In Belfast, on 10 January 2022, Mollie Rose's favourite part of her walk to school was torn apart and fed into a wood chipper. Without proper consultation or Environmental Impact Assessment, this lovely path was cleared of all its habitats, including 100 old-year old trees - a millenium of tree-growth - leaving only diesel stains and stumps behind. Ironically, the trees were removed as part of a flood alleviation plan - one that is being carried out along the Lagan with no Environmental Impact Assessment, because, under current legislation, none is required. 

Whatever the merits of the plan, its implementation has revealed the powerlessness of citizens and the vulnerability of habitats and environmental heritage in Northern Ireland - in a time of Climate Emergency.

The destruction of the natural environment that is happening on a daily basis and which citizens in N.Ireland  are uniquely unable to stop. Northern Ireland is the only region in the UK and Europe without an independent environmental agency.* There is no proper legislative protection for trees, habitats, air, waters or soil, and the wildlife that depend upon them. 

Instead, departments set their own rules when it comes to assessing the potential impact of their decisions on the environment. And the patchwork of confusing and overlapping departmental responsibilities makes it near-impossible to hold any one to account for the consequences of such decisions. The planning system in NI works on the basis of a ‘presumption to develop’, rather than on any long term consideration for the consequences for the natural world or climate change. 

Future generations cannot fight these battles. It's up to us to do our best to protect what's left of Mollie Rose's natural world. It's hers. As a first step, we demand that the Assembly pass legislation to establish an independent Environmental Protection Agency in Northern Ireland.

@saveourlagan

* https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jan/18/northern-ireland-environment-plan-weak-flawed-dirty-corner-europe