Remember those days of driving down country lanes and then having to clear the insects that smothered the windscreen? Not anymore.
Some 59% of the insects in the UK were lost between 2004 and 2023.
The last biodiverse illiterate government allowed farmers to use the previously banned neonicotinoid pesticide for the past four years. These pesticides do incredible damage, especially to the bee population.
Campaigners are seeking to get the present government to ban neonicotinoids.
Nearly one in six species in the UK are threatened with extinction.
The devastation caused by the destructive way we live becomes more evident every day, look at recent fires, droughts and floods.
Human beings must collectively wake up to the damage being done and take radical action.
It is quite disillusioning to be reminded of the ineptitude of the political class.
The failure to act, the creeping back from hesitant commitments, the catch-all cop out “we can't afford it."
On a more upbeat note, there have been positive things done. The saving of bird species like the red kite, sea eagles and the osprey.
Some farmers are leading the way, producing food, whilst fostering the environment.
More people must get involved. This can mean volunteering in groups to work on the land. Locally, the Wren Group does work every week in Wanstead Park or on the Flats.
The Friends of Wanstead Park carry out monthly litter picks. The councillors also do a monthly litter pick on the third Saturday of each month. The River Roding Trust works on the river.
There are tree pits and pollinator pathways that local people can become involved with. Also, those who have gardens can make them more nature friendly.
Join different groups like the wildlife trusts, Friends of the Earth, the Woodland Trust and RSPB. Locally, there is Wanstead Climate Action and Wanstead Community Gardeners.
Open a dialogue with politicians to engage them with the issues. Don't stand for excuses like it cannot be afforded.
There is much that can be done.
Everyone needs to get more involved and take responsibility for the way they behave. Then just maybe the climate and biodiversity crisis can begin to turn around.
- Paul Donovan is Labour councillor for Wanstead Village ward, Redbridge Council and a blogger (paulfdonovan.blogspot.com).
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