Mighty Earth’s Post

From supermajority to a superpower for Nature. Here's what the Labour government can do to make that vision a reality, from my brilliant UK colleagues Gemma Hoskins and Carole Mitchell. The results of this election had many causes to be sure - from immigration politics to simple fatigue. But the reality also is that a Conservative Party that had, imperfectly, championed Nature and climate under Boris Johnson turned its back on that legacy under the three prime ministers who have clambered up after him on the greasy pole. And that abandonment of the great struggle of our time has, to put it mildly, not aided their electoral prospects. In Britain, as in the rest of the West (and perhaps the world), there is some significant percentage of people who remain existentially worried about our planet, and vote that way. However giddy it makes donors, one cannot expect to ram oil drilling and coal mining and bulldozers down the throats of an electorate and expect to have any backing from young people or, frankly, decent people. Unfortunately, that's what the spreadsheet government of Rishi Sunak didn't understand. Woe to the politician who underestimates a love of Nature or people's understanding of our dependence on it for survival. Britain still punches way above its weight on issues of global import. Protecting Nature is one field of human enterprise where it can still display greatness. This new government runs the risk of a descent into bland, beige, incomprehensible marginality. Going big on Nature could be how it makes its government something people feel it's worth fighting for.

It's no surprise that the Greens scored higher with the green NGOs. I'm extremely proud to stand for the deliverable Liberal Democrat manifesto which ranks way above the other main parties. Our manifesto is a well-balanced piece of work, the result of many months of policy debate. It provides an actual plan to tackle climate change and restore nature. Tim Farron, our Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Environment: “The Conservatives have displayed an appalling record on #climatechange and the #natural #environment. “The Liberal Democrats have a serious plan to clean up our waterways, protect our natural environment and tackle the #climateemergency: from establishing a tough new water regulator and expanding Blue Flag status swimming areas, to setting binding targets against the decline of our natural environment and rolling out an emergency home insulation programme.” 🌿 Check out the article to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gq9F6amm

What would 'good' look like from this Government in their first months? Here's our assessment of the key tests that Labour is facing when it comes to demonstrating real ambition on the environment: https://lnkd.in/eSgpUnUC #kingsspeech #Labour #climate #nature #environment #UKpolitics #election

Just over a week to go until the UK General Election. If polling is correct, Keir Starmer is likely to be the new Prime Minister, but what does this mean for the environment? Comparatively speaking, a better deal than the Conservatives, if pledges are delivered, although the details are pretty vague and there's a sense of missed opportunity about the Labour Manifesto. Whatever happens, the key point here is that the next government must deliver significant green gains - and the rest - or face a reality in which all 'major' parties are relegated below rising 'minority' and populist factions. #labourmanifesto #generalelection2024 #generalelection #environment #climate

Wondering how the main political parties compare on climate and nature as we get nearer to the election? We’ve got you covered 👍 Check out our new joint analysis with Greenpeace UK 👇  https://lnkd.in/dthwZHf4

We really recommend this Greenpeace guide to voting in the most sustainable MP in your area, no matter what party they are running for. https://lnkd.in/e8N9QSj4

In 1951, Labour won its largest ever popular vote, securing over 200,000 more votes than the Conservatives. Nevertheless, the Conservatives won 26 more seats than Labour and a majority of 17 in the House of Commons. No one suggested that the Conservatives did not have a mandate to govern. In Thursday's election, Labour won a stonking majority, albeit on a relatively small share of the final vote. It clearly has a mandate and that is, broadly speaking, good news for those who care about the environment. It has very ambitious climate policies, it's pledged to meet legally binding targets on nature's recovery, it promises to prioritise the circular economy and it wants to rebuild the UK's international reputation for leadership on the environment. There will be difficulties ahead. There always are. Planning reform may prove particularly tricky. But for now, environmentalists of all parties can take comfort in the fact that we have in power what may really prove to be the greenest government ever. My new blog for Green Alliance: https://lnkd.in/ew8DabSK

This election was won with strong climate & environment pledges. The majority of seats Greens, Lib Dems, and Labour were secured with manifesto commitments to protect & restore the environment, and to stop big industry destroying our seas. All environmental NGOs must now be accountability partners to new MPs & parties to make sure election campaign pledges are delivered, fast. ‘Labour’s victory in the general election must mark the start of the UK’s transformation to a green and low-carbon economy and society, campaigners and experts have said as the scale of the election win became clear.’ https://lnkd.in/eqVQ2Va8

As ever, opinions all my own, however it is no longer the case that environmental issues are outside of mainstream politics, let alone business. Those long term returns are stuffed if your assets are underwater/burnt down etc. Climate and environmental science are fringe; they're front and centre for the very existence of humans. 'Labour’s approach this conference has been to counter Sunak’s misinformation and present a positive case of its own; pledging that green policies will lower bills and bring prosperity back to Britain.' #politics #energy https://lnkd.in/erTFFKA5

Scotland Pauses Green Policies and Kicks Out Green Leaders Humza Yousaf's ruling SNP ends power-sharing with Scottish Greens; Kicks out Green leaders from the government. This comes days after SNP announced that it would scrap its Net Zero targets for 2030. #climatechange #climatecrisis #climateaction #SNP #Scotland