SPRING HAS finally arrived in the City of Chester. As the new season rolls in you can see the changes across the city: blossom trees on the Cathedral gardens blooming, ducklings have appeared along the canal, and Chester is alive with colour.
As nature awakens from its winter hibernation, Spring acts as a timely reminder to reflect on our natural environment and the benefits it brings.
Nature is our life support system. When we work with nature, we have cleaner air to breathe, better water to drink, and healthier food to eat. Science shows time spent in nature makes us happier and healthier. And in Chester, we are incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by nature.
Despite the evidence supporting nature being a positive for our mind, body and soul, nature in the UK is under threat. A quarter of our mammals are at risk of extinction, we’ve lost over 38 million birds from our skies, and 97% of wildflower meadows have disappeared since 1930. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) recently published a report that showed the UK is in the top 10% of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. These are sobering statistics we should absolutely refuse to accept as our fate.
In 2019, Cheshire West and Chester Council were one of the earliest local authorities in the country to declare a Climate Emergency. The Council recognised the importance nature plays in our daily lives and put forward a Climate Emergency Response plan. As part of this, they are currently working on delivering their five-year Wildflower and Grassland Strategy action plan – concentrating principally on creating 45 miniature wildflower meadows across the borough.
Chester is leading the way globally as the world’s first Sustainable Palm Oil City, revolutionising the way local businesses and organisations procure sustainable sources of palm oil. Other areas in the UK, including Oxford and Newquay, soon followed our global lead.
In Parliament, I continue to use my platform to keep environmental matters on the agenda and showcase the shining example of Chester’s innovation. I have been involved in debates on climate change and biodiversity, along with bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides. On both occasions, I shared the fantastic work organisations like Chester Zoo are doing to combat climate change and preserve our wonderful natural habitats.
I encourage everyone in Chester to get out in nature this weekend and have a happy and peaceful Easter break.