Tag: environment

Rain not enough to reduce pressure on Scotland’s eastern rivers

Recent rainfall has improved river conditions in parts of Scotland, with several catchments moving to lower levels of water scarcity. However, prolonged dry conditions mean rivers across much of eastern Scotland remain under significant pressure, with four catchments continuing to experience Significant Scarcity. 

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPA) latest weekly water scarcity report shows that the Lunan Water, Lower Don, North Fife and Fife East Neuk remain in Significant Scarcity. If river flows remain exceptionally low, Tay Estuary North, the River Teviot and Ettrick Water could also move to this level over the coming week. 

This week’s assessment does show improvements in the south and west of the country. The Lower Tweed, Whiteadder Water and Berwickshire Coastal catchments in the Scottish Borders have recovered enough to come out of Significant Scarcity, though the area does remain in Moderate Scarcity.  

Doon, Irvine and Ayr have improved to Early Warning, while Argyll Coast, Loch Linnhe and Lochy (Inverness-shire) have returned to Normal Conditions. 

However, conditions continue to deteriorate elsewhere. The Spey, Ythan and Dee (Aberdeen) have moved to Moderate Water Scarcity, while the Forth has moved to Alert. 

Although rain is forecast over the coming days it is too early to know whether it will provide enough sustained rainfall to restore river flows in the catchments currently under pressure. 

Shona McConnell, SEPA’s Head of Compliance, said: “Recent rainfall has brought welcome improvements in some parts of Scotland. However, many rivers, particularly across eastern Scotland, continue to experience the impacts of prolonged dry weather, with some recording exceptionally low flows for the time of year. 

“It’s encouraging to see improvements in some catchments, but recovery does not happen overnight. A river’s level may improve enough to move out of significant water scarcity while the wider catchment remains under pressure.  

“Even though we’ve seen some rain, it doesn’t always reach the areas that need it most, and even when it does it may not be enough to restore river flows after a prolonged dry period. How rivers respond depends on the right amount of rain, in the right place, at the right time  

“We assess conditions every day and update water scarcity levels as the evidence changes. You can keep up to date with this changing picture on our website using our Drought Risk Assessment Tool. Our weekly report will continue to provide the national picture,” 

SEPA’s water scarcity assessments reflect conditions across each catchment, taking account of rainfall, river flows and soil moisture. Significant Scarcity is different. It is triggered when river flows remain below the recognised Q95 low-flow threshold for a prolonged period, indicating increased pressure on rivers and the wildlife that depends on them. 

Temporary restrictions on licensed water abstractions remain in place in catchments affected by Significant Water Scarcity and will be lifted as soon as measured river conditions recover. 

SEPA continue to monitor conditions daily using its Drought Risk Assessment Tool, with decisions based on measured environmental conditions rather than rainfall forecasts or fixed dates. 

Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP: Wildfires across Europe show climate emergency can no longer be ignored

Following the recent wildfire in Holyrood Park, Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP has warned that the growing numbers of major wildfires seen across Scotland and Europe highlights the urgent need to recognise the scale of the climate emergency and strengthen efforts to tackle its causes.

Recent weeks have seen devastating wildfires spread across parts of Spain and France, while Scotland has also experienced significant blazes, including within the Cairngorms National Park.

These incidents are evidence of a new and worrying trend of hotter, drier conditions resulting in an increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires.

We are also seeing an increase in fires in habitats that used to be much more resilient to such events.

Wildfires have a long-lasting impact on the affected areas causing lasting damage to natural habitats, threatening wildlife and releases large amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere. They also pose a significant risk to the safety of the communities who live in their vicinity of such fires.

France is currently seeing the largest peacetime evacuation in its history and Bordeaux, a city with a million people living in its urban area, is threatened with destruction.

Commenting, Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP said: “The fire that occurred in Holyrood Park was not an isolated incident. Across Europe we can witness the growing consequences of a changing climate. These events serve as a stark warning that the climate emergency is not a future problem, it is happening right now.

“Climate change is creating the conditions for longer periods of hot, dry weather, making destructive wildfires more common and more severe.

“We must respond with the urgency this crisis demands by accelerating our actions to reduce emissions, protect and restore our natural environment and invest in climate adaptation measures that make our communities more resilient.”

Community Clean-Up Success at Ferry Road Drive

A huge thank you to the amazing young people from PYCP Youth Committee and the local Police Community Officers from Police Scotland Edinburgh for giving up their time to help clean up the basketball court at Ferry Road Drive.

This was our third community clean-up and once again the team worked incredibly hard to make a difference.

Sadly, we found large amounts of waste including beds, furniture, gas cylinders, general rubbish, and far too much dog fouling. While it’s disappointing to see it’s also a reminder of why these clean-ups are so important.

Our goal is to make this court a safe, welcoming space where young people can play, be active and enjoy their community. We also want to encourage local residents to take pride in and care for this valuable community asset.

We’re also in the process of setting up a local tenant working group so that ownership, upkeep and maintenance of the space can be shared across the community so If you’re interested in getting involved in future clean-ups, we’d love to hear from you, please get in touch with us.

Thanks to NuGen Recycling and Environmental Solutions for their amazing removal service and suport with the clean up.

Together, we can make this space better for everyone.

#CommunityCleanUp

#NorthEdinburgh

#PYCP#

YouthVoice

#CommunityPride

#FerryRoadDrive

@PoliceScotland @

@Police Scotland Edinburgh

Local MSP reflects on Holyrood Park wildfire

Following the fire which began in Holyrood Park on Sunday evening, Sanne Dijkstra-Downie has called for recognition of the impact that climate change is already having on our city while highlighting the need for better wildfire awareness.

While wildfires can be an important part of the ecological cycle, the rate and intensity that we are seeing them occur with is a clear indication of climate change and its impact on our day-to-day lives.

Longer, hotter and drier summers are becoming the norm within Scotland and now areas that previously rarely saw such fires are affected more often. Given the number of visitors and the variety of purposes it serves, Holyrood Park is particularly susceptible to fires that are started by human activity.

Holyrood Park is a uniquely important ecological site with a wide range of trees, plants and animals, including several rare and endangered species.  The effects of climate change threaten the destruction of these species within our city, reshaping how the park will look, sound and feel for the future.

Commenting Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP said: – “I am deeply concerned by yet another fire in Holyrood Park and want to thank the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and all emergency responders for their swift and professional efforts to tackle the blaze.

“Holyrood Park is one of Edinburgh’s most striking natural landscapes which provides a vital habitat for wildlife and a valuable green space for residents and visitors alike. Fires of this nature can have a devastating impact on local ecosystems, destroying vegetation, disrupting breeding habitats and leaving long-lasting damage.

“The effects of climate change are not a distant threat and we are already seeing its impact across our city. As climate change contributes to more frequent periods of hot, dry weather we need investment in wildfire prevention. We also need better education about wildfire risks due to human activity such as campfires and discarded cigarettes.

“Above all, we must increase our efforts to reduce emissions, support renewable energy and step up adaptation measures in these ecologically important areas so that they can be safeguarded for future generations.”

New study reveals unseen benefits of furniture reuse in the circular economy

A new study by The James Hutton Institute, Scotland’s leading interdisciplinary research institute for sustainable land, crop and nature management, and DePaul University in Chicago has confirmed unseen benefits to furniture reuse, which go beyond helping the environment.

The study was based on research by Dr Alice Hague, a Hutton social scientist, and colleagues in Scotland, investigating how to increase the re-use of resources in people’s everyday lives, as part of a transition towards creating a more ‘circular’ economy.  

Dr Hague’s team found that, as well as diverting large amounts of bulky waste from landfill, second-hand furniture shops in Scotland create jobs and work experience opportunities, often engaging those who struggle with conventional employment.

The organisations behind these furniture reuse shops additionally provide training in logistics, furniture removal, accountancy and business management, equipping employees with valuable career skills. Meanwhile, income from the sale of reused furniture also goes towards providing other support services.

One employee at a furniture reuse centre said, “We have an awful lot of people who perhaps would have struggled to get into the workforce, but only because of, maybe, anxiety or confidence. Very able people, our best members of staff now.”

Alongside the study led by Hutton, Alice discovered through a conversation with her brother Professor Euan Hague, based at DePaul University in Chicago, that he was also leading a study about furniture reuse, but from a different angle.

Working with colleagues based in Chicago, Euan was looking to find out more about the impact of furniture donated for reuse to the Chicago Furniture bank.

His study was pointing to how reusing furniture has impacts on health and wellbeing, providing stability and a sense of home for people transitioning into permanent housing.

In Chicago, Professor Hague’s team heard about a mother who had been able to provide her children with separate beds thanks to furniture donations. She told researchers: “My kids are happy, they have beds, they each are happy they have their own bed. I’m not in the bed with them. They’re just happy.”

Together, the two studies reinforced the significant social benefits of reusing furniture that are often overlooked in discussions about the circular economy, with its focus on reusing resources and reducing the amount of waste going to landfill.

In addition to diverting waste from landfill, interviewees pointed out the impact of reusing furniture include employment and training opportunities, and how families felt more of a sense of home after receiving used sofas, tables and beds.

The study’s findings show that the circular economy – a concept which aims to keep resources, products and materials in use and out of landfill sites for as long as possible – can offer more than just environmental benefits.

Dr Hague said, “I was expecting barriers to furniture reuse to be about policy and lack of funding – I wasn’t expecting to hear about families from Ukraine being helped with furniture in a moment of crisis.

“There’s way more going on here than kilograms or tons of waste being avoided.”

The study, titled ‘The Social Benefits of Furniture Reuse in the Circular Economy’, can be read in full on the Journal of Circular Economy website.

PICTURES: The James Hutton Institute

Dry weather conditions continue in the east of the country*

Abstractors are being urged to plan ahead as the risk of water scarcity across the east of Scotland remains.  

The latest weekly water scarcity report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows Findhorn has reached Moderate Scarcity with the Dee (Aberdeen) raised to Alert level.  

This takes the number of areas in Moderate Scarcity to two; Findhorn and Tyne (Lothian) and the number of Alert levels to eight; Deveron, Ythan, Don (Aberdeenshire), Dee (Aberdeen), Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth, Almond and Tweed catchments.  

SEPA publishes weekly water scarcity reports throughout the summer to provide abstractors with up-to-date information on conditions across the country. Reporting is designed to provide advance notice of developing conditions to support sustainable water use and help users plan ahead.  

  • Early Warning means conditions are becoming drier. No action is required at this stage, but abstractors are encouraged to prepare and review water use.  
  • Alert means river water levels are falling and SEPA advises voluntary reductions in non-essential water use by abstractors. 
  • Moderate Scarcity means environmental impact is clear. Action from abstractors is expected to protect rivers and the species that rely on them. 

Despite the recent unsettled weather, the eastern coastal areas are experiencing more long-term dry conditions, following on from a dry spring, with wetter conditions experienced in the west. 

As river flows are low to very low across eastern areas for this time of year with ground conditions particularly in the east and northeast becoming very dry, we will be contacting local abstractors regarding the situation giving them as much notice as possible to prepare ahead. 

SEPA continues to monitor conditions closely through its national water scarcity reporting. 

SEPA’s drought risk assessment tool provides up-to-date local information on river flows and potential water scarcity risk to help abstractors monitor conditions and support planning ahead.  

Eilidh Johnston, Senior Leader in Compliance, said: “With warm and dry weather continuing in the east of the country, we are now starting to see the impacts of water scarcity with additional areas moving to Moderate Scarcity and Alert level.  

“Several eastern catchments are experiencing drier than normal conditions and river flows are low to very low for this time of year there. As a result, there remains a risk of water scarcity developing into summer, particularly across the east, if summer rainfall is lower than normal.    

“SEPA’s water scarcity reporting provides abstractors and other water users with advance notice of changing conditions so they can review water use, check equipment is operating effectively and plan ahead if needed.  

“We would encourage abstractors to make use of SEPA’s drought risk assessment tools and guidance to help understand local conditions, increase their resilience to the impacts of prolonged dry conditions and support sustainable water use during dry periods.”  

Further information on water scarcity levels, guidance and weekly reports is available on SEPA’s website.

Scottish Greens: Edinburgh Hyperscale Data centre bid must be put on hold

There must be a pause on all hyperscale data centre proposals in Edinburgh and East Lothian until the Scottish Government can put guidance in place to ensure there is minimal impact on the climate and local communities, say the Scottish Greens. 

There is a wave of proposals currently lodged with councils across Scotland. If every proposal is approved, they would consume up to 6000 megawatts of power.

That equates to 1.5 times more than our entire country uses in a day. 

In Edinburgh and East Lothian, 4 proposals have been put forward to the local authorities to build hyperscale data centres. 

Without a national strategy in place, and no real definition of what a “green” data centre should look like, there is little in the way of guidance for councils to follow when they are assessing the suitability of these plans. 

Scottish Greens MSP Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill said: “A lot of local people are concerned about the impact that this application would have on our local environment and the community in Lothian.

“It’s time for a halt to all hyperscale developments until there is a national strategy and guidance in place for councils to consider them.

“Developments like this can have a catastrophic environmental impact, taking up far too much water and power. It’s no wonder that local people are so concerned about what it would mean.

“The huge expansion we are seeing is bad for people and planet, and is mainly about enriching giant AI companies.

“Communities around the world have experienced energy price rises as a direct result of similar developments.

“We don’t want the same thing to happen in Edinburgh.”

£1 million for ‘Climate Forests’

Trees to transform landscapes in Central Scotland

Plans to plant more trees and increase woodlands across an area home to around half of Scotland’s population has received almost £1 million in new funding.

The Clyde, Fife, Lothians and Forth ‘Climate Forests’ target investment in communities with the fewest trees and greatest climate vulnerability across central Scotland – expanding tree canopy cover by protecting existing woods and planting more.

Established in 2021, Climate Forests are working with local councils, community groups and landowners on projects to plant 35 million trees by 2035.

Backed so far with almost £13 million in Scottish Government funding, around 5 million trees have been planted in this area to capture carbon, protect the environment, increase biodiversity, improve access to nature, and support local communities to become more climate resilient.

Speaking ahead of a parliamentary debate this week on Climate Change, Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “This latest investment builds on and expands the benefits of Climate Forests to help increase canopy cover in urban and rural areas.

“We want to create greener, healthier, more resilient places where people can live well and connect with nature – offering spaces for people to rest, exercise, and improve their physical and mental health.

“Trees and woodlands do so much for us – from absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and providing habitats for wildlife to helping protect communities from flooding and extreme heat. Increasing tree canopy cover across Scotland’s towns, cities and rural communities will deliver all of these benefits for generations to come.

“This programme will help contribute towards our national woodland creation targets and, indeed, is central to Scotland meeting its climate targets.

2It is also about fairness and we are targeting investment in the communities with the fewest trees and the greatest vulnerability to a changing climate, because everyone deserves to live in a place that is greener, healthier, and more resilient.”

Douglas Worrall, Director Forth Climate Forest said: “The Climate Forests are delighted to receive this Scottish Government funding. As well as creating healthy, liveable communities, both urban and rural, trees are essential in helping to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change.

“Over the coming year we will use the Scottish Government funding to deliver projects across Central Scotland with local people. We will be planting trees in areas where the need is greatest, connecting habitats, and providing multiple benefits for people and wildlife.”

Martin Willcocks, Calais Woods Community Group, Dunfermline said: “Duloch Park was just a blank lifeless canvas of grass sitting there for 20 years whilst development was hurriedly increasing all around. Our community group formed to bring life into the park and support the well-loved ancient woodland next to it. 

“The tree planting we have done has been extensive and rewarding, bringing important habitat for nature and biodiversity and creating an attractive and natural setting which will now develop into a prime space where nature and human recreation will coexist in harmony.”

Intertwined: Inspiring climate action through this year’s Edinburgh Climate Festival

 As we take in the fearful effects of the worsening climate crisis and the uncertainty that takes hold of the many challenges we are facing around our planet today, looking ahead to a hopeful future can be a very daunting task.

For this, we find great importance & delight in announcing the return of this year’s Edinburgh Climate Festival, a free festival that aims to celebrate & inspirate climate action in our local communities.

A day that brings together numerous climate related organisations, projects and individuals, all looking to help positively raise awareness & work towards creating a brighter future!

The festival will be taking place at the Edinburgh Meadows, Melville Dr EH9 1ND, on Saturday 27th June 2026, from 12 to 7pm.

During the day, attendees can find a variety of free lively performances, fun workshops, art installations & themed talks, as well as wellbeing activities, facepainting and activities aimed towards younger audiences as we welcome everyone of all ages.

The festival will also be welcoming stallholders that cover topics related to circular economy, mitigation, adaptation, climate education, transport, activism, conservation and more. 

 As a special feature to this year’s edition is our theme: Intertwined. Following last year’s theme of Root & Rise, the question remains: what makes a forest truly strong, resilient, and nourished?​

The answer lies beneath our feet, in mycelium. Mycelium is an underground root-like network of entangled threads of fungi. It creates vast connections between plants and trees serving as a shared resource for nutrients, supporting growth as well as being a magnificent communication highway, sending signals and protecting one another.

The 2026 theme embodies this ethos – supporting connection between ourselves, those around us and nature, expanding from local action to global solidarity.

A reminder that fundamentally, we are all nature.

Facing climate challenges alone can feel overwhelming. But when we recognise how deeply intertwined we are, we also recognise our shared strength.

Through collective action we can exchange ideas, re-energise, and cultivate meaningful change. Whether you’re beginning your sustainability journey or deeply rooted in climate work, you can join the festival to build a hopeful and connected community – forming a vibrant, intertwined network. 

With the aim to become more sustainable as an event itself, this year the festival is also promoting different initiatives in hopes to achieve better waste reduction & improve its practices overall.

A few to highlight, is their additional single use packaging fee that will be implemented by all food vendors as well as a free raffle that aims to encourage attendees to bring their own containers, rewarding their commitment by offering a chance to win one of three prizes (which are valued at 60, 50 and 40 pounds).

Franciele Sobierai, the ECF Event Coordinator said: “The climate crisis can be daunting, leaving us feeling powerless. However, when we intertwine, work together, and support one another, we can accomplish far more.

“This is the message the Edinburgh Climate Festival aims to spread — encouraging community-driven climate action and solidarity to tackle the climate emergency.”

Scott Davidson, Deputy Director for Social Responsibility and Sustainability and Head of Sustainability at the University of Edinburgh, said: “It’s a privilege to be the Climate Champion Partner for this year’s festival.

“As climate projections become more severe, society is increasingly in a race between opportunity and dire outcomes. The University of Edinburgh is committed to playing its part in this race.

“Our sector-leading regenerative sustainability strategy ensures all students have access to meaningful education on climate and nature, and our research drives action in the circular economy, ecological regeneration and in the transition to renewables, to name just a few.

“Supporting the Festival recognises the importance we place on supporting our local community too, and our role in creating a more sustainable future for Edinburgh and beyond.”

The attractions and activities will include various artwork, free workshops, such as yoga, musical performances from Àirdan Band, SNR, Fava Beats, a circular economy fashion show, an energetic Ceilidh & much more! Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, learn, and celebrate our collective efforts towards a sustainable future!

You can find the full programme here

Confirm your presence on the event here, with the option to give a donation here. 

The Edinburgh Climate Festival is brought to you by Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) & Networking Key Services (NKS), through the Communities’ Reduce Reuse & Recycle (C3R) Project.

The festival is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund and is supported by the University of Edinburgh and in partnership with Caledonian Horticulture.

The Nation has Spoken: Peacock is Britain’s Favourite Butterfly!

Peacock voted Britain’s Favourite Butterfly in first-ever poll

THE nation has spoken and crowned the Peacock Britain’s Favourite Butterfly in a landmark poll. Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation has revealed that the colourful Peacock has beaten off fierce competition from a colourful cast of species to take the top spot as Britain’s Favourite Butterfly. 

Topping the first-ever vote to find the nation’s champion, the garden favourite beat 59 other butterflies to claim the highly coveted title, in a vote that saw over 20,000 votes cast across the UK between 15 May – 7 June. 

The top five was a rainbow of colour, with the Orange-tip coming a close second, Red Admiral third, Holly Blue in fourth, and the bright yellow Brimstone coming in fifth. But ultimately, the stunning Peacock, with its eye-catching and instantly recognisable beauty, stole the nation’s hearts. 

Butterfly Conservation’s Head of Engagement, Kate Merry, said: “The response to Britain’s Favourite Butterfly has been absolutely wonderful, and we’re not surprised. It’s clear that people up and down the country love butterflies of all shapes, sizes and colours, and voted in their thousands for their favourites. 

“The Peacock is a worthy winner, it’s a true showstopper and a species that I bet a lot of us picture when we think of butterflies. It’s been really special seeing people get so passionate about their favourites and throw their support behind them!

“Now we can’t wait to see how many Peacocks are spotted up and down the country in this summer’s Big Butterfly Count.”

The result comes at a critical moment for the UK’s butterflies. In 2024 Butterfly Conservation declared a butterfly emergency after numbers recorded during its Big Butterfly Count fell to their lowest ever.

Now the charity is calling on everyone, everywhere to take part in this year’s Big Butterfly Count between Friday 17 July – Sunday 9 August to help conservationists get an updated picture of how Britain’s most common butterflies are faring. 

The winner – a showstopping garden icon

The Peacock, Britain’s official favourite, is an iconic butterfly. This showstopper is instantly recognisable with its striking colours and stand-out eye-spots, a remarkable evolutionary defence mechanism designed to ward off predators many times its own size.

It is a regular visitor to gardens and green spaces across the whole of the UK, particularly where patches of nettles can be found as they are its caterpillars’ favourite foodplant. 

The top five – a rainbow of joy across the country

Completing the top five in the vote to find Britain’s Favourite Butterfly are four species that between them create a kaleidoscope of colours and show why Brits love butterflies so much.

In second place, the Orange-tip is a worthy runner up, with its glowing white wings and vivid tangerine tips in the males, this uplifting species is a sure sign of spring and that warmer summer days aren’t far away. 

Taking third is the Red Admiral whose striking jet-black wings, bold red bands and white spotted tips make it one of the most iconic species in the UK. A long-distance migrant, it travels all the way from North Africa to flutter around UK gardens each year, although it is now commonly sticking around through the winter, a sign of our warming climate.

In fourth, the fairy-like Holly Blue, which counts British icons Dame Joanna Lumley and Geri-Halliwell Horner amongst its fans. Its powder-blue wings are a shimmering delight when spotted in gardens, this species has been steadily spreading northwards in recent decades, bringing its appealing beauty to gardens and hedgerows across more of the country than ever before.

And rounding out the top five, the Brimstone, whose sunshine-yellow wings may have given all butterflies their name – the original butter-coloured fly, whose appearance is often heralded as the first sign of spring.

The Peacock, Red Admiral, Holly Blue and Brimstone, along with 16 other butterflies and day-flying moths, can be recorded as part of this summer’s Big Butterfly Count in July and August. 

Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count is the world’s largest butterfly survey, and this year it carries greater urgency than ever. Conservationists are hoping that a surge in public participation in 2026 will both improve the data picture and help galvanise support for butterfly-friendly habitats across the UK.

Kate Merry said: “Taking part in the Big Butterfly Count couldn’t be easier, simply spend 15 minutes in any outdoor space and count the butterflies and day-flying moths you see and submit your sightings to help build our interactive map. 

“This information will help conservationists to see how some of our more-common species are faring, which in turn helps to build a wider picture of how all butterflies and moths are doing. It’s easy, fun for all the family, and a great excuse to get outside and experience the simple joy of spotting butterflies.”  

This year’s Big Butterfly Count takes place from Friday 17 July – Sunday 9 August. Simply download the free app, spend 15 minutes in any sunny spot and record the number and types of butterflies spotted. 

To find out more visit www.bigbutterflycount.org