Investing in nature pays everyone back

THERE is no county quite like ours when it comes to nature, Yorkshire’s great outdoors a smorgasbord of biodiversity from the wild uplands to the urban rooftop gardens.

At our peril, we take that for granted. Few people would deign to disagree with that truism – this newspaper deliberately uses the word ‘truism’, reluctant to suggest it might be mere sentiment – however, how many of us understand the myriad complex reasons for protecting and enhancing our natural habitats?

That is why we must welcome the intervention today from Tony Juniper, chairman of Natural England, following his rallying cry in support of doing more for Mother Nature.

As well as pointing to the obvious benefits of investing in nature – including improving the quality of tributaries, streams, rivers and seas as well as shoring up security of food supplies – Mr Juniper also shines a light on other reasons to do so.

Health, wealth and even national security depends upon a flourishing array of flora and fauna, its symbiosis with public health and prosperity critical to any society’s success.

Often we hear about how we can all do more; a space left in the garden to wildflowers and meadows, a window box for the bees here and a hanging basket for the butterflies there, but often individuals feel powerless to meaningfully move the dial.

For that reason, it is pleasing to see Mr Juniper urging policy makers, including the next Government, to invest in what he calls the big-ticket items.

Certainly, he can count on this newspaper and the people of Yorkshire for support; naturally.