Half of butterfly species in long-term decline
More than half of UK butterfly species are now in long-term decline, according to a monitoring scheme run by a group of conservation organisations. The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme said the year 2024 was the worst on record for butterflies in the UK. One organisation is calling on people to not cut their grass for the next six months in order to create more habitat for butterflies and other wildlife.The Small Tortoiseshell, Chalk Hill Blue and Small Copper are three of the butterflies that have suffered a particular decline.
The monitoring scheme by the charity Butterfly Conservation, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) has been running since 1976. Volunteers count butterflies across more than 3,000 sites.The monitoring revealed 51 of the UK's 59 butterfly species declined last year compared with 2023, while just six increased.It was the second worst year on record for common butterflies that live in gardens, parks and the wider countryside.Experts said that butterfly numbers do vary from year to year. Last year's low numbers are partly because of the wet spring and relatively cool summer, which did not provide good conditions for winged insects to feed and breed.But the monitoring data also shows that for the first time, more than half of the UK's butterfly species are in long-term decline.
The number of Small Tortoiseshell, for example, has gone down 86% since 1976, and the Green-veined White has seen a 28% decline.Habitat destruction, use of pesticides and climate change are some of the reasons blamed for the decline. Several species are listed on the red list, which means they are in danger of extinction. These include the Grizzled Skipper, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Chalk Hill Blue.Conservationists said those species required specific habitat to survive, which had been destroyed over the past century.A 'butterfly emergency' was declared after the low results of the citizen science Big Butterfly Count last year.Richard Fox from Butterfly Conservation said many people since then have been asking what they can do to help.The organisation is calling on people to not cut their grass between April and September, saying this simple act can make a lot of difference to moths, butterflies and other wildlife."By far the best thing we can do to help butterflies is to create more habitat," he said.
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Edinburgh Live
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- Edinburgh Live
New Edinburgh Green group leader wants 'more than shallow promises'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Green councillors have elected a new co-leader who wants 'more than shallow promises' from the city's administration for Edinburgh's most vulnerable. Councillor Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill, who represents Forth ward, will take over from Councillor Susan Rae, who stepped down after a year in the post. Cllr Kinross-O'Neill said: 'I'm very excited to have been elected as Green co-convenor of our Edinburgh Councillor group. 'As a strong progressive party in opposition it is more important than ever that we see diverse voices represented in leadership. I'm hoping to speak for people in the city whose voices are silenced or ignored by decision makers in the Council. 'We know that disabled people, trans people, migrants and refugees, those on lower incomes or in poverty, need more than shallow promises, delay and denial from our current administration in Edinburgh. 'Greens will always stand up for those who need it most and continue to scrutinise, develop policy or facilitate grassroots action that tackles the horrific impacts of the climate crisis.' Cllr Kinross-O'Neill has been elected for a two-year term, while Councillor Chas Booth will stay on as the Green group's other leader for one more year, after also being returned in the election. The Edinburgh Green group elects two co-conveners, unlike the city's other political groups which each have one. Cllrs Booth and Kinross-O'Neill will each earn £30,686 per year, with other group leaders earning £40,027. Cllr Booth said: 'I'm delighted that Edinburgh Green Councillors have selected me to continue as Co-Convener of the group. 'As the chaos of the extreme minority Labour administration continues it is vital that we have a strong Green voice in opposition. 'I would like to pay tribute to Susan Rae who has been my fellow Co-Convener over the past year and who it has been a joy to work with. 'Susan's tenacity, passion and keen political instincts have been invaluable to the Edinburgh Green Councillors and helped us secure many wins for people across the city. 'I'm looking forward to continuing that legacy with Cllr Kinross-O'Neill and my Green Councillor colleagues.' Green councillor Alex Staniforth stood against Cllr Booth, who was first elected as a Green group co-leader last year.
New Statesman
04-06-2025
- New Statesman
Non-voters are Nigel Farage's secret weapon
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NBC News
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- NBC News
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