The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth
Biodiversity is being lost at an alarming rate across the world and the UK is not doing well. The State of Nature report compiled by over 50 organisations uses nearly 50 years of data to see how and why nature has changed. It details deeply concerning declines and their causes, but also gives ‘ways in which we can reduce impacts and help struggling species’.
Terrestrial wildlife is suffering from unsustainable land management, industrialised agriculture, and climate change, while marine species are being pushed out by unsustainable fishing, marine development and the changing climate. See the infographic or read the report for more detail.
The report’s findings on Scotland make clear that despite progress to restore ecosystems, save species and move towards nature-friendly land and sea use, Scotland’s environment continues to decline and degrade. Scottish wildlife has decreased on average by 15% since 1994. Since 1970, the distribution of 47% of flowering plants has decreased. One in nine (11%) Scottish species are threatened with extinction. Scotland’s seabirds have declined by 49% between 1986 and 2019.
The accompanying Scottish Environment Link briefing highlights key upcoming opportunities to achieve a step change for Scottish Nature. These include the Natural Environment Bill which will include statutory nature recovery targets, the Scottish Biodiversity Framework, plans for protecting 30% of Scotland’s land for nature by 2030 (currently18% is protected), creating a new National Park, reforming the Agriculture Bill to make it work for nature, climate and people, and the Circular Economy Bill to drive a reduction in our consumption of raw material.
