Sign the open letter

Cornwall is a truly unique part of the UK. Its wildlife and spaces are wonderful, spectacular, and awe-inspiring. But it’s more than a place to walk, swim, visit or photograph; it is LIFE. If it disappears, so do we.

We need urgent action. Government after government are letting life slip away. A lack of responsibility, priority and action means the wild spaces and species left in the UK are struggling to survive. 

There is hope, a small but limited window of opportunity. The time is now. We must stop and then reverse the decline. Nature needs action so it can thrive once more. We’re calling on Cornwall’s next MPs to listen, do the right thing and use their influence in Parliament to drive change.

We know what needs to be done, but we can’t do it alone. It needs political support.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the people of Cornwall are calling on our next elected MPs to fight for life by:

Bringing back lost wildlife. A healthy natural world doesn’t depend on any one species; it needs an ecosystem. We’ve lost nearly 20% of our birds, bees, and trees since 1970 - we cannot afford to lose anymore and permanently break the chain.

Tackling water pollution. We have some of the most polluted rivers and seas in Europe. Life above and below water depends on clean, safe spaces.

Nature-friendly farming. Without vital funding, farmers could find it difficult to transition away from harmful chemicals, which are damaging our soil, wildlife, and waterways. We need widespread take-up of farming methods that allow wildlife to recover, and to support farmers in making space for nature.

Restoring natural habitats. We all need safe places to live, sleep and raise our families - wildlife is no different. We must protect and restore places for wildlife to thrive.

Putting nature at the heart of the community. People won’t care about what they haven’t experienced. For too many people in Cornwall, spending quality time outdoors and going to the beach is a distant dream. Experiencing nature is proven to dramatically improve mental and physical well-being.

Time is quickly running out. So, we look to you, as our elected officials, to make a difference and demand action.

Thank you.