Public investment in nature is vital for Scotland’s economy
27 November 2024
The seminal review on the Economics of Biodiversity by Sir Partha Dasgupta set out the simple truth that the economy is embedded in nature and that as our most precious asset nature provides the foundation for our economic prospects. More alarmingly, we are drawing down more from nature than its ability to replenish itself.
Building new homes for wildlife
19 November 2024
In a few weeks, the Scottish Government will be announcing their latest budget and it’s vital that it includes strong support for nature restoration. Nature is in trouble, there’s no two ways about it. As a society, we have a lot of work to do if we’re going to help Scotland achieve a nature-positive future. However, despite the challenges, this is a future that is within our grasp.
Nature must not lose out in Scotland’s budget
18 November 2024
This month the Scottish government published research showing that Scotland’s nature contributes more than £40 billion to the economy and supports around 260,000 jobs. By any standards, that means nature – the complex array of life with which we share this land and its surrounding seas – plays a massive role in our economic life.
Scotland must protect nature budgets
1 November 2024
The Scottish Government must protect spending on the natural environment in its upcoming budget, campaigners have said. The call comes after it was announced that the Scottish Government will receive an additional £3.4 billion in funding following the UK budget. Earlier this year Scottish Ministers were criticised after money allocated to councils for nature restoration […]
Where are all the bees?
3 October 2024
Earlier this summer I found myself repeatedly asking an uncomfortable question: where are all the bees? It turned out I was not alone in being disturbed by the silence in my garden – which, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust explained, was caused by a longer than usual gap between the emergence of queen and worker bees. This gap […]
Campaigners welcome pledge to introduce new nature law
4 September 2024
Commenting on the Programme for Government, Deborah Long, Chief Officer at Scottish Environment LINK, said: “The First Minister’s commitment to introduce a Natural Environment Bill is great news for everyone who cares about Scotland’s environment. “Through the Scotland Loves Nature campaign, more than 40 organisations had called on the Scottish Government to bring forward this […]
Cuts to Scotland’s nature restoration fund a misguided step
3 September 2024
This article first appeared in The Scotsman. Scotland’s response to lockdown was to fall in love with nature. The more we were limited to our homes, the more we realised how much nature meant to us and how much it helped us feel better when the world felt bleak. Have we forgotten that? The natural […]
7 in 10 people in rural Scotland want greener farming and fishing
29 August 2024
7 in 10 people living in rural Scotland believe the Scottish Government should do more to make farming and fishing environmentally sustainable, according to a new poll. The findings will put more pressure on Scottish Ministers to deliver for the environment as campaigners await detail of the new agricultural funding system and crucial decisions on […]
8 in 10 people in Scotland have noticed environmental harm in their local area
21 August 2024
Campaigners call for new nature law as three quarters of people in Scotland worried about natural environment The overwhelming majority of people in Scotland have noticed environmental harm in their local area and are worried about the natural environment, according to new polling. Two thirds say they have noticed the impact of climate change in […]
Campaign calls for new law to protect environment
17 July 2024
Three quarters of Scots back legal targets to restore nature Leading environmental groups have today launched a new campaign calling on the Scottish government to bring forward legislation to protect nature. The campaign, Scotland Loves Nature, is backed by 43 organisations, including RSPB Scotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, and WWF Scotland. The coalition are demanding […]
Letter to First Minister: Environment charities launch Scotland Loves Nature campaign
16 July 2024
On 11 July Deborah Long, chief officer of Scottish Environment LINK, wrote to First Minister John Swinney announcing the forthcoming launch of the Scotland Loves Nature campaign.