Why the fight against the nature crisis is worthwhile

I've been a member of the UK's National History Museum for over 10 years. Visiting the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition is one of my favourite things to do in London. So it was a no-brainer when there was an opportunity to bring this prestigious competition, celebrating its 60th anniversary, to Pakistan, home to breathtaking biodiversity. And it's been a particular joy looking at it today, on World Wildlife Day.

My favourite shot, although they are all incredible, is that of Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, the winner of the 15-17 category, who managed to capture a tiny (2mm!) raspberry-coloured springtail about to eat a ballooning slime mold. It might sound gross, but the springtail eating the mold and excreting it is a great example of microorganisms hard at work to break down matter and improve soil quality, which in turn can improve nutrients for other plants. It's all part of the circle of life!

This competition, and these photographs, remind us of the beauty of our world, and that we must protect it. That's a mission close to my heart. The UK leads the Darwin Initiative and the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, both aimed at protecting global biodiversity. Globally, our work has prevented over 400,000 hectares of ecosystem from being lost, and we're protecting 2.7 million hectares of land with sustainable management practices.

Pakistan's biodiversity is something I've been lucky enough to see up close. But it has decreased by 69% between 1970 and 2022. We are not just in a climate crisis, but a nature crisis as well, and neither can be separated from the other.

Climate change brings with it destruction of habitats, food sources and an increase in diseases. It also separates the lines we've tried to build between the human and natural world, bringing conflict between wildlife and human communities who are also struggling to adapt to climate change. That's why building resilience to extreme climate change events is essential. Both to protect communities, and to protect nature.

That's what we try to do through our climate programming, where we've helped 1.5 million people improve their resilience to extreme climate events. We're working with climate vulnerable communities in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to help them improve their water systems. Not only is our work helping communities, but it also bringing benefits to local wildlife. And we're already seeing increased biodiversity around our groundwater recharge wells.

Protecting wildlife goes hand in hand with protecting our communities. Forest fires are not only devastating for biodiversity, but for the communities who live near them. We've helped fund AI technology to help detect and manage forest fires in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Four major forest fires and five smaller incidents have already been detected early through this technology, leading to a faster response and less damage, both to biodiversity and to communities.

We've been lucky to have the Exhibition tour in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad visited by thousands of Pakistanis. It's the first time any of the images have been on display here. The extraordinary photos are a reminder of why the fight against the nature crisis is worthwhile. They are a reminder that the world is teeming with life. In the soil, in the water, in the air and on land. And it is a reminder that it is this life that makes our small planet so special.

Photography is powerful. And that's why we will be launching our very own photography competition soon. Please do keep an eye on our social media channels at @UKinPakistan for details on how to enter. We know there is immense photography talent here in Pakistan, and I can't wait to see the entries!