This story is set in an area in West Sussex that has been rewilded. Just like in “The Invisible Girl and the Impossible Otter”, nature has been left to thrive and flourish in areas where it may have typically been restricted. Giving up land that was previously built on or farmed may feel like backwards progress, but it’s important to protect and restore carbon sinks. These are areas of nature that soak up a lot of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, like forests, coastal wetlands and peatlands. Carbon is stored in the leaves and roots of the plants there, keeping it out of the atmosphere.
Believe it or not, Great Britain used to be covered in rainforest! Pockets of temperate rainforest still exist across the British Isles, but they are rare. Rainforests are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth. Imagine how beneficial it would be to our planet if we could do more to encourage rainforest growth!
The choices we make will affect future generations for centuries to come. It’s important to think about what kind of resources we’re leaving for them. The reason the planet is in such danger now is because of the actions of previous generations. We need to work to preserve our planet for our children and grandchildren.
Next time you’re walking through your neighbourhood, take a look at the layout of the land. Are there any areas which have been paved over and left unused? Imagine if there were little gardens of life in all those public spaces!