The Wildlife Trusts stand up for wildlife at Stop Climate Chaos event

Hundreds of Wildlife Trusts members demanded government action for wildlife at the Stop Climate Chaos rally in London on Saturday. They joined 25,000 demonstrators including actor Miranda Richardson, the Right Reverend James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool, the band Razorlight and singer KT Tunstall, in Trafalgar Square.

Thousands more joined in at home by signing up online (www.icount.org.uk) and texting ‘I Count’ to 84424

The Wildlife Trusts team - which included a giant badger - came from across the UK, finding the most environmentally-friendly ways they could to travel to London. Bill Butcher, Director of The Somerset Environmental Records Centre, representing the Somerset Wildlife Trust cycled all the way from West Somerset. His mode of transport was a Powabyke with pedal power supplemented by an electric battery (with the energy sourced from a green tariff, of course!)

Michael Allen, chairman of The Wildlife Trusts, who joined the demonstrators at the rally said:
“The Wildlife Trusts are the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK’s habitats and species, whether they be in the countryside, in cities or at sea. Trusts across the UK are already reporting changes in UK species due to climate change. The little egret and small red-eyed damselfly, for example, have already moved northwards and 75% of rare and endangered species in southern Britain could expand their ranges too. That’s why it’s important to us, as a movement, to demonstrate our commitment to doing something about climate change. We can secure an environment rich in wildlife for the future. But to do so we need to act now.”

KT Tunstall said:
“ I was proud to be part of this event. We have to tell the men over there in Parliament to do something now. They have to show respect for our beautiful planet.”

‘I Count’ is the campaign of Stop Climate Chaos a coalition on climate change bringing together environment and development organisations, unions, faith, community and women’s groups. The campaign calls for UK government to help negotiate an international deal to keep global warming to less than two degrees centigrade above pre-industrial levels; the UK government needs to lead by example by introducing a Climate Change Bill in this month’s Queen’s Speech. This must deliver annual cuts in UK carbon dioxide emissions, and assist developing countries to adapt to climate change and access clean energy to meet their development needs.

People can still join the ‘I Count’ campaign by signing up online (www.icount.org.uk) or texting ‘I Count’ to 84424

For further information please contact:

Howard Park
Press and Publications Officer
Tel: 01636 670076
Fax: 0870 0360101
Email: hpark@wildlifetrusts.org