Some Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have been criticized for inciting a divisive conflict with nature, as the fisheries and agriculture committees rejected the EU's legislation aimed at restoring biodiversity.
The European Commission proposed a plan in June 2022 that would require member countries to take steps to revive wildlife in different habitats.
The Nature Restoration Law
This plan, named the Nature Restoration Law, was introduced along with another law aimed at reducing the usage of harmful pesticides and reviving the declining wildlife populations in Europe.
There is a worry that the laws about nature restoration may be completely disregarded due to opposition from groups that advocate for agriculture, fishing, and forestry, as well as some countries, as reported by The Guardian. The agriculture committee of the European Parliament rejected the legislation on Tuesday, and the fisheries committee did the same on Wednesday.
The law for restoring nature is a significant aspect of the European green deal, which is essential for fulfilling global climate and biodiversity promises. Frans Timmermans, the commission vice-president, declared that there would be no additional recommendation on Monday.
The law has the goal of increasing the population of pollinating insects while also revitalizing forests, oceans, and other ecosystems that are essential for food production. This is intended to make Europe more resilient to the effects of climate change as the planet continues to warm.
The law played a significant role in the EU's negotiations at the Cop15 conference in Montreal, where a global agreement was made to safeguard 30% of the planet for ecological purposes.
The European People's Party (EPP), a political group that leans towards the right, has demanded that the proposals for nature restoration and pesticide use be completely abandoned. The liberal Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are also divided on the matter, and both groups voted against the nature proposals, which has caused outrage among non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Sabien Leemans, a senior officer at WWF Europe, expressed her disappointment with the majority of MEPs in the agri committee for rejecting the legal proposal to restore nature.
She emphasized that this denial of the current environmental issues in Europe is unacceptable, especially during times of severe droughts and flooding. Leemans stressed that restoring nature is crucial in increasing our resilience to extreme weather events and ensuring long-term food security.
She further added that the rejection of this proposal is an irresponsible attitude that jeopardizes the livelihoods of everyone, particularly farmers.
Read also: Looking at Nature, Scenic Views Can Help Your Brain Function Better at Work, Study Says
The Demand for Nature Restoration
The need for nature restoration has become increasingly urgent as the world faces an unprecedented crisis in terms of climate change and biodiversity loss. The European Union's proposed law on restoring nature is a crucial step towards protecting ecosystems, ensuring food security, and mitigating the effects of global warming.
(Photo : Wikimedia Commons / Wolfgang Moroder) The Geisler peaks in Villnöß, South Tyrol.
However, opposition from political groups such as the EPP and conflicting opinions among liberal MEPs have hindered progress toward this goal. It is imperative to remember that restoring nature does not only benefit environmentalists but also farmers who rely on healthy soil, clean water sources, and pollinators for crop production.
Furthermore, NGOs stress that failure to act now will result in irreversible damage to our planet's natural systems. The EU must prioritize sustainable development goals over short-term economic gains if we are serious about creating a better future for ourselves and future generations.
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