diversity and Inclusion Officer)

Watching Norfolk Wildlife Trust come together with local communities to co-create an urban nature reserve - Sweet Briar Marshes, brings me hope. Access to nature is at the heart of what we do, and the heart of what people want. It’s a joy to see so many people, all with different levels of confidence and knowledge, coming together to make our reserve wild and welcoming for all.

Seeing my fellow young people value and respect ourselves in our activism. We are working to improve the present so that a healthy, equitable future can exist. We will not allow ourselves to be overworked or burnt out; we will not allow systemically underprivileged people to be forgotten or ignored. Global climate and nature progress must be for everyone, or it is for no-one.

Finally, I find hope when I’m speaking, dreaming and organising with activists like Amit Singh of Health for a Green New Deal, Domi Palmer and Frances Fox of Climate Live, Martha Stringer of RYSE, Elizabeth Virkina of If Not Us, Then Who, Nadia Sheikh and Maria Fernandez of Right to Roam and Mikaela Loach. Our determination brings me hope. Our community brings me hope. When we are together, we are living in the world we want to be in. We are using our joy as an act of resistance, and as an act of strength. In these moments I know there is so much work to do, but I can’t help it: I feel unstoppable.

 

What makes you feel hopeful about the future?

Tell your loved one or your future self by writing a Letter to Tomorrow.

Letters to Tomorrow explain your hopes for future generations if our leaders step up to protect the environment – and your fears about what life could be like if we don’t slow down climate change.

Write your letter

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