I think you might have noticed that we have national elections in May 2015. Some members will also have local elections. In deciding how to vote, please take a good look at what the various parties are offering in the way of environmental policies. Should you find yourself talking to a candidate, take the opportunity to ask some questions e.g.
● Rapid climate change is the biggest threat to people and all forms of wildlife, so:
● What is your party policy on climate change? How are you going to try to reduce it?
● How will your party cope with the effects of climate change that are already with us and are inevitable e.g. a more variable climate, increased storminess and floods?
● What will your party do to encourage decisive international action including at the Conference of Parties in December 2015? This is the big UN-sponsored meeting which needs to take good action if we are to change the way all societies work in time to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
European Union
It is European legislation that provides the strongest protection to important wildlife site like the Dee and Mersey Estuaries and North Wirral Foreshore, and to the rarest species like great crested newts and bats. On the other hand, some European policies e.g. on Agriculture have been bad for wildlife. so:
● What is your party's attitude to remaining in Europe?
● European legislation of wildlife protection is currently transposed into British law. If the UK left the EU, would your party keep those laws and the strong protection they give? How would it keep such laws up to date?
● EU laws on pollution apply to industry and other polluters across Europe, making sure all keep to the same standards. If the UK left the EU would those standards be kept?
● What would your party do to improve European action to conserve wildlife?
Nationally
Funding cuts have hit hard Natural England and the Environment Agency.
● What would your party do to restore sufficient funding to Natural England and the Environment Agency and restore the expertise that has been lost during the funding cuts?
● Would your party fully implement the recommendations of the Forestry Commission review?
Locally (for councillors)
Funding cuts have hit many council departments hard, including Parks and Open Spaces.
● Will your party restore enough funding to make sure that valuable wildlife sites like Dibbinsdale, Heswall Dales, Bidston Hill and Caldy Hill or, for Cheshire West and Chester, Rivacre Valley and Wirral Way are properly managed with expert staff available?
● Wirral Borough: Will your party support and implement the Wirral Climate Strategy?
See www.wirral.gov.uk/climatestrategy for ideas on how you can help reduce your own carbon footprint.
The media are not giving good exposure to environmental matters, so it is up to us to take every opportunity to ask the questions, and use the answers to decide how to vote. Politicians are public servants elected to represent us.
Hilary Ash
