Climate change adaptation, naturally
Thursday 16th September 2010
The Wildlife Trusts respond to report on climate change
The Wildlife Trusts have today welcomed the recommendations in the report from The Adaptation Sub-Committee (ASC) of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) that emphasise the part nature has to play in climate change adaptation.
The report, How well prepared is the UK for climate change? looks at how we can plan, and take action, to mitigate the impacts of climate change upon the UK population.
Paul Wilkinson, head of Living Landscape for The Wildlife Trusts, said:
“The Wildlife Trusts believe that nature should be at the very heart of climate change adaptation, so it’s encouraging to see the ASC’s report has taken account of this.
“Protecting and restoring our natural environment and ecosystems is important in its own right, but it also produces a range of other services that can help people and wildlife to adapt. Flood prevention, crop pollination, carbon absorption, clean and healthy water sources – these benefits of our natural environment must all be considered and maximised upon as we prepare for the effects of a changing climate.
“The loss of National Indicators* and the associated plans might be considered a setback, but we need to protect the healthy ecosystems we already have, and put nature back onto the map, linking our protected sites into the wider countryside. The ASC’s recommendations, along with the coming Review of England’s Ecological Networks and the Natural Environment White Paper provide the chance to take a strategic approach. We should ensure we have a new vision for our natural landscape, and the framework to make this a reality.
“Nature will take its course whatever decisions we make – but in order for wildlife, and ourselves, to cope with climate change, we must work with it, and harness its benefits.”
Story by RSWT