An innovative experiment in Somerset is helping the local community grasp the reality of pollution from wildlife’s perspective, as part of a plan for a transformative three-decade shift in environmental stewardship. The research, aptly titled “Risks Beyond Human Eyes”, invited locals to step into the shoes of various wildlife species affected by pollution in the River Tone area.
The daily hardships that wildlife endure due to human activity is the focus of this unique research, conducted by the University of the West of England and the Accelerator for Systemic Risk Assessment (ASRA). Phil Tovey, the Director of ASRA, emphasised the importance of understanding the challenges from an animal’s viewpoint. His work aims to highlight how human actions often exacerbate the struggles of wildlife, going beyond just their basic needs for survival.
As part of the experiment, eighteen individuals were trained about the specific physiological and sensory abilities of various animals namely red deer, kestrel, earthworm, otter or salmon. They then tried to experience the world from the viewpoint of their assigned animal. Jake Lawy, one of the volunteers, dove into the polluted rivers of Somerset, living the life of an Atlantic salmon. His experience shed light on the pressing issues of habitat destruction, and the passive damage caused by human infrastructure on wildlife.
The research doesn’t merely focus on the declining numbers of wildlife, but rather on the quality of life for the individuals within the population. This groundbreaking study, supported by the Ecological Citizen Network, has successfully identified and documented the various risks facing the wildlife, publishing them in an online database.
Using this data, Tovey and the Somerset community have undertaken a strategic plan to restore the River Tone over the next 30 years, drawing on Tovey’s military planning experience. The details of this campaign are not fully disclosed, reflecting the serious and strategic nature of the plan.
With the help of tools from the Global Nonviolent Action Database, a digital archive of peaceful campaign methods, the community is ready to progressively implement increasingly assertive, yet nonviolent tactics. Tovey stressed the potential of community groups to drive significant change, reinforcing the importance of taking ownership of local environments and wildlife.
