Almost three quarters of British people believe protecting green spaces should take priority over building new infrastructure, according to a new survey.
The survey of more than 2,000 people for the search engine Ecosia found just 15% of respondents think building infrastructure is more important for economic and social development.
Nearly half (47%) strongly support conservation, while just over a quarter (26%) back green space protection if alternative locations for housing and infrastructure are available
The U.K. government published new details of its proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill earlier this month, which includes a commitment to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five fours.
As part of the reforms, councils will be ordered to review their “green belt” boundaries to meet targets by identifying lower quality land that could be built on, which has led some campaigners to question some green spaces will be lost in the push for new homes.
The survey also reveals a growing public anxiety about the climate crisis.
More than half (55.8%) of respondents said they feel anxious about climate change, with younger generations expressing the highest levels of concern.
In addition, over one-third (39%) are worried about how climate change will impact where they live in the future. This concern drastically rises to 58% for those aged 25-34.
It also found environmental awareness is rising, with 50% of respondents stating their views on climate issues have become more pronounced.
The shift is especially evident among younger voters, with almost two thirds (63%) of both 16 to 24 and 25 to 34-year olds reporting a stronger focus on environmental concerns.
Ecosia’s head of policy and climate action, Sophie Dembinski said more and more British people want to see the government to protect nature in an interview.
Dembinski added the U.K. is one of the most “nature depleted countries on Earth” and the current government’s growth agenda should not come at the cost of the environment.
“There many ways for the government to meet its housing targets, which will not require the destruction of nature,” she told me.
Dembinski said there needs to be a “climate-safe future for housing as well, with more homes insulated properly and more energy efficient.
She added the growing sense of anxiety about climate change is not surprising, because it’s impact on many people’s lives is becoming clearer.
“I think the realities of climate change are coming home to people, whether it is through increased flooding risk or wildfires. Climate change no longer feels like a thing that is really far away anymore,” said Dembinski.
“And there’s no business on a dead planet. We can talk about economic growth, but not that’s not going to provide a reassuring picture to people who want to see us take climate and nature really seriously.”
Shaun Spiers, executive director at Green Alliance, said the U.K. needs many more new homes, better public transport infrastructure and unprecedented investment in clean energy in an email.
Spiers added the challenge for U.K. politicians is to get building, but in ways that protect and enhance nature.
“British people are nature lovers, so attacking bats and newts will backfire, and attempting to tear down the planning system usually ends in tears,” said Spiers.
“But when the government works constructively with wider society, we can find sensible solutions, like ensuring communities benefit from hosting electricity infrastructure.”
However, the U.K. government did recently announce the first national forest in 30 years, which will be planted from the Cotswolds to the Mendips and create at least 2,500 hectares of new woodland.
The Western Forest will be spearheaded by the Forest of Avon, one of England’s Community Forests supported by up to £7.5 million of government funding over five years.
“The Western Forest was selected because of its ability to demonstrate a similar scale of ambition, with trees and woods supporting growth and farming while enhancing nature’s recovery and access to green space,” said National Forest chief executive, John Everitt in a statement.
