Severn Estuary - a quiet victory dance

The Severn Estuary is one of the most important estuarine environments in Europe. Home to a vast range of migratory and local birds as well as the insects and sea life that maintain those flocks geese, clusters of waders and assorted great wanderers of the seas and skies. It is also home to one of the most famous bores in the world - not a unique feature but still one of the wonders of Britains Rivers.

Slimbridge - at the heart of the estuary - is the birthplace of modern wildlife conservation as the brainchild of naturalist, Sir Peter Scott:

Slimbridge is home to an astounding array of wildlife including the world's largest collection of swans, geese, and ducks.

Yet, the emerging green industry lobby wished to destroy all this - to flood Slimbridge meaning it's purpose would be no more, to wash over the mudflats at Weston damaging important ecosystems and to make it so the great bore will never be seen again. This rape of natural England is being done in the name of 'climate change' and 'green energy' - an entire and unique natural environment destroyed so people can have cheap electricity.

Fortunately - at least for now - the Government has decided not to proceed with proposals for a 'Severn Barrier'. At present the reason is the lack of investment finance but I hope that, in time, we'll come to realise that it's no improvement if 'green' energy sources involve the destruction of unique habitats, the pillage of an entire ecosystem and unknown collateral damage to the wider environment.

We can perhaps start now to realise the need for an energy policy founded on commonsense, practicality and respect for the environment rather than one driven by 'green' fundamentalism. And that means nuclear power as well as wind, tide and water. Oh yes and some of that terrible oil and coal too!

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