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A right to a healthy environment

Chartham Down in the mist, photo by Ian Hufton

Bella Sabin-Dawson, Education and Wellbeing Apprentice at Kent Wildlife Trust highlights one of the asks in our Nature 2030 manifesto campaign - a right to a healthy environment.

The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, with as much as 15% of our wildlife at risk of extinction, and at a local level things aren’t looking much better. The ‘State of Nature in Kent 2021’ report found that 79% of rivers in Kent are impacted by pollution, air pollution in our county is double the recommended WHO levels, and as many as 372 species in Kent are threatened with extinction, highlighting the need for collective action to restore a thriving environment for wildlife and people. There have been some big promises made in the past that unfortunately haven’t been approached with the ambition and drive needed to meet them, and with COP28 bringing about more uncertainties, now is the time to put pressure on those in power.

The natural world isn’t merely something for us to enjoy, it sustains us, and this needs to be reflected in the policies of our future government. Over 70 charities have come together to create the Nature 2030 campaign to demand that all political parties adopt five landmark policies for nature’s recovery ahead of the next General Election. These include: a pay rise for farmers, making polluters pay, more space for nature, creating more green jobs, and a right to a healthy environment.

The state of the environment has a direct and profound impact on human health and wellbeing. In 2021 air pollution was identified as the greatest environmental threat to UK public health, with 64,000 of all premature deaths being linked to air pollution every year. In Kent, latest reports demonstrate as many as 78 days per year as air pollution episodes and water pollution is also an increasingly important issue as only 11 of the 28 water bodies in the county meet a ‘good’ ecological standard. Sewage, agricultural waste, and plastic is polluting our waters, which not only reduces opportunities for water-based activities that benefit physical health but also opportunities for spending time outdoors and connecting with the natural world.

It is no secret that nature has a substantial benefit on mental wellbeing, and it can relieve huge amounts of pressure on public health services by helping people to lead more active, fulfilled lives. Spending at least 120 minutes a week outside in nature can cut down the number of GP appointments required, save the NHS money, and create fairer greener communities.

Green Social Prescribing is a system that supports people to engage with nature-based activities that allow them to improve their overall wellbeing. It takes a person-centred approach that helps to link people up with their local communities and encourages them to reconnect with nature. Kent Wildlife Trust has implemented Green Social Prescribing with our Wilder Wellbeing programmes which are designed for individuals who may be experiencing a lowered wellbeing, are living with mental or physical health conditions, or are feeling lonely and isolated. The Wildlife Trusts are leading this approach to nature connection with several programmes across the UK that benefit different groups facing health inequalities such as those with restricted mobility, older people, carers, participants from underserved areas and those from ethnic minorities. A recent report found that if these programmes were available to everyone that would likely take them up it could result in savings of more than £635 million. Green Social Prescribing helps to provide interventions for the NHS while addressing barriers to nature regarding access, engagement and representation.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of spending time in nature and emphasised the inequalities surrounding access to green spaces. It is the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people that experience the worst environmental conditions and lack of access to green spaces, and this inequality will only worsen if our current behaviour towards natural spaces continues. Everyone has a right to natural spaces regardless of income or background and these areas need to be protected to preserve our connection with them, which is why Nature 2030 puts a strong emphasis on the importance of a right to a healthy environment.

An element of this section of the campaign is asking for a new Environmental Rights Bill. This would give people the tools we need to challenge public bodies that infringe our right to a healthy environment and would require this legislation to be considered throughout decision-making processes. A new Environmental Rights Bill would allow us to address deepening health inequalities and empower people to hold public bodies accountable for pollution, climate change, and the nature and biodiversity crises.

The Wildlife Trusts manifesto asks for the coming year include ending river pollution and water scarcity, enabling healthy communities, and tackling the climate emergency which embody the Nature 2030 campaign’s focus on a right to a healthy environment. By raising the profile of detrimental issues such as air and water pollution and advocating for better, more inclusive policy we can strive towards creating a healthier environment for everyone in Kent. Though the challenges we face may be complex, by working together and speaking out we can make a difference and create a #WilderKent. Access to a healthy environment should be a human right. Please join the campaign for Nature2030 by signing our open letter to party leaders and ask them to commit to including these five actions in their manifestos - Nature 2030: Support our plan to restore nature.

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