Patch of the Planet specialises in garden design and eco training in Warrington and the surrounding area.

SOMETIMES things need to be said. Sometimes they need to be shouted.

So this is a call to action.

This week brings startling news from the UN Global Assessment – one million species are threatened with extinction, caused by just one species – us. Just let that figure sink in. One million.

Factor in the knock-on effects this has to all the other links in the ecological chain, all the connecting cogs in the natural, global machine, and the future looks grim.

Ecological collapse means irreversible biodiversity losses on a massive scale leading to a whole plethora of problems, including food shortages and ultimately our own demise. Doing nothing is simply not an option. We at Patch of the Planet are no strangers to taking action on environmental issues.

We’ve been on marches, organised campaigns and set up Patch of the Planet itself, which aims to design gardens that work for people and nature at the same time.

Warrington Guardian:

But there’s so much more to be done, and it’s down to all of us.

You can start in the garden. Don’t let it stop there, but you can make a great first impact in your own patch. Here are some things you can do to help:

  • Go organic, now. Stop using pesticides and chemicals in the garden and look to permaculture for the answers.
  • Don’t buy peat, ever. Peat bogs have taken millions of years to form and support a huge diversity of plants and animals and trap greenhouse gases in the soil. It’s dug out to enrich the soil to grow plants. When it’s gone, it’s gone. There are better ways to improve soil. Get in touch with us for a free fact sheet.
  • Plant a tree. Even a small garden can host a tree and there’s something very special about planting one that will stick around longer than us. Trees absorb CO2 and support many birds and insects.
  • Go wild. Leave an area of your garden to do its own thing. A little patch where nature gets on top of things. There’ll be a whole host of new wildlife if you have a few nettles, logs piles, dead leaves and wildflowers in long grass. It can also look very beautiful.
  • Choose the right plants for feeding bees, birds and other insects.
  • Keep it real. Don’t even think about astroturf. Smothering the soil in plastic gives nothing a chance to live.
  • Share your space – make your garden a habitat for our wilder neighbours, from bird and bat boxes, to hollow stems in autumn plants.
  • Lend your support to those groups making a difference. There’s a place for everyone. (Friends of the Earth, Warrington Permaculture Network, Extinction Rebellion)
  • Learn more –search for ‘permaculture’ online.
  • Vote wisely. A lot of changes need to be made at a higher level so keep the pressure on the politicians to make sure the environment is protected for now and for future generations. We’d love to help you too. Do get in touch for more information about this article or support in making change happen.