environment – Page 17 – The NEN

Climate campaigners stage “Love Trees, Axe Drax” protest

Climate justice campaigners from groups including Extinction Rebellion Edinburgh, Biofuelwatch, Fuel Poverty Action, Stop Burning Trees, Protest in Harmony and Parents for Future Scotland have staged a musical and dance demonstration in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh as part of a UK-wide mobilisation for Drax’s AGM which is taking place in London today.

Drax is the UK’s single largest carbon emitter and the world’s biggest tree burner.

The ‘Love Trees, Axe Drax’ protest featured speeches, dancing by the Scotland Tree Gees to ‘Staying Alive’ by the Bee Gees as well as singing led by Protest in Harmony, including Drax-themed lyrics to ‘Hit the Road Drax’ and ‘Money Money Money’ by Abba.

The Edinburgh demonstration is part of a wider online and in-person mobilisation for Drax’s AGM today, with other protests happening in York, Liverpool and outside the AGM in London to call for an end to Drax’s tree-burning subsidies.

In 2024, Drax received £869 million in green subsidies from UK energy bills, whilst making nearly £1.1 billion in profit and giving its CEO, Will Gardiner, a salary of nearly £3m.

In February this year, the Government announced plans to use UK energy bills to extend Drax’s renewable subsidies until 2031, contrary to the advice of the Climate Change Committee [4], and with no obligation for the company to capture any of the carbon dioxide it emits.

Sally Clark from Biofuelwatch said: ‘There is nothing green or sustainable about Drax’s tree burning, climate-wrecking emissions and harm to communities and wildlife. The Government needs to reconsider its catastrophic plans to grant huge new tree-burning subsidies for Drax.

‘If we are to keep global temperature rises below 1.5 degrees and ensure a liveable future for all, we need to protect and restore the world’s forests, not allow big polluters like Drax to log and burn them.’

Cathy Allen from Extinction Rebellion Edinburgh said: ‘It is shocking that Drax is receiving billions in renewable subsidies from our energy bills to burn trees and pollute communities around the world.

“This is the opposite of green energy and the government’s plans to waste even more of our money on new subsidies for Drax will be a disaster for the planet if they go ahead.

‘If the Government is serious about climate leadership, it should invest in real solutions like warm homes and wind and solar power, not send our futures up in smoke with even more money for Drax’s climate-wrecking tree burning.’

Drax has repeatedly been accused of driving ‘environmental racism’ by communities in the Southern US living near Drax’s pellet mills, which emit harmful pollutants linked to asthma, cancer and pulmonary health issues.

Earlier this month, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality refused Drax’s permit application to expand air pollution at its wood pellet mill in Gloster, Mississippi due to public health concerns and following multiple fines for Drax over air pollution violations.

Merry Dickinson, Lead Campaigner for the Stop Burning Trees Coalition said: ‘Today, Drax is gathering with its shareholders to discuss the profits it’s made from ripping off bill payers, burning forests and polluting communities abroad. Drax’s profits are built off scamming bill payers, destroying vital forests and polluting Black and low income communities in the US.

‘It is a disgrace that the Government has just granted Drax more of our money to continue polluting our planet. We will not stand by and allow Drax’s destruction to go unchecked. The future is in real green energy and green jobs, not Drax’s dirty tree burning and pollution.’

Stuart Bretherton from Fuel Poverty Action said: ‘To stick further costs onto our energy bills, to continue subsidising record breaking profits from Drax’s destroying and burning of vital forests, is criminal.

“It’s not hard to find the solutions that could reduce bills and boost energy security without betraying our climate targets and harming communities here and abroad.

“This government should be looking at why the unit price of electricity is still tied to that of gas, forcing us to pay far more to heat our homes this way even though renewable electricity is much cheaper to produce.

“And why are we paying out huge sums of public money for wind and solar farms to switch off during the highest periods of production, when this excess clean energy could power our homes for next to nothing, literally for free?”

Last week, a new report by the Public Accounts Committee raised concerns that wood-burning companies like Drax are ‘marking their own homework’ when it comes to meeting sustainability standards.

BBC Panorama investigations have found that Drax is continuing to log primary forests in British Columbia in Canada and the company has failed more than once to report that it is sourcing wood to burn from previously untouched forests in Canada.

British-built satellite to map Earth’s forests in 3D for the first time

A satellite developed by British academics and engineers is set to become the first in the world to measure the condition of the Earth’s forests in 3D from space

The European Space Agency (ESA) Biomass Earth observation mission, which launched successfully from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana yesterday, aims to enhance our understanding of the world’s forests and their role in the carbon cycle.

The mission will use state-of-the-art radar technology to uncover new insights into forests, including their size and weight, and areas of deforestation.

This work will be crucial to helping us understand how tropical forests are changing and provide critical data to understand the carbon cycle and help develop climate strategies.

Biomass taking to the skies on 29 April 2025. Credit: ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin

The concept was conceived in Yorkshire, at the University of Sheffield by Professor Shaun Quegan, working with the National Centre for Earth Observation in Leicester. Other academics from the University of Edinburgh and UCL have brought modelling and data assimilation expertise to the application of Biomass data.

Since 2016 the UK has won almost £77 million in contracts for Biomass through its membership of ESA.

Minister for Space Sir Chris Bryant said: “The Biomass mission showcases British ingenuity at its very best, from conception in Sheffield to construction in Stevenage.

“Britain is not only stepping to the forefront of the space industry, but of global climate action too.

“Contributing to such great extent to a European mission set to deliver vital global results is testament to the UK’s industrial and academic expertise in space technology and will attract global investment into our vibrant space ecosystem, helping us boost growth and deliver our Plan for Change.”

Biomass was built by Airbus in Stevenage, UK. Credit: Airbus.

Shaun Quegan, University of Sheffield’s Professor and lead proposer of the mission concept to the European Space Agency, said: “It’s been a privilege to have led the team in the development of a pioneering mission that will revolutionise our understanding of the volume of carbon held in the most impenetrable tropical rainforests on the planet and, crucially, how this is changing over time.

“Our research has solved critical operational scientific problems in constructing the Biomass satellite.”

Conceived and built in the UK, Biomass is a brilliant example of what we can achieve in collaboration with our partners in industry and academia. The mission is the culmination of decades of highly innovative work in partnership with some of the best scientists in Europe and the US.

Airbus UK is the Prime Contractor and has manufactured the satellite in Stevenage. Throughout construction, it has supported approximately 250 highly skilled jobs, benefitting the local economy and bolstering the UK’s 52,000-strong space workforce.

Kata Escott, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space in the UK, said: “Biomass is a groundbreaking mission that will advance our understanding of how carbon is stored in the world’s forests – delivering crucial data in the fight against climate change.

“With more than 50 companies involved across 20 nations, the team in Stevenage has shown exceptional leadership in delivering this flagship ESA mission.”

Many other businesses in the UK supply chain have contributed, including ABSL in Abingdon, which has provided the battery, European Astrotech UK in Westcott, which has provided test services, and Nammo, in Cheltenham, providing the service valves.

Its revolutionary technology will help scientists capture vital data on the changes to carbon in forests as ecosystems are increasingly impacted by deforestation. The satellite will create a 3D map of tropical forests after 17 months, then new (non-3D) maps every 9 months for the rest of the 5-year mission, providing insights normally hidden from human sight because of the difficulty in accessing these environments.

Both deforestation, which releases carbon dioxide, and forest growth, which soaks up CO2 from the atmosphere, are crucial parts of climate change.

Data on the biomass of tropical forests is very limited because they are difficult to access.

The Biomass satellite will be able to penetrate cloud cover and measure forest biomass more accurately than any current technology, which only see the top of the canopy. By providing better data it will help create a more accurate global carbon budget and better understanding of carbon sinks and sources which will help in developing and implementing effective strategies to achieve net-zero goals.

Observations will also lead to better insight into the rates of habitat loss and, as a result, the effect this may have on biodiversity in the forest environment.

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “The Biomass satellite represents a major leap forward in our ability to understand Earth’s carbon cycle.

“By mapping the world’s forests from space in unprecedented detail, it will provide critical insights into how our planet is responding to climate change — helping scientists, policymakers, and conservationists take informed action.

“We’re proud of the leading role the UK has played in this important mission.”

Three local projects backed by RSE and Williamson Trust

Three Edinburgh-based community projects have been awarded a total of more than £14,000 in research funding by the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) and Williamson Trust to promote healthy living.

Lauriston Farm and local environmental artist Natalie Taylor will benefit from a share of the funding pot, along with Leith-based Earth in Common.

Lauriston Farm, run by a workers’ cooperative, is dedicated to sustainable food production, biodiversity, and community. They will use their award of £4550 to develop a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilisers using Aerated Compost Teas, a process of mixing compost with water and then introducing oxygen into the mixture.

Despite their potential, practical guidance for integrating compost teas into commercial market gardens and the potential benefits remains limited. The project is aiming to bridge that gap by refining recipes and protocols to make knowledge of Aerated Compost Teas production accessible and effective for both commercial growers and people at home.

Grower and Coop Director Jossie Ellis said: “This funding will enable us to advance our experiments using Aerated Compost Teas in the Market Garden, which will help to improve soil health, crop resilience, and sustainable food production.

“With this support, we hope to refine our methodologies, share findings with growers, and contribute to a more regenerative food system.”

Environmental artist Natalie Taylor has received £4500 for her Scran Fir Bees project to extend a series of existing public space artworks incorporating wildflowers to provide nectar-rich habitats and food sources for pollinators.

Her long-term vision is that these artworks, using large-scale text cut into the landscape, will join up to eventually form a bee corridor across the North of Edinburgh.

Natalie Taylor said: “I am so pleased to be able to work alongside local communities to design, develop and implement the new environmental artwork, sharing skills in meadow maintenance and strategic seeding to increase local biodiversity.

“Through fun, creative workshops, I will highlight the importance of our relationship with insect pollinators, which contribute vital services to roughly one-third of our food. I see this creative action for biodiversity as really important at the moment due to the ongoing crisis in pollinator populations, especially in urban environments such as Edinburgh where there are so many natural spaces where we can potentially help them.”

The Edinburgh projects are among 16 innovative community-led research projects across Scotland to receive funding from the RSE and the Williamson Trust.

A total of £73,625 has been given to a range of creative projects to foster healthy communities as part of the Healthy Planet, Healthy People awards.

Meanwhile, Earth in Common, based at Leith Community Croft, which includes a market garden, an orchard, and a community area shared by over 100 growers, has been awarded £5000.

The Croft is situated on Common Good land inspired by the Gaelic concept of dùthchas – the deep-rooted connection between people and the land.

They will use the funding to gather data on cultivated and wild plants and pollinators, which will help formulate strategies for biodiversity conservation and inform a guidance manual for urban green spaces across Scotland.

Evie Murray, CEO of Earth in Common, said: “This award will boost our mission to demonstrate that urban crofts, such as our model Leith Community Croft, can effectively address multiple societal and environmental issues. With its orchard, wild areas, market garden and unique system of group-shared food-growing plots, it has already been shown to foster great biodiversity.

“This will empower our ‘Crofters’ – local residents – to develop citizen-science skills to monitor and further increase biodiversity. This should benefit them as individuals and foster pride and engagement in land stewardship in densely populated Leith.

“We hope that the methodology we collectively develop will be widely shared and can have a significant positive impact on nature and people’s relationship with it across Scotland.”

This is the second year of the awards, generously funded by the Williamson Trust, a charitable organisation. The strength of the applications in the second round of the funding programme resulted in four additional projects being awarded financial support.

Professor David E Salt FRSE, Chair of the Williamson Trust, said: “This year, we again have an amazing diversity of projects, from dolphins, bees, seeds, orchards, woodlands and lochs to food banks, composting, urban crofts and coffee shops. We truly look to invest in hope and the power of ideas wherever they arise.

“The trustees at the Williamson Trust are excited to fund 16 great community-led projects from across Scotland.

“Applications to the Healthy Planet, Healthy People Community-led Research Awards continue to grow, demonstrating the strong desire of communities in Scotland to develop local solutions to the ongoing global challenges to our environment, our communities and our food.

“The Trust hopes that these locally focused projects can find solutions to the challenges the local communities face and that these solutions can also have wider application.”

RSE Vice President, Research, Professor Anne Anderson OBE FRSE, commented: “This marks the second round of RSE ‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People’: Community-led Research Awards, which were introduced to expand the Society’s range of awards and the type of research we support.

“The health of people and the environment are closely connected, and I hope that these awards will strengthen these innovative research groups and drive positive change in both areas. I look forward to following their progress and achievements over the coming year.”

ECCAN: Climate Bites Events

Host a Climate Bites Lunch with ECCAN

Bring our vibrant community to your space, spark conversations over great food, and connect your network with ECCAN’s work!

As a host, you’ll create a welcoming space for collaboration while receiving a hosting fee to support your efforts. Already provide community meals? We’ll also cover through an additional catering fee!

Interested? Learn more on our website https://tinyurl.com/22smudy2 or email edinburgh@eccan.scot.

Let’s grow the climate movement—one meal at a time!

#ClimateBites

#ECCAN

#CommunityAction

Less than half of Scots say reaching net zero will improve quality of life

Mixed views on climate crisis

Almost half (44%) of Scots think that reaching net zero by 2045 would improve their quality of life – compared to just 1 in 10 who think it would make it worse – according to new official statistics published for the first time today.

The Scottish Climate Survey also found that almost three-quarters of those surveyed (72%) feel climate change is an immediate and urgent problem and almost all households have experienced a severe weather event in the past 12 months.

More than 4,000 adults across Scotland shared their views on a range of climate-related issues, including transport, nature, preparing for the impacts of climate change and home energy.

The survey found that a third of households (33%) were finding it difficult to afford their energy bills whilst more than four in ten (42%) said they were having to cut back spending on food and other essentials to spend more on energy bills.

People were also asked about their overall views on climate change and the impact of the transition to net zero. Almost half of adults (46%) reported feeling worried about climate change – with one in ten (11%) saying that their feelings about climate change had a negative effect on them most of the time.

Acting Minister for Climate Action, Alasdair Allan, said: “The findings from this survey highlight that people recognise the benefits that reaching net zero by 2045 will bring.

“However, if we are to persuade people to back climate action wholeheartedly, we must speak not only of the costs and challenges but also demonstrate clear and direct household and community benefits where possible.

“Whilst the powers over energy price setting and regulation are reserved, we continue to prioritise support for the most vulnerable households through access to long-term, sustainable measures with our energy efficiency programmes. We are also calling on the UK Government to introduce targeted energy bill discounts to support those who need it most.

“Scotland is now halfway to net zero and continues to be ahead of the UK as a whole in delivering long term emissions reductions. However in order to reach our target, we need to work together more effectively, at all levels of Government and beyond – and the findings from this survey help demonstrate that Scots not only understand the seriousness of the climate crisis – but want to see action.

“That’s why we will continue to drive climate action that is fair, ambitious and effective at addressing the scale of the emergency which faces us.”

Scottish Climate Survey: main findings – gov.scot

From the science behind sins to the chemistry of Star Wars: Edinburgh Science Festival 2025 continues

Still to come at Edinburgh Science Festival 2025

From the science behind the seven deadly sins to the chemistry of Star Wars, there’s lots still to uncover at Edinburgh Science Festival 2025.

Running until Sunday 20 April, the Festival explores the challenges of living on a planet with finite resources, through the lenses of science fiction and space exploration with the theme Spaceship Earth.

This week’s highlights include:

A Climate of Truth (15 April)
We have all the technology we need to live better than ever before, and yet humanity is still accelerating into a climate emergency. Sustainability expert, Prof Mike Berners-Lee looks at the challenge from new angles, and reveals how the need for radically higher standards of honesty in our politics, media, and business is the single most critical point of leverage for those seeking change. Berners-Lee shows what all of us can do to be part of the evolution that humanity so urgently needs to deal with the polycrisis.

Seven Deadly Sins (15 April)
Gluttony. Greed. Sloth. Pride. Envy. Lust. Anger. Do these sins really represent moral failings, or are they simply important and useful human functions that aid us? Professor of neurology, Guy Leschziner reveals the hidden science and humanity behind our so-called flaws and follies.

Mission Bake: From Bake Off to Blast Off (18 April)
Are you ready to see some “out-of-this-world” treats? Join scientist and Great British Bake Off finalist Josh Smalley as he showcases the wonders of space through the art of baking, with edible meteorites and macaron planets. Plus, space expert Dhara Patel from the National Space Centre will be bringing real meteorites to the show!
Josh Smalley also joins the Festival for The Easter Baking Show, also on 18 April.

Memory Lane: the Perfectly Imperfect Ways We Remember (18 April)
We often think our impressions of the past remain preserved somewhere inside our brains. In fact, we reconstruct our memories every time we try to recall them. But a faulty memory isn’t always a bad thing…Explore the cutting-edge science of human memory, the ethical implications of memory manipulation and the pitfalls of false recollections. Psychologists Ciara Greene and Gillian Murphy reveal the surprising benefits of a flexible memory system and explain why no two trips down memory lane are ever quite the same.

The Chemistry of Star Wars (20 April)
In a galaxy far, far away, there is a Star Wars universe packed with captivating science, from the biology of alien species to the astrophysics of hyperspace. But what about Chemistry? Join Alex Baker, a chemist from the University of Warwick, as he explores the freezing of Han Solo, the colours of lightsabers, the reactions that power star ships and much more.

DiscoveryLab (Running until 19 April)
Visit the Festival’s reimagined flagship family experience at City Art Centre and explore five floors packed with hands-on activities designed for all the family to get involved in. Children aged 5–11 can also book entry to one premium workshop including Splat-tastic, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Wild Vets.

To view the full programme, visit:

https://www.edinburghscience.co.uk/festival/whats-on/

Bathing Waters: Have Your Say

Do you enjoy spending time at the beach or in the water? We want to hear from you!

We’re looking for your thoughts on bathing waters and how you find out about water quality.

We’ve worked with Scotinform to create a short survey, it takes just 5 to 10 minutes to fill out and you’ll also have a chance to win a £50 voucher!

Your feedback is valuable, share your thoughts at:

https://online1.snapsurveys.com/sepa

Tomorrow: Wildflower seeding in Drylaw

DRYLAW GOOD APPLES PROJECT

Wildflower seeding on Saturday 12th April 2 – 4pm at the East Orchard with Drylaw Good Apples.

We will be planting Scottish nectar rich wildflowers and Yellow Rattle, a special flower which deters the growth of thick grass, and opens up the space for other flowers to take root.

Come along to create habitats and food sources for butterflies, bees, ladybirds, and all other insects.

Children especially welcome as Alia will be putting up the hammocks and whittling sticks as a children’s activity. Adults can help with the wildflower preparations.

Hot drinks provided. Free!

Sat 12th April

Time 2-4pm

Location: Easter Drylaw Avenue, down the wee lane between nos 6 and 8

Activity: wildflower seeding

SEPA warns of early water scarcity risk as dry spell continues

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is warning that early signs of water scarcity are emerging across Scotland, with businesses urged to take action now to manage their water use and ensure their operations have climate resilience built in.

The latest Water Situation Update latest Water Situation Update published online covers March, showing the month brought below-average rainfall across most of the country. Some areas in the south saw less than a third of what they’d usually expect. This continues the trend that was highlighted in SEPA’s Winter water situation report 2025.

Parts of Angus and Fife have now seen 10 straight months of below-average rainfall, receiving less than half of what’s normal for March. Only Shetland recorded above-average rainfall.

The impact is already being seen. River flows are running low to extremely low for this time of year, and groundwater levels from SEPA’s monitoring points are dipping further due to a lack of winter recharge.

Groundwater levels are lower than levels recorded in early April 2022, particularly in Fife and Angus. That year later saw a summer drought with restrictions put on abstractions from rivers in some areas. The only area of the country with groundwater levels above normal for the time of year is Moray, reflecting the higher-than-average rainfall in this area over the winter period.

A changing climate: the need for resilience and adaptation

Despite Scotland’s reputation as a wet country, climate trends are shifting. Extended dry periods are becoming more common, increasing the risk of water scarcity. SEPA’s three-year Corporate Plan highlights climate resilience as a strategic priority for the agency, helping businesses and communities adapt to the impacts of climate change and build in resilience to extreme weather events.

Notably, 2024 was the first year in some time that Scotland did not experience any significant water scarcity, thanks to more favourable rainfall patterns. The return of early warnings so early in 2025 highlights the increasing unpredictability of Scotland’s climate and the need for long-term adaptation.

Kenny Boag, SEPA’s Head of Environmental Performance (National), said: “Water scarcity is becoming a growing challenge in Scotland, and the data from March shows there is an increased risk that water scarcity could occur early in the season this year.

“As part of our commitment to helping Scotland become more climate resilient, we’ll continue to monitor the situation closely. Following on from this water situation update, our weekly water scarcity reporting will begin in May, unless the situation deteriorates sooner. This will provide regular updates on conditions to ensure businesses can prepare for any potential challenges ahead.

“We’ll continue to work closely with Scottish Government, businesses and key stakeholders – including the agricultural sector, industry and Scottish Water – over the coming months to monitor water levels, manage resources sustainably, support adaptation measures and ensure the correct balance is struck between protecting the environment and providing resources for human and economic activity.”

It is important to note that while SEPA plays a key role in monitoring the environment and managing abstractions from Scotland’s natural water resources for agriculture and other industrial uses, Scottish Water is responsible for the public water supply.

The latest Water Situation Update is available at sepa.org.uk/water-scarcity where abstractors can also find guidance on water efficiency and adaptation strategies.

Great Granton Beach Clean

TUESDAY 15th APRIL from 1pm

We are very excited about our next BEACH CLEANING event at Granton Goes Greener.

This time, we will be working on the Brick Beach (marked as Granton Beach), which is just across the road from Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden and next to the pitt.

Thanks to our friends from R2, we will have enough rubbish picking equipment for everyone. if you have any questions-email: anna@grantongoesgreener.org.uk