'Empower young people to be bold conservationists'

BBC Springwatch presenter Chris Packham has said young people should be empowered to become the brave and bold conservationists of the future.

The naturalist was visiting the University of East Anglia in Norwich as part of the centenary celebrations for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.

"Typically young people are clearer thinking, clearer speaking, they're not so risk averse," he said.

He also praised the work of fellow TV conservationist Sir David Attenborough, who had "taught generations of young people to develop a deep-rooted love for the natural world".

Packham is a co-presenter of the long-running BBC Two wildlife programme, as well as a campaigner and author.

Speaking to BBC Look East's Amelia Reynolds, he said he had been visiting Norfolk since the late 1970s, including with Springwatch to broadcast from Wild Ken Hill by the coast.

"You've got sandy dunes, you've got muddy coasts, you've got reedbeds, you've got dry heath, you've got all this farmland as well," he said.

"With all that diversity of habitat over Norfolk, it attracts a great range of species."

He praised Norfolk Wildlife Trust for "diligently documenting everything that lives in our county".

The trust was founded by Dr Sydney Long after he purchased 435 acres of marsh at Cley next the Sea in 1926.

Past conservation efforts have focused on preserving nature reserves and Packham now wants people to work with farmers and foresters to help "reshape the landscape" so it is "healthier".

"I think what we need at the moment are some brave and bold politicians who are going to accept that we are in a crisis and we have to act," he added.

"Climate breakdown will be impacting the farmers here and their capacity to produce food... please don't think that the nature crisis and the climate crisis is not having an impact on the cost of living crisis, because it very definitely is."

In 2022, research by the London School of Economics and Political Science predicted that climate change would cost the UK the equivalent of 3.3% of its GDP by 2050.

Agricultural production would be seriously impacted by drier ground, the study also said.

Packham believes his campaigning activities would be harder if it were not for Attenborough — who is soon to celebrate his 100th birthday.

"He is the greatest broadcaster the world has ever had and the greatest ambassador of life. He has entertained, engaged, enraptured people, he has taught generations of young people to have a deep-rooted affinity, a love, for the natural world," he said.

"And without that, when people like myself go knocking on the door, asking for support, it wouldn't be there."

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