Zack Polanski: Wild Card at the Wild Summit

About this episode:

Recorded live at the Wild Summit, Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, sits down with David Oakes to talk about what his “Green Britain” could actually look like. They probe the paradox at the heart of nature access, whether the Green Party’s environmental and social-justice instincts really pull in the same direction, and why Zack thinks capping corporate money in politics is a necessary precondition for making our country more full of nature. Along the way: commitments on bottom trawling and grouse moors, the UK’s legal target to protect 30% of green and blue spaces by 2030, and a belief that education lies at the heart of all of it. With time running out for the planet, champions of biodiversity are in short supply near the ballot box. Under Zack’s leadership, is Britain destined for a Green Party – or just green, partly?

David's thoughts:

The Green Party has long been the focus for environmentalists like myself who desire change within the political system – a change focused upon the environment and biodiversity, and upon global climate concerns. One need only look at the current political manifestos and actions of the key party leaders to realise why those with an interest in conservation feel so under-represented. It was particularly sad to have neither our Prime Minister, nor his head of DEFRA, at the Wild Summit – the largest nature lobby group’s largest ever get-together. Instead the Government sent the newly appointed Under-Secretary of State for Nature; good, but not good enough if one wanted to be convinced that the Government was taking nature-depletion seriously. It has often seemed to me that the Green Party operates as a useful sink for these other parties; permitting tree-huggers like myself to be catered for, whilst permitting the other parties to disregard and ignore our Environmental concerns. We remain on the fringes and keep shouting, albeit supposedly represented with our one or two hoarse MPs.

But as our country moves into more of a multi-party state, one not simply alternately governed by two feuding lead parties, the Green Party’s voice is becoming one less easy to ignore (as are sadly those on the Right fringe). I don’t believe I’m alone in saying that we are, therefore, as environmentalists, slightly disheartened that climate and biodiversity agendas are often sidelined at the moment in favour of those of political reform and social justice – even if we also agree with that Social agenda. I believe that if we get nature right, social betterment follows; I do not necessarily believe the reverse is true.

As Zack is keen to make clear in this interview, he does not see the environment, social policy or political reform as separate entities – they are intermingled and multifaceted. I don’t disagree. But I worry that by prioritising political reform over green policies, for example, that the often sole political voice representing the Planet in Parliament might be distracted. We simply do not have the time for that.

I spoke to Zack for a short while following this recording. He asked me about how his speech had been received earlier that day, and whether I had any advice for him. I was blunt: Environmentalists will support the Green Party out of necessity, they will push him as far as we can. To that end, using his political capital to secure our vote is perhaps not the most efficient use of his time. But, those in the Green have spent decades protesting and fighting for our planet. If he were to exhibit bold eco-agendas as the figure-head for his movement, if he makes clear precise goals for biodiversity, nature restoration, agricultural reform, green and clean energy, animal welfare… if he does this, he will mobilise a legacy dating back to Rothman, Carson, Leopold & Mendes, not just that of the more recent Thunberg by whom he is so greatly inspired. He will get even the most politically-averse eco-warriors fighting for his potential victories in Westminster. We so desperately need a conservationist in Parliament. I hope Zack heeds my hope.