A new survey, conducted by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, showed a vast majority are demanding the next Government focus on getting to grips with the spiralling crisis facing our local environment.
The research, involving hundreds of people from across the county, showed that 97 per cent of people surveyed will have environmental issues front and centre of their minds when they cast their vote next week.
The top three environmental concerns for Staffordshire residents, rated as very or quite important to them, are:
- The falling number of wildlife species - 73 per cent
- Losing wild places to housing and other development – 72 per cent
- Polluted rivers – 71 per cent
When asked what action they want to see the next Government take, 96 per cent want to see a commitment to halve pollution and sewage from entering our rivers by 2030, while 93 per cent are in favour of increased funding for nature-friendly farming, so farms can be both productive and bursting with wildlife.
Liz Peck, Advocacy and Campaigns Manager for Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, said:
“Our survey shows that Staffordshire residents care deeply about wildlife and that they want urgent action from our future leaders to restore our natural world. With 1 in 6 wild species at risk of extinction in the UK, our next government holds the key to a future with, or without wildlife. This really is life or death: if we continue to build on greenspaces, pollute our waterways and under-invest in nature-friendly farming, our already struggling wildlife will simply vanish.”
Survey respondents were also asked about their biggest environmental concerns in their local area.
Hannah Beard, from Stoke-on-Trent, said:
"I'm concerned about the health of the local river along Hanford path and I would like to see more effort to improve biodiversity that supports insects and pollinators."
Sarah Veevers, from Lichfield, said: "Sewage management systems must be dealt with and updated appropriately. We cannot be releasing raw sewage into waterways any longer."
Elaine Ward, from Burton upon Trent, said: "I'm concerned that we are continually losing green fields and spaces due to house building in my area, which is having a huge impact on nature. We no longer hear the pair of tawny owls near our home as their tree habitat was destroyed when some bungalows were built recently."
