THE Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, has backed a Bill requiring the Secretary of State to take the necessary steps for Britain’s chalk streams to be awarded UNESCO World Heritage status and recognised and protected as among the rarest habitats in the world.
Only about 200 chalk streams are known to exist worldwide, about 85 per cent of which are in England, many of them in the diocese of Norwich. Chalk streams support more species of plants than any other type of English river, and provide habitat for threatened wildlife, including the water vole, brown trout, southern damselfly, white-clawed crayfish, and Atlantic salmon.
Sewage discharges, agricultural pollution, and climate change are placing increasing pressure on the rivers, however, some of which run dry in summertime.
Bishop Usher was recently named the new “edie 100” list as one of the 100 most influential sustainability and climate leaders in the UK.
The Church of England’s lead bishop for the environment, and the Anglican Communion’s and lead bishop for biodiversity, he helped to create the Church of England’s Net Zero Carbon 2030 programme, and, as a member of the House of Lords, he scrutinises proposed environmental legislation
His support for the the Chalk Streams (UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site) Bill, which was introduced to Parliament on 25 February, is separate from his work in the Upper House, however.
He said this week: “People are rightly horrified by the destruction of rainforests thousands of miles away — but sometimes seem less concerned about collapsing ecosystems almost literally on our doorstep. Christians are called to advocate for God’s creation. In our nature-impoverished land, this means protecting our heritage of natural wonders, including precious chalk streams.”
In October, Bishop Usher’s amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, to protect chalk streams, was passed by 196 votes to 137 in the House of Lords, but subsequently failed to gain approval from the House of Commons. Concessions were negotiated with the Government, to be included in future legislation.
On his listing in the edie 100 — named after Edie, “a charismatic and devoted tea lady” who worked its publishers, Faversham House — Bishop Usher said: “This recognition is for everyone in the Church of England working to protect the natural world and reverse biodiversity loss. It is part of our duty as Christians to care for and celebrate God’s wonderful creation — and speak up when we see it being harmed.”