Committee welcomes Crown Estate Bill

A Holyrood Committee has welcomed the Scottish Crown Estate Bill in a new report, while also suggesting ways it could be strengthened. The Scottish Parliament’s Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee made a series of recommendations followings its examination of the Scottish Crown Estate Bill. Continue reading Committee welcomes Crown Estate Bill

World leaders: Scotland’s Climate Change legislation set to be ‘toughest in the world’

Scotland will become one of the first countries to achieve a 100% reduction in carbon emissions, Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham announced last week.  Continue reading World leaders: Scotland’s Climate Change legislation set to be ‘toughest in the world’

Household recycling is causing “fatbergs”

Nappies, fatbergs, rubbish due to recycling waste costing a fortune to clear

People who cause blocked sewers through flushing away inappropriate items and substances should pay fines to compensate for the clean-up costs. That’s the opinion of the UKs waste management agency which says that man-made blockages cost water companies millions of pounds every year, cause floods and are a potential health risk. Continue reading Household recycling is causing “fatbergs”

Campaigners seek legislation targeting plastic pellet producers

Twelve volunteers collected 180,000 nurdles in just two hours at Ferrycraigs, North Queensferry on Sunday 20th May, marking the latest evidence gathering effort, given the long history of chronic and sustained microplastic pollution in the Firth of Forth. Continue reading Campaigners seek legislation targeting plastic pellet producers

Edinburgh Festival of Cycling back for sixth year

Edinburgh Festival of Cycling

Thursday 7th – Sunday 24th June

The Edinburgh Festival of Cycling (EdFoC) is back for its sixth year and will be the biggest yet, not only extended to 18 days, but also going on tour, taking events to Glasgow and Dundee. The simple act of cycling can change lives and transform places, and urbanism and health are among this year’s themes. Continue reading Edinburgh Festival of Cycling back for sixth year

Finding hope for nature: Botanics welcomes The Lost Words

A poetic and artistic rallying-call for us all to stay connected with nature is set to inspire adults and children at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). The Lost Words (May 19 – September 2) is a stunning collection of  “spell” poems” and nature paintings – taking the form of both a book and an exhibition – in an award-winning collaboration between writer Robert Macfarlane and artist Jackie Morris. Continue reading Finding hope for nature: Botanics welcomes The Lost Words

Rodents no more: South Georgia declared rodent-free

World’s largest rodent eradication project a success

  • The UK Overseas Territory of South Georgia is officially declared free of rodents for the first time since humans arrived on the island over 200 years ago
  • Scottish-based charity the South Georgia Heritage Trust and its USA counterpart the Friends of South Georgia Island raised £10 million to finance the Habitat Restoration Project to eradicate invasive rodents
  • Covering 108,723 hectares (1087 km2), the Habitat Restoration Project is more than eight times larger than any other rodent eradication area ever tackled anywhere in the world
  • Three rodent detection dogs covered a total of 2420km, with their two female dog handlers walking 1608km, searching for signs of rats and mice as part of a comprehensive monitoring survey

Continue reading Rodents no more: South Georgia declared rodent-free

Local rail fund is just the ticket for Lothian, say Greens

Lothian could be on track to win a share of a new £2 million Local Rail Development Fund set up during the Scottish Greens’ negotiations with the Scottish Government over the 2018-19 budget. Continue reading Local rail fund is just the ticket for Lothian, say Greens