Member's statement: World Wildlife Conservation Day

Member's statement by Mr John Blair on 3 December 2024.

MLA

Mr John Blair

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

3 December 2024

Type

Member's statement

Business

Members' Statements

Heading

World Wildlife Conservation Day

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4690706

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I want to take a moment to reflect on the significance of World Wildlife Conservation Day, which is celebrated annually on 4 December. World Wildlife Conservation Day was envisioned and set in motion 12 years ago by then US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. The day was established by a pledge by the US State Department, which committed it to the vital cause of safeguarding wildlife species across the globe. Charities such as the World Wildlife Fund use 4 December to remind people of the urgent need to protect endangered species and their habitats. Over the past 12 years, we have made some strides in wildlife conservation. However, we have a long journey to make before we can truly commend ourselves for the progress that has been made. The day offers an opportunity for us to reflect on our planet's astounding biodiversity and acknowledge the essential role that wildlife plays in sustaining the fragile balance of our ecosystems. Regardless of size, each species serves a specific function that supports our existence, yet we are confronted with a grim reality as our wildlife grapples with relentless threats, including habitat destruction caused by human expansion, the far-reaching impacts of climate change, the extensive dangers of pollution and the cruel practice of blood sports. The alarming speed at which species are vanishing poses a severe risk to the natural world and, ultimately, humanity. Our well-being is intricately linked to the health of the ecosystems around us as they are connected to the processes that provide us with clean air, drinkable water and a sustainable food supply. Protecting wildlife is therefore synonymous with preserving our future. The importance of defending our planet's diverse creatures cannot be overstated. That involves igniting a passion for nature in future generations so that they, too, will appreciate its beauty and understand the urgent need to preserve it. There are constant and dangerous threats to the local natural habitat. Our damaged and delicate ecosystems face many pressures, not least from pollution locally. Lough Neagh presents a current stark reminder of that. Members will know that Belfast lough is also presenting serious problems. It was most disappointing to me, therefore, that, just last week, the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, of which I am a member, refused to support efforts to reverse leniency on penalties based on cross-compliance in the agri sector. Those would simply have reverted to a previously held position and used penalties as a deterrent to breaches of matters including pollution. We really need to do better than that. I am sure that I will have more to say on the matter when the political reaction to the next Lough Neagh crisis starts. It is crucial that we recognise —

— our responsibility to actively protect our natural world for generations to come —

— through actions as well as words.

476 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:41 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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