Thread by @ScientistsX

*BREAKING*
Members of @ScientistsX are protesting outside @DefraGovUK demanding that @GOVUK stops its #AttackOnNature and takes immediate action to halt biodiversity loss in the UK.

A thread on why we're taking action today 🧵

#NoNatureNoFuture

Among those taking part are leading experts in ecology and conservation science.

Some of the scientists pasted posters calling attention to the dramatic declines in UK species onto the windows of @DefraGovUK headquarters.

2/n

Wildlife is in crisis in the UK, we are now one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world!

According to Prof. @AndyPurvisNHM from @NHM_London the UK has "led the world in degrading the natural environment"

This cannot continue!

3/n
nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/…

Over 1,000 species are now assessed as threatened with extinction in the UK! Including 1 in 4 mammals such as hedgehogs, dormice and water voles.

Over 40% of UK species have had declines in their population since 1970!

4/n
nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/…

But @GOVUK is failing to act to protect nature!

❌981 ancient woodlands have been lost or permanently damaged since 2000!🌳

❌Only 38% of protected SSSI areas are in a healthy state!🦇

❌All rivers in England are now polluted!🦢

And on & on the destruction grows...

5/n

The @GOVUK keep failing to meet their promised goals:
❌Failed to reach 17/20 UN biodiversity targets

❌Only met 4/15 of the UK Marine Strategy’s indicators of healthy oceans

❌So far has only protected 5% of land despite a target of 30% by 2030

6/n
rspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb…

The @GOVUK have systematically failed to prioritise nature protection:

❌Funding for protection services provided by @EnvAgency has been cut by 50% over the past decade

❌Public sector investment in conservation was cut by 33% in real terms

7/n
theguardian.com/environment/20…

Our protest isn't directed at @DefraGovUK staff who work to do what they can & to whom we've written.
We're calling on @theresecoffey,@hmtreasury & @10DowningStreet to take responsibility for repeated failures to uphold commitments to protect nature
scientistsforxr.earth/letter-to-defra
9/9

Are you a scientist interested in taking part or supporting our future actions?

You can join an introductory meeting about @ScientistsX on zoom next Wednesday (30th Nov) at 7pm GMT.
us02web.zoom.us/j/85106583197?…
10/10

You can read more about the action, including quotes from some of the scientists taking part, in this press release:

extinctionrebellion.uk/2022/11/25/bre…

#NoNatureNoFuture
Ends