In Pictures: Preserving our environment after Brexit

In the UK we have rich and diverse wildlife, a thriving renewable energy scene, and beautiful, clean beaches. At present, it’s the EU who upholds our environmental standards through legal frameworks like the Birds Directive or Bathing Water Directive.

Here’s a glimpse of some of the natural beauty that exists in the UK as well as the risks to habitats, water and air quality, if the government doesn’t live up to its promise of a ‘Green Brexit’.

The Shiant Isles are home to large populations of seabirds, including thousands of Razorbills.

Left: Puffins are photographed Puffins on the Isle of Canna, one of The Small Isles in the Sea of Hebrides, Scotland. Right: The Galtachan rocks are viewed from Eilean Taighe.

Left: Plastic rubbish is collected by the residents of the Isle of Eigg at Singing Sands beach. Right: A Plastic bottle lies on the beach in the Shiant Isles.

Children play on a clean Blackpool Beach in September 2016

In 1990 Blackpool Beach is covered in raw sewage and other waste. In 2016 the beach is clean due to the Bathing Water Directive,

This Comparison image shows Blackpool Beach in 1990 and 2016. In 1990 the beach is covered in raw sewage and other waste, in 2016 the beach is clean due to the Bathing Water Directive, a regulation set by the EU.

Left: A seal is photographed near Mull, in Scotland. Right: A Minke whale swims in the Hebrides, Scotland.

Left: This mixed meadow of Corncockle Cornflowers, Field Poppies and Oxeye daisies was sown to attract and support local insects at Vane Farm RSPB reserve by Loch Leven, Scotland. Right: A Meadow Pipit is photographed in Gloucestershire.

Eggborough Power Station is a large coal fired power station in North Yorkshire

Yelvertoft wind farm is located near Cranford, Northamptonshire, UK.

Left: A photograph of Meadow brown butterfly Right: A Meadow grasshopper is photographed in the Dunyeats Hill nature reserve.

Nodding Donkeys run by Igas are photographed near Beckingham in Lincolnshire

Left: Air pollution and traffic photographed in Brixton Road, Brixton, London. Right: An exhaust pipe is photographed in Birmingham city center.

The Shiant Isles are home to large populations of seabirds, including thousands of Puffins.

Gannets photographed at Bass Rock in Scotland

We must protect what we have. Sign the petition to make sure the government delivers a ‘Green Brexit’ >

Angela Glienicke, Picture Editor at Greenpeace UK