Gen Z turns to birding amid UK bird population decline
5 reported
According to a report by the British Trust for Ornithology, Britain has lost 73 million wild birds over the last 50 years due to habitat loss, pesticides, disease, cats, and the climate crisis. The article notes that a psychological phenomenon called ‘shifting baseline syndrome’ makes it difficult for young people to appreciate the scale of the loss, as each generation inherits a degraded environment. However, Gen Z is bucking this trend, with birding becoming popular thanks to social media and the Merlin Bird ID app. The Guardian’s Madeleine Finlay discussed this shift with writer Robert Macfarlane and Jess Painter, a member of the RSPB’s youth council, in a podcast episode.
What’s reported
Britain has lost 73 million wild birds in the last 50 years, per the British Trust for Ornithology.
Causes include habitat loss, pesticides, disease, cats, and the climate crisis.
‘Shifting baseline syndrome’ means each generation inherits a degraded environment and does not notice the overall decline.
Gen Z is embracing birdwatching, aided by social media and the Merlin Bird ID app.
The Guardian podcast features writer Robert Macfarlane and Jess Painter of the RSPB’s youth council.
Key figures
Robert Macfarlane, writer
Jess Painter, member of the RSPB’s youth council
Madeleine Finlay, Guardian journalist
Sources: The Guardian
