One of the world's largest bird protection groups is calling on everyone on the Shotley Peninsula that cares about the environment to petition South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge to speak up for them in Parliament.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is calling on the government to beef up the current laws and pass an Environment Bill strong enough to bring about a major change in helping nature recover from a devastating decline in bird species.

A protected area on the foreshore to the Stour Estuary between Shotley and Erwarton, and across to Wrabness in Essex, is managed by the RSPB, and a large swathe of the peninsula is part of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The RSPB argue the current bill is missing key clauses that mean the government won't have to take actions towards fulfilling environmental targets.

Show your MP how important this is by asking them to speak in Parliament for an Environment Bill that is strong enough to make a meaningful difference.

Our environment is in a state of emergency. More than 60% of our key species are in serious decline (State of Nature 2019) and publicly the environment is a bigger concern than the economy, education or immigration (Ipsos Mori 2019).

Locally, people are doing great things for nature's recovery by switching to green energy, leaving a patch in their garden to grow wild, and eating less meat, but key nationwide change cannot happen without strong laws.

The Environment Bill is the law we desperately need to protect and enhance nature. It is key to deliver the Government's pledge to be a world leader in the fight for nature's recovery and tackling climate change. Whilst the bill currently does include some crucial elements for improving our environment, there are big gaps that undermine its success.

The five key areas where the RSPBA feel bill needs to be strengthened are:

• Secure environmental principles in law
• An independent and effective new watchdog: The Office for Environmental Protection
• A target setting framework
• A nature chapter
• Securing existing protections and standards

Martin Harper, RSPB director of conservation, said: The importance of this legislation cannot be overstated. It should under[in ur efforts to restore nature in a generation.

"It must set the right legal protection backed up by the right enforcement powers and introduce new tools to drive nature's recovery.

"We have five simple tests to see if the Environmental Bill will deliver in the face of the nature and climate crisis and we shall now work with parliamentarians across all parties to ensure the bill is fit for purpose."

You can sign the petition on the link below:

https://e-activist.com/page/55470/action/1