Near to where I live there is a lovely little town called West Kirby. Its beauty lies mainly in its promenade that overlooks the River Dee, the other side of which is Wales, which graciously offers a view of its landscape mapped out against the skyline. When the sun sets it truly is a staggering place to be. I feel blessed to be able to visit there, as it is the type of location that serves as a reminder of how miraculous our planet can be and therefore how crucial it is that we protect it. More important than its aesthetic value is the fact that its beaches are classed as Cheshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves as they are home to various species of animals, such as Atlantic grey seals. My connection to the area in recent years has caused me to view it as a sort of microcosm for the wider world. If it is threatened by plastic pollution or redevelopment proposals it reminds me of the same threats that the global natural world constantly faces, whether actual or potential. Unfortunately, idyllic spaces don’t remain sacred for long without some sort of challenge and West Kirby has had its share. The main threat it has faced was in 2015, when the River Dee Estuary was proposed as a potential site for fracking or, as it is otherwise known, Underground Coal Gasification (UCG).
