When the going gets tough, good governments take action
News from the RSPB site
Far-reaching action to help wildlife adapt to climate change must be required of all government departments in legislation this year, the RSPB says in a major new report.
Launched to highlight the issue at political party conferences, the report says pledges of funds should back these guarantees and be laid out in the government's Climate Change Bill, which is expected in the Queen's Speech in November.
Crucial to wildlife will be measures to help vulnerable species relocate as their existing homes become too warm, too dry or too wet, the report, Climate change, wildlife and adaptation, is warning.
Species already at risk include: the lapwing and redshank and other wading birds in south-east England, where parched summers will dry out their wetland habitats, while migrating birds such as pied flycatchers, are already arriving too late for the glut of insect food their young need. Ring ouzels – the mountain blackbird – are also struggling because dry ground in the uplands in late summer means the birds are finding too little food.
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