Environment Bill 2021
Young blackthorns in blossom thicken a garden hedge, bringing pollen for insects in spring and fruit and more shelter for birds in autumn and winter. Photo, Nigel Pearce. Can the Environment Bill save our biodiversity – and us? A reflection by Nigel Pearce Over 30 years ago, in 1989, the Department of the Environment published an innovative series of booklets under the general title “Environment in Trust”. The introductory booklet opened with these words: The Government has the responsibility to protect the natural environment from any harmful effects of human activity. Everything we do as individuals – even such daily functions as eating, drinking and washing – has an effect on the natural environment. Nature is not inevitably damaged by our activities: in many respects it is very resilient. But we need to ensure that a sensible balance is struck …