Bristol activists on why they marched to Restore Nature Now

An estimated 80-100,000 people took to the streets of London on Saturday to demand action on the environment.

Members of Bristol charities, businesses, wildlife and activist groups joined the march from Park Lane to parliament that has been named the ‘world’s largest ever’ collaboration of the NGO, community and environmental sectors.

Restore Nature Now was spearheaded by environment leader Chris Packham and over 300 organisations including the RSPCA, National Trust, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, RSPB and WWF took part, representing a total membership in excess of 10 million.

The march was spilt into blocks representing different habitats – land, air, woodland and water – with Bristol marching in the water block.

Locally, the movement is supported by Avon Wildlife Trust, Better Food company, Bristol Tree Forum, Christian Climate Action, Ecotricity, Triodos Bank, Tree Sisters, and more.

They shared their reasons for taking part and what it was like to be there.

Avon Wildlife Trust (AWT)

The AWT team at the march with a banner that was co-created by people in Bristol at the Festival of Nature – photo: Emma Fennell Hodgson

“Avon Wildlife Trust staff, volunteers and members are proud to attend the Restore Nature Now march.

“Alongside may other wildlife and environmental organisations and thousands of concerned citizens, we’re celebrating the natural world and sending a strong, united message that we need urgent action to protect and restore nature.

“With the threat of the escalating climate emergency, rivers full of pollution and one in six species in the UK at risk of extinction, we hope the march will show whoever is to lead the next government that we’re a country of nature-lovers who want to see more political action to address these vital issues.” George Cook, Communications Officer, AWT

“It’s really powerful to have a unified approach with other environmental charities and organisations.”  Sophie Bancroft, Team Wilder officer, AWT

For more on Avon Wildlife Trust’s stance in the run up to the general election visit www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/blog/george-cook/general-election-2024

Bevis Watts, CEO, Triodos Bank

CEO of ethical bank Triodos Bevis Watts, a nature advocate that has previously written a book on the return of Bristol’s beavers, attended the march with Triodos marketing manager Ellen Harrison – photo: Bevis Watts

“In a matter of days, the UK will go to the polls and make a critical choice for the future direction of the country and climate. We cannot afford to waste any more time to take decisive action to prevent climate breakdown, and the next government needs to be the one that embeds a comprehensive net zero and nature positive strategy for the UK.

“We marched to call for urgent action from politicians to protect and restore nature. We all stand to benefit from the transition to a low-carbon, nature-positive future, and we all – businesses included – have a responsibility to help build a just and thriving world free from the threat of climate catastrophe.

“Strong nature and climate leadership makes good business and economic sense – after all, a happy, healthy and prosperous future is something we would all vote for.”

Bristol Climate Choir

“On Saturday around 300 singers from the Climate Choir Movement responded to an invitation from Chris Packham and other organisers to perform at the biggest ever march for nature. I’m proud that so many of us were able to contribute to this historic march which included people of all ages and backgrounds from all over the UK.

“We’re using our united voices to call on politicians from all parties to ‘Restore Nature Now.’ Given the urgency of the climate and nature crises and the fact that the UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world it felt important to use our voices in this way.

“I feel proud that the Climate Choir Movement was founded in my beautiful home city of Bristol which has a reputation of being a city of nature-lovers and defenders. The Movement now has over 700 singers in 13 choirs across the UK and is growing rapidly.

“We use our singing as a harmonious – and sometimes humorous – way of changing hearts and minds. We’ve sung ‘truth to power’ in many different places including inside bank AGMs, in cathedrals and inside the Houses of Parliament, where we sung against new oil field licences in the North Sea.

“Singing is a great way of coming together and getting a message across in a peaceful, non-confrontational way. We need all politicians to heed so many of us who want them to prioritise restoring nature.” Jo Flanagan, co-founder of the Climate Choir Movement

Bristol Tree Forum (BTF)

John Tarlton was representing Bristol Tree Forum in London, and also part of the water section of the march with the other Bristol and south west representatives – photo: John Tarlton

“With regard to trees and green spaces in cities such as Bristol, the need to restore nature is immediate and urgent.

“Trees are crucial to keeping our city centres liveable in the face of accelerating climate change. Extreme heat waves will soon become an annual event, threatening the lives and wellbeing of many Bristol citizens, often those already most disadvantaged.

“It is recognised that trees are crucial to lowering extreme temperatures during heat waves, cooling the air around them by as much as 10C, and providing the cooling action of ten air conditioning units running continuously.

“Without trees, our city centre will become virtually unliveable, and yet the rate of tree removal has never been higher.

“I hope that our representation at the Restore Nature Now march will go some small way to raising public awareness of these issues, and perhaps reverse the current rate of attrition to which our valuable trees are being exposed.

“The lack of reporting by the BBC of these peaceful and good-natured mass protests by climate and nature activists, whilst giving extensive exposure to disruptive protests such as Just Stop Oil’s spraying of Stonehenge, distorts the public view of climate and nature activists, characterising them as extremists.

“During an election, this makes it more difficult for parties with good green policies to garner support for these policies.” Professor John Tarlton, University of Bristol

Bristol Tree Forum dropped a banner from the top of Cabot tower to raise awareness of the march – photo: John Tarlton

“A tree today is worth more than the promise of tree tomorrow. Cities are habitats too, and trees are their apex species. Where a tree grows there is more life found – living from, on and in it, and sheltering under it.

“The trees of Bristol are under constant threat. Thousands are cut down each year but few are replaced. A newly planted tree, if it even survives – where the average life expectancy of an urban tree is 13 years – will take half a human lifetime to replace what has been lost.

“If we are going to Restore Nature Now, we must first preserve what we have, especially our existing trees.” Mark Ashdown, BTF chair.

For more on this see bristoltreeforum.org/a-manifesto-for-existing-trees

Bristol Extinction Rebellion (XR)

Bristol XR group installed a banner by the harbour to promote the march and the movement – photo: Bristol XR

“We’re really excited to be involved in Restore Nature Now. It’s a chance to demonstrate that many people are demanding urgent action from the next government on protecting species and habitats under threat from the climate crisis and human development harming the countryside and coasts.

“The march was spilt into blocks representing different habitats – land, air, woodland and water. Bristol and the south west were allocated the water block so we have been busy making banners, flags and amazing ‘fish’ hats.

“This march was particularly significant because so many groups that had not taken such action before stepped out for the first time to demand change.  On the march, I met people from all political shades and backgrounds and was surprised and pleased to see a very wide range of society represented, not just the usual suspects.

“It was a great experience to share this event with so many other environmental groups. Together we can make an important point and shout out for action on nature.” Nigel Shipley, Bristol XR

Christian Climate Action Bristol (CCA Bristol)

Miriam, Dave and Sarah from Christian Climate Action Bristol at the march in London – photo: CCA Bristol

“We had a marvellous full-on time at the march!

“Our day started with a service at the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Mayfair. Several hundred Christians from different denominations, and from all around the country, gathered to listen, sing, meditate and pray.

“As people of faith who are climate activists, we feel called by God to campaign for better care for nature.

“After the service we joined thousands of people in a colourful march through London to the Houses of Parliament. So many different organisations were marching, all calling on our government – and the next one – to take better care of the earth.” Sarah & Dave, on behalf of CCA Bristol

The faith-based climate groups made up the last section of the which included an estimated 100,000 people and over 300 different organisations – photo: CCA Bristol

Two environment-focused hustings this week will allow residents to question general election candidates on their climate policies.

The Bristol South event takes place on June 26, 7-8.30pm, at Knowle West Media Centre, BS4 1NL.

The Bristol North East event takes place on June 28, from 7-8.30pm in Lockleaze at The Hub, Unit 1, Fedden Buildings, Gainsborough Square, BS7 9FB.

Questions can be submitted in advance to climatequestiontime2024@proton.me

Main photo: Emma Fennell Hodgson

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