Easington’s Labour PPC Pledges Support For Nature

Press Releases / March 5, 2010 / 984Comment nowhttp://grahamemorris.com/2010/03/easington%e2%80%99s-labour-ppc-pledges-support-for-nature/Easington%E2%80%99s+Labour+PPC+Pledges+Support+For+Nature2010-03-05+10%3A47%3A23grahame

Grahame Morris Supports Major RSPB Campaign

Grahame Morris, Labour’s PPC for Easington has joined a campaign to protect our natural world by signing the Letter to the Future, a major new campaign run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

The letter calls for better investment in nature by politicians, urging them to consider our natural as well as our financial future when making decisions about how to tackle the country’s pressing economic problems.

The RSPB aims to gain tens of thousands of signatures to the letter before the next general election, showing the government that people care about nature as well as the economy and want to see it protected fro the benefit of future generations.

A whole host of famous faces have already put pen to paper including Germaine Greer, Imelda Staunton, Alison Steadman, Philippa Forrester, Bill Bryson, John Thompson, Zoe Wanamaker. Grahame Morris has joined them, signing the letter to show his support.

Commenting on this Grahame Morris said:

“We’ve just gone through a grave financial crisis but in tackling it we must not ignore the equally serious crisis facing our natural world.  Precious habitats are being lost; many species face extinction and the threat of climate change is looming large.”

“The government had to spend billions of pounds in order to rescue our economy.  We owe it to future generations to ensure that this massive investment addresses not just our needs today but also of those tomorrow by creating a health economy and a healthy environment.”

“I value the East Durham Heritage Coast, the bird life in Hawthorn Dene and Castle Eden Dene.”

“I am supporting the RSPB’s campaign because I want our children and grandchildren to be able to grow up in a world where they can appreciate tigers and sparrows, tropical rainforests and bluebell woods, a world worth living in.”

The RSPB’s Head of Sustainable Development, Martin Harper also commented. “The government faces tough economic decisions but these mustn’t be taken at the expense of the environment.  We are calling on the government to recognise this and ensure future generations will be able to appreciate the natural world as we do.  It’s vital that politicians support us in this campaign and we are very grateful to Grahame Morris for lending his support.”

ENDS

Editor’s notes:

• The letter to the future campaign asks politicians to do six things that are at the heart of the RSPB’s work:
• Create a countryside fit for wildlife: Farmers who look after their land in ways that help wildlife should be rewarded for doing so.  With your signature, we’ll ask governments across the UK to fund more work that restores and protects habitats that this threatened wildlife depends on.
• Safeguard our sealife: Half of the UK’s wildlife lives in or depend on the sea, but this habitat is overfished, overtrafficked and over-developed.  We’ve been fighting to get this habitat the legal protection it deserves, and we’re close.  Your signature will help create marine nature reserves that basking sharks, seahorses and puffins need to survive.
• Stop extinction: The fate of so many species hangs in the balance right now.  In our UK Overseas Territories, 32 of the species that we have responsibility for are in danger of being lost forever.  Your signature will ensure the UK Government takes this responsibility seriously.
• Save tropical forests: We’ll make sure the UK Government does its bit in Copenhagen later this year to secure (and take its fair share of funding) a global climate change agreement which must include keeping tropical forests intact – a great step towards saving some of the richest, and most threatened, places for wildlife in the world.
• Stop climate chaos: Money must be invested in renewable sources of energy sited in the right places – your signature will say no to new coal power stations that pollute, and yes to sustainable energy production in harmony with nature.
• Inspire children through nature: If you experience wildlife first-hand, you’re more likely to love it, and if you love it, you’ll protect it.  Sign our letter and encourage politicians to create more opportunities for young people to enjoy nature.  If we fail to act now, the wonderful moments with nature that enrich our lives today may become impossible for our children.
• For more information or to sign the letter visit www.rspb.org.uk/lettertothefuture
• The RSPB speaks our for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment.  Nature is amazing – help us keep it that way.  Click here to join today www.rspb.org.uk/join 
• “The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654