Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) Declares an Ecology Emergency 

As the Climate Change Cabinet Member, Claire Malcomson led the Liberal Democrat Administration's Motion in the Council Chamber, working cross party to Declare an Ecology Emergency. MVDC is one of only 15% of councils to do this and is proud to spearhead this initiative.

The UK is one the world's most nature-depleted countries. New data shows that we are in the bottom 10% globally, and last among the G7 group of nations. We only have about 50% of our biodiversity left. (The global average is 75%).

In her introduction speech Claire said, 'Ecology is the study of organisms and their environment, from microorganisms to humans, to the planet Earth. We need to consider not only the organisms, but how organisms interact with each other, and their specific habitat requirements'.

Continuing she added, 'During the last few months, we have seen the devastating effect of the heatwave on our nature and wildlife: ponds drying up, revealing dead fish; rivers becoming toxic, smelly and dangerous to swim in; countless mature trees shedding their leaves; hundreds of saplings and shrubs dying; not to mention the fear of wildfires and hosepipe bans. This affects all our lives and well-being. I believe the timing is right for the Mole Valley District Council to Declare an Ecology Emergency. At last, the public are becoming aware of the need to make changes urgently. I am so thrilled our Council is leading the way on local policies.'

This reflects MVDC's commitment to protect and restore the natural world. It builds on our Declaration of a Climate Emergency in 2019, and our pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030. And it will support the draft Local Plan, calling for the council to incorporate the climate and ecological emergency targets and nature recovery as strategic priorities in planning policies.

By making the connections between the climate and ecological emergencies, it shows that the council understands that there is only one combined crisis to resolve - an imbalance in our world, that we have the power to act on locally.