Earth Day – how local authorities and charities are investing in the planet
06/14/2022
Earlier this year, people around the globe celebrated Earth Day. The origins of Earth Day can be traced back to the publication of Rachel Carson’s New York Times bestseller Silent Spring in 1962 which documented the horrendous damage caused to the environment and human health by the indiscriminate use of certain pesticides.
The book became a rallying point for the 1960s environment movement and led to a nationwide ban of DDT for agricultural use in the United States. The book, along with the massive 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, also inspired American politician, Gaylord Nelson and young activist Denis Hayes to launch what was to eventually become Earth Day on 22 April 1970.
The theme for Earth Day 2022 was Invest In Our Planet. Kathleen Rogers, president of Earthday.org told UK Vogue magazine:
“Governments can pass regulations, they can promote [a] green economy. We need to invest in innovators and innovation, but we need to do it the right way. “[For] individuals it’s about investing your personal time, your political vote, investing in your community, investing your money into going green.”
To celebrate Earth Day, we looked at the inspiring environmental initiatives of local authorities and charities around the UK. Below is a small sample of some of the amazing actions being taken to protect our beautiful planet and all its inhabitants.
Local government environment success
According to the Local Government Association, councils have achieved the following in regard to cutting carbon emissions and protecting the environment:
• Collected over 15.5 tonnes of waste and recycling.
• Saved UK citizens over £1 billion a year by reducing food waste.
• Installed over 17,000 electric vehicle charging devices.
• Spent around £40 million on flood defences.
• Managed and maintained around 27,000 parks and green spaces.
• Spent on average £125 per person on environmental services.
In addition to the above successes, back in January it was announced that the Forestry Commission and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are helping meet extensive tree planting targets through the reopening of two major grant funds– the second round of the Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF), and the Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF), the latter of which is now in its fourth year. The LAFT is a grant scheme designed to increase tree planting in non-woodland areas, for example in hedgerows, parklands, riparian zones, urban areas, beside roads and footpaths as well as small linear woodlands, copses, and shelterbelts. The UTFC is focused on levelling up access to nature in deprived urban areas. And the wonderful news is that local authorities who want to be part of the drive to increase the number of trees we have can apply for both schemes.
Charities saving the world
Throughout history, charities have taken the lead in making the world a better place and the environment is no exception. In February this year, Rewild Britain announced it was launching the UK’s first Rewilding Innovation Fund to “boost locally led land and marine nature recovery projects across Britain, including community initiatives and those focused on improving people’s health and wellbeing.”
Projects anywhere in England, Wales, and Scotland which focus on the principles of rewilding and that are part of Rewilding Britain’s growing Rewilding Network are eligible to apply for funding.
If you are a butterfly lover, you will be delighted to hear that the National Trust has joined forces with 22 organisations, including Butterfly Conservation to save the Large Blue, the rarest butterfly in the country. This beautiful creature became extinct in the UK, however, careful conservation has successfully reintroduced it to Collard Hill. The save the Large Blue project is led by scientists from Oxford University and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Finally, the RSPB has reported that, after almost becoming extinct twice, Britain’s loudest bird, the Bittern had a “record-breaking year” in 2021, with the number of male birds rising to 228, up from 209 in 2019.
Ornithologist Dr Alex Lees told the BBC that it was a "spectacular conservation success story" thanks to the restoration of wetland habitats.
He went on to say:
"We've invested millions in restoring and creating wetlands and that's meant species like cranes, spoonbills, little egrets and great egrets have returned too.
"Wetland birds are probably the biggest conservation success story of the last 40 years - it's the group of species that's really bucking the trend of nature loss."
Wrapping up
With the media primarily focusing on the negative, often people are unaware of the numerous positive initiatives directed at protecting our environment and saving wildlife.
At Zurich, we will continue to highlight the innovation, creativity, and genuine care for our planet shown by local authorities and the charity sector.
“Optimism is essential to achievement, and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.”
Nicholas Murray Butler – former president of Columbia University, president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
