Yesterday, I headed to London to march alongside up to 100,000 people, families, individuals, nature organisations, environmental groups, gardeners, gatherers, young and old from all walks of life with the same goal, to Restore Nature Now. I feel so proud of every single one us, because we showed up and we’ll continue to show up until we have a Government that puts the climate crisis front and centre, one that refuses to issue new oil and gas licenses, transitions to renewables as fast as possible, invests in green technology, protects nature, introduces a circular economy, and encourages businesses to move away from tired and unsustainable linear models where success is based solely on profit.

Following the march, which started in Park Lane and ended in Parliament Square, we listened to passionate, inspirational and bold speakers including Chris Packham, Megan McCubbin, Asad Rehman (his speech blew me away), Liz Bonnin, Steve Backshall, Dale Vince, Nadeem Perera and others, who rallied against those in power who have no regard for the state of our rivers and seas, our air, our water, the damage industrial farming and fishing is causing our soils, waterways, insects and marine life, the massive loss of biodiversity; we’re living in one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. This is shameful. How have we allowed that to happen on our watch? Because we want more and more and more and we give no consideration to the consequences. We make, ship, sell and discontinue products with no regard to the end of their lifecycle and as consumers we buy those products in the same blinkered state. We are sleepwalking our way into catastrophe but the alarm is ringing and it’s time to wake up.

One of the speakers (I think it was Chris Packham) said, “We each have to find our inner activist” and I couldn’t agree more, we have an absolute responsibility to do this. So, what does that look like? Are you expected to spray paint a building or glue yourself to the railings in Westminster? No, of course not. Being an activist comes in many guises, by choosing to fly less you’re being an activist; by eating less meat you’re being an activist; by buying food from local farmers and growers instead of supermarkets you’re being an activist; by composting your food waste you’re being an activist; by moving your money, savings and pensions from banks and finance companies that invest in oil, gas and arms you’re being an activist; by taking a microscope to your business and making it a force for good you’re being an activist. There are so many ways to take action and if more of us start consciously making these changes and hold our government to account, we can make huge strides in righting some of the wrongs we’ve caused resulting in a much happier, more successful and prosperous environment for planet and people today. #RestoreNatureNow.