On Wednesday 29th June, a group of The Wildlife Trusts’ youth ambassadors handed in a 60,000-strong petition, and over 10,000 personal views shared by the public, all calling for more ambitious Government targets to halt and reverse nature’s decline.

The Government will soon set legally binding targets for nature’s recovery. This is urgently needed because the UK is one of the most wildlife-depleted countries in the world and habitat loss and degradation continue to blight people’s lives and affect nature’s ability to store carbon.

The long-term target currently being proposed for nature’s recovery aims to have just 10% more nature in 2042 than 2030 levels – by which time the state of our natural world is expected to have declined even further. The Wildlife Trusts have written a letter to the Prime Minister expressing serious concern and calling instead for a 20% increase on 2022 levels.

The Wildlife Trusts invited responses to the recent public consultation on the Environment Act targets. Over 60,000 people backed The Wildlife Trust’s view that the target is far too low.

Young people will suffer most from the consequences of continued nature declines in their lives. The youth ambassadors that handed in the petition include author, activist and The Wildlife Trusts’ ambassador, Mya-Rose Craig, and nine other youth ambassadors from different parts of the UK, including Megan and Charlie, members of Suffolk Wildlife Trust's Youth Board.

Megan, 17, from Suffolk Wildlife Trust's Youth Board, says:

"In my area of Suffolk, the destruction of habitats and loss of endangered species continue to increase. However, the nature crisis does not only threaten one region of the UK, but the entire country. This is why I’m proud to represent the voices of everyone concerned about the future of our natural environment, and hope the government will take action now to recover biodiversity, before it becomes too late."

Lily Leatherland, 16, youth ambassador for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, says:

“I am beyond excited and grateful to represent the many people who have given their comments. I pray that those at Downing Street will hear our opinions, demands and concerns and take them seriously - as we owe it to Nature.”

Matt Newbould, 19, youth ambassador for Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, says:

“I come from a small town called Southam, one of many which has been first-hand witness to the decline of wildlife caused by environmental destruction. That's why I'm taking part in this campaign, to help bring forward the voices of those witnessing the impacts of the climate and nature crisis to those in power to help them understand that they are not acting fast enough.”

Mia Coss, 20, youth ambassador for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, says:

“I'm so proud to represent everyone who has taken the time to give their opinion on the Environment Act targets laid out by the government. With biodiversity and ecological stability massively under threat in this country, it's so important that we have ambitious laws. Hopefully, in presenting the government with comments from thousands of people across the UK, we can highlight the need to act now to improve environmental protections.”

We're so proud of Megan and Charlie for taking part in such an important day and standing up for nature! 

Find our more about our Youth Board here!