Thousands of you have told politicians Nature Can’t Wait – thank you

The Nature Can’t Wait campaign began in September following the publication of the latest State of Nature report. The report said that 1,500 wildlife species we have data on are now threatened with extinction across England, Wales, and Scotland. In Northern Ireland 281 species are threatened with the same fate. Across the UK, only 14% of wildlife habitats are in good condition. The report made it very clear that time is running out. We can’t wait any longer. If we’re going to see change on the scale needed to protect and restore the UK’s wildlife and wild places, politicians must act now.

Since we launched, thousands of passionate people have spoken up for our natural world.  You have contacted politicians all across the UK directly, asking them to put in place the solutions which can help nature bounce back. The campaign had different asks for people living in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as each country has different laws and policies which impact nature in different ways.   

• In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, more than 18,200 people emailed their elected representatives. More than 2,200 also got in touch with politicians through X (formerly Twitter) to ask for immediate action to protect and restore nature.
• The response has meant every MP in England, every MLA in Northern Ireland and every MS in Wales have been emailed at least once about the campaign, with the average number received much higher than that. This sends a powerful message to politicians that nature matters to the people who elected them. 
• In Scotland we had a series of asks for people to choose from, and people came out in force. There was a big boost for our campaign to end industrial sandeel fishing in Scottish waters, resulting in over 11,000 people taking e-action. People signed up to our partnership campaigns, Farm for Scotland and Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest. And hundreds of people also visited our pages calling for action to protect birds of prey and to have a say on the Scottish Government’s plans to tackle the nature crisis.  
• Hundreds of people across the UK have also watched one of our webinars, which took a country specific look at the State of Nature report and how people can campaign effectively for nature. You can watch the webinars back here.

The only way nature across the UK is going to recover and then thrive is if enough passionate people speak up for it. By being part of the Nature Can’t Wait campaign you’ve done exactly that. Thank you. Together we have the power to persuade politicians to do the right thing for nature, and ourselves.

The e-actions for our Nature Can’t Wait Campaign have now closed, but there are many ways you can play a part in our Nature Can’t Wait campaign. For ideas, tips and advice, including how to contact your local media or arrange a face-to-face meeting with your elected representative, visit our Nature Can’t Wait pages.  

The RSPB has been speaking up for nature for more than 100 years. It’s at the heart of all that we do. If you would like to join us as a campaigner just click on the link below.