Tag: environment

 Leading environmental scientist celebrated at University of West of Scotland graduation

An environmental scientists and former broadcaster has been recognised as part of University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) graduations.

Dr Hermione Cockburn, who was awarded an OBE in 2020 for services to public engagement in science, was celebrated as part of a ceremony taking place at Paisley Abbey last week (Wednesday 3 July).

Dr Cockburn began her career at the University of Edinburgh researching landscape change in Africa and Antarctica. She then completed a post doctorate at the University of Melbourne.

For the past 20 years, she has worked exclusively in science communication and presented television series like Coast, Rough Science, Fossil Detectives: Discovering Prehistoric Britain and The Nature of Britain for the BBC.

She has also presented Radio 4 documentaries on subjects ranging from lead pollution to lasers, as well as an award-winning series on bacteria.

Dr Cockburn taught environmental science for the Open University for many years and is passionate about life-long learning. Her most recent role as the Scientific Director at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh saw her lead the charity’s mission that focuses on empowering people with understanding and empathy for the planet.

Recently, she led a major ocean literacy project about Scotland’s deep sea, collaborating closely with marine scientists from across the UK. She is a Trustee of the Association of Science and Discovery Centres, a fellow of The Royal Society of Edinburgh, and an honorary fellow of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

Professor Andrew Hursthouse delivered Dr Cockburn’s laureation speech, which touched on her inspirational career to date.

Discussing her Honorary Doctorate from UWS, Dr Cockburn said, “It’s an honour to receive this Honorary Doctorate.

“As someone who is passionate about science education and life-long learning, it’s been inspiring to be a part of the ceremony today and see so many graduates take the next step in that journey.”

Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, said: “Graduation is the pinnacle of the University calendar. It gives us the opportunity to both reflect on the amazing achievements of our students and to celebrate this most important of milestones with their friends and families, as well as the whole UWS community who have supported them throughout their time at university.

“We are delighted to present Dr Hermione Cockburn with this Honorary Doctorate. We know she will be a role model not only to students studying scientific disciplines but also those who are keen to work in science engagement. Her commitment to encouraging life-long learning and environmental awareness is aligned to our own values here at the University.”

Have your say on NHS Lothian’s Biodiversity Action Plan

If you would like to have your say or read about NHS Lothian’s Biodiversity Action Plan this is your chance!

Read about our plans for making our hospitals & facilities more welcoming for wildlife & people alike & complete the survey at the bottom:

https://ow.ly/3Rab50RSss0

Biodiversity-Action-Plan-Consultation-SummaryDownload

SCVO receive funding for key third sector climate project

Growing Climate Confidence has been supported by the Scottish Funders’ Forum 

A leading third sector climate project offering vital support to charities and voluntary organisations looking to tackle the climate crisis will be funded for another two years, it has been announced.  

This initiative is delivered by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) on behalf of the Third Sector Net Zero steering group, with advisory input from Scottish Funders and Net Zero experts.   

The £200,000 awarded will cover strategic support, raising awareness of the campaign, and training provided by others in the sector.  Funding has been provided by the Corra Foundation, the National Lottery Community Fund, the Robertson Trust, SSE and the William Grant Foundation.

This new funding – over two years from June 1, 2024 – will provide fully funded carbon reduction and climate resilience training, self-serve digital tools to help organisations develop a net zero action plan, and strategic support to influence the funding landscape for climate work. 

Beth Mukushi, SCVO head of support services, said: “The Growing Climate Confidence project helps third sector organisations understand and own their responsibilities to take action on climate change.  

“We know that the majority of organisations care deeply about the climate emergency, but only 42% of organisations have policies in place to reduce their own carbon emissions.  

“Our net zero scorecard has given over 400 organisations a tailored action plan, and this funding will help us reach more organisations, offer wrap-around training and support, and link organisations into existing networks of climate action across the country.” 

Kate Still, chair of The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be able to support SCVO in expanding its Growing Climate Confidence Initiative, thanks to funding raised by National Lottery players. 

“Through our funding we aim to help communities become more environmentally sustainable and to make the changes that help support a healthy planet. 

“SCVO has great experience and expertise in supporting Third Sector organisations to take action on the climate emergency,  and the expansion of this initiative will build the momentum and equip many more Third Sector organisations with tools to assist them on their net zero journey.” 

An SSE spokesperson said: “The climate emergency is one of society’s most pressing challenges. We know from our community grant making that many third sector organisations want to do their part in tackling it but don’t know where to start.  

“The Growing Climate Confidence website and support programme helps them get clarity on what to focus on, and how. SSE is therefore proud to support the roll out and further development of this important work with partners.” 

Nick Addington, chief executive of the William Grant Foundation, said: “We believe that all charities and social enterprises have a role to play in helping achieve a fair transition to a sustainable and climate-adapted future – whatever their mission – so we’re really pleased to be able to partner with other Scottish funders to enable SCVO to enhance its support to Scotland’s third sector around climate action.” 

First Minister to meet new Prime Minister in Scotland today

First Minister John Swinney will welcome new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to Scotland today.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, the First Minister said: “I was really pleased to have the opportunity to speak to the Prime Minister on his first day in office and to congratulate him and wish him, and his family well.

“I look forward to welcoming the Prime Minister to Scotland where I hope to have constructive discussions with him on our shared priorities for the people of Scotland. This includes eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, prioritising net zero, and ensuring effective public services. 

“I welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to forge a positive relationship between our governments and for our part, the Scottish Government is committed to working constructively with the UK Government to build a better Scotland.”

WHATEVER your political allegiances. the relationship between the two governments is crucial to the people of Scotland. I’d like to think it will be more constructive than it has been in the recent past – Ed.

Campaigners challenge abrdn’s Fossil Fuel Investments

Eco-Gamers challenge abrdn’s fossil fuel investments with Retro Arcade Game

A group of eco-gamers, Serious People, have created a video game, “Asset Manager Quest,” to help investment firm abrdn move away from its fossil fuel investments.

The group engaged staff outside their offices in Edinburgh with a portable arcade machine, challenging them to take on the role of CEO and save the company from disaster.

Serious People’s video game exposes abrdn’s $3.6 billion investment in fossil fuels. In “Asset Manager Quest”, players take on the role of abrdn’s CEO and decide whether to take the company further down its current disastrous path or towards a more prosperous future with a fossil fuel exclusion policy.

Asset Manager Quest has been created in response to the urgency of the climate crisis and the critical role investors play in either worsening or alleviating this global issue.

Asset Manager Quest’s gameplay consists of making decisions to try and fix plummeting staff morale. Besides exiting fossil fuel investments, most of these make things worse.

You can give yourself a massive bonus, accuse the media of bullying, or make staff pay for their own tea bags. Many of these choices take inspiration from recent disasters at abrdn, but there are also more satirical scenarios.

Players can leave investment banking to become a pastry chef at Edinburgh’s famous Lannan Bakery (which you can rebrand as Lnnn Bakery) or join a secret world order, “The League of Asset Managers”.

For its launch, Serious People went to abrdn’s headquarters in Edinburgh to engage abrdn’s staff with a portable arcade machine. The rest of the company’s staff had the game delivered to their inbox, while the general public encountered it through billboards in Edinburgh and ads on LinkedIn (featuring a retro remix of the viral TikTok song “Man in Finance”).

Jamie Inman, Founder, Serious People, commented: “We all want to breathe clean air and live in a thriving natural world. But abrdn is stuck in the past, pumping billions into fossil fuel companies while the planet heats up.

“Abrdn are toying with our future, so we thought we would play with theirs. Having tried every turnaround plan except this one, it’s time for abrdn’s Chairman and board to take a bold leap into the future and walk away from fossil fuel bonds.”

Oli Frost, Lead Game Designer, Serious People commented: “Asset Manager Quest is an immersive text-based game with hundreds of possible paths.

“You can join secret covens, fight undead horses, and enter celestial realms, but the most important thing you can do is stop investing in companies that continue to expand fossil fuels. The game’s graphical capabilities may be somewhat dated, but no more so than abrdn’s disastrous investment strategy.”

Alice Delemare Tangpuori, Coordinator of the Toxic Bonds Network, commented: “Every investment abrdn makes in toxic bonds helps fund a new oil pipeline or coal-fired power station. abrdn’s refusal to stop investments in coal, oil and gas amidst mounting public pressure and financial woes is a testament to its shortsightedness.

“If abrdn persists in financing fossil expansion, they’re steering the company straight into disaster.

The time for excuses and half-hearted gestures is over.

“Abrdn must stop all investments in fossil fuel expansionists to safeguard both its business and the planet.”

Abrdn is currently the fourth most exposed asset manager to toxic bonds and has over $3.6 billion invested in fossil fuel bonds issued by major companies such as Exxon, BP, Shell, and Total.

The asset management company also holds investments in bonds and shares issued by Ithaca Energy, co-developer of the controversial Rosebank oilfield in the North Sea. Despite telling campaigners in 2023 that it was reviewing its interests, abrdn remains one of the few European investors without a coal exclusion policy.

Since its rebrand in 2021, abrdn has faced significant challenges, including a drop from the FTSE 100 index, a major fall in share price, over 10% staff layoffs, and the loss of major shareholders like Harris Associates. The company’s previous CEO, Stephen Bird, abruptly left the firm in May, adding to the uncertainty surrounding abrdn’s future.

The public can join in and play the game by following this link: 

www.assetmanager.quest

Enjoying Edinburgh’s green spaces this summer

Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker writes about enjoying Edinburgh’s green spaces this summer:

With the warm weather upon us (for now at least!), offering a glimpse of the summer ahead, I feel incredibly fortunate to live in a city like Edinburgh – not least given how much green space we have to enjoy.

With 144 parks and green spaces across the city – making up an incredible 49 per cent of Edinburgh’s total area – it’s easy to see why we’re considered the UK’s greenest city.

Of course, we already knew the positive impact our parks on people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing by providing space for exercise, relaxation, social contact with friends and family, and opportunities for children and young people to play – but the Covid pandemic truly highlighted this.

With 38 of our parks recognised by the Green Flag Award scheme, which highlights the quality of our parks and the efforts of those who maintain them (more than the rest of Scotland put together), it’s a case of quantity and quality. And with more trees per resident than any other UK city (712,000 trees vs. 526,000 people), we’re well on our way to becoming a Million Tree City by 2030.

But there’s always more we can do and, through our Edinburgh’s Thriving Green spaces 2050 strategy, we’re committed to safeguarding, preserving, and improving these areas so that people can continue to enjoy them, and communities feel involved in their upkeep. And through our ongoing partnership with Fields in Trust, we’re working hard to ensure our residents are within a ten-minute walk from a protected green space.

However, while people rightly recognise the value of local parks that are convenient to them, they can become places to be avoided or underused if they feel unsafe or if the facilities are of poor quality.

That’s why, when setting the annual council budget in February, we approved an additional £3.5m investment in our infrastructure and facilities.

This includes close to £1.5m on projects to repair and improve paths, walls and bridges across the city, £800,000 committed to permanent toilets in Leith Links, Meadows, and Inverleith park (with further investment in installing temporary facilities across the city until the end of October), ongoing in play parks, with over £200,000 set aside for the new play area and equipment at West Princes Street Gardens, and a further £200,000 allocated to the introduction of a number of park lighting projects.

Hopefully, this highlights our ongoing commitment to preserving and improving our city’s for now and future generations.

If you’re out and about and enjoying these spaces, can I please ask that you to:

  • Bin your litter: If a bin is full, please take your litter home.
  • Don’t get caught short: Check where public toilets are located.
  • Pick up after your dog: We love seeing furry friends enjoying our parks, but remember, the city is a shared space.
  • Extinguish and bin your BBQ: When enjoying a BBQ, please do not put it directly on the grass, and always fully extinguish BBQs before disposing of them (some parks have BBQ-only bins).
  • Respect our parks and other users: Our parks are for everyone, young and old.

Please help us to ensure our parks and green spaces thrive and remain clean and welcoming for all this summer.

Electrical waste piled outside Scottish Parliament ahead of vote on new environmental law

CAMPAIGNERS piled electrical waste outside the Scottish Parliament ahead of today’s final debate on a new Circular Economy law. They say MSPs need to do more to improve the way electrical waste is managed and are calling for changes in the final version of the law.

The circular economy bill is being debated and voted on in the Scottish Parliament this week (Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 June). This is the last chance for MSPs to improve the bill.

The new law should bring in policies to create a circular economy in Scotland where materials are used sustainably and fairly. However, it’s been criticised for its lack of ambition and focus on disposal rather than reduction and reuse of products, which can lead to greater social and environmental benefits.

Friends of the Earth Scotland are campaigning for the circular economy bill to include a plan for the materials required in the transition away from fossil fuels, many of which are used in consumer electronics too.

Every mobile phone and laptop is powered by precious materials such as lithium, cobalt and copper. Inadequate waste management systems means that these materials are often thrown away rather than being reused or recycled. Less than 1% of lithium is recycled, despite it being required for electric vehicles.

Many of these materials come from mines in the Global South, including Chile, the Philippines and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which exploit local communities, create pollution and increase carbon emissions.

The steel used in Scottish wind turbines is likely to include significant amounts of iron ore from Brazil, where there have been two major tailing dam disasters in the last decade. A 2019 disaster in Minas Gerais killed at least 244 people.

Scotland does not have a plan for how to manage these transition minerals. The Scottish Government’s draft Energy Strategy includes plans for electrifying vehicles but fails to consider where the lithium needed to do this will come from.

Kim Pratt, Circular Economy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “The scale of electronic waste in this country is shocking. All of the waste that we’ve gathered today came from simply asking around – most of us have something sitting in a cupboard because we don’t know what to do with it.

“Electrical waste contains precious material which is lost when these items are thrown away. Scotland can’t afford to keep treating electrical products, and the precious materials they contain, as disposable.

“Reducing our consumption of the materials used to create these products, by increasing reuse and repair, is essential to reduce the harm being done to people and the environment. The new circular economy law also needs to include a plan for these minerals, which are required for our transition away from fossil fuels. If the law does this, it has the potential to have a big impact in creating a fairer and more sustainable future.”

Key facts about e-waste:

– In the UK, the average person generates 24kg of e-waste every year, that’s the second highest in the world, behind only Norway. The UK is on course to overtake Norway and become the world’s largest contributor to e-waste this year (2024). The global average is 7.3kg.
– Globally, e-waste has increased 21% in 5 years to over 50 million tonnes. The total value of the raw material dumped annually is estimated to be £46 billion. By 2030, it’s predicted the world will throw away nearly 75 million tonnes of e-waste.
– Only 17% of e-waste is recycled.
– There are, on average, 2 mobile phones for every person on the planet. Only 9% are recycled.
– A typical iPhone is estimated to house around 0.034g of gold, 0.34g of silver, and 0.015g of palladium. It also contains the less valuable but still significant aluminium (25g) and copper (around 15g).
– One tonne of iPhones would deliver 300 times more gold than a tonne of gold ore and 6.5 times more silver than a tonne of silver ore.

Nearly £50 billion invested in Scottish Government priorities

Funding to support the NHS, reduce carbon emissions and help tackle poverty

Almost £50 billion was spent by the Scottish Government last year on public services to help tackle child poverty, reduce carbon emissions, support the NHS and secure pay deals, according to newly published official figures.

The Provisional Outturn, which compares actual spending with the funding commitments set out in the Budget, shows that the Scottish Government spent £49.3 billion in the 2023-24 financial year. There was £292 million remaining – representing 0.6% of the Scottish Government’s total budget – all of which has been carried over through the Scotland Reserve to be directed towards priority areas in 2024-25.

In 2023-24 the Scottish Government:

  • spent nearly £5.2 billion on social security benefits. This includes £429 million on Scottish Child Payment, alongside funding to introduce Carer Support Payment in pilot areas, ahead of full roll-out in 2024, and to widen eligibility for Best Start Foods
  • invested more than £19 billion in health and social care, supporting recovery and reform to secure sustainable public services, while delivering a pay uplift for NHS staff
  • provided nearly £220 million to the Heat in Buildings Programme to help deliver greener and more energy efficient homes
  • continued providing Just Transition Fund grant funding, including £16.8 million for projects in the North-east and Moray regions, in addition to £3 million to help vulnerable global communities address loss and damage brought on by climate change
  • invested almost £422 million on bus services and concessionary fares, providing up to 2.3 million people in Scotland with access to free bus travel.

Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee said: “These figures show once again how this government is prudently and competently managing the public finances while delivering funding for the things that matter to people across Scotland, not least the NHS and action to tackle child poverty.

“The Scottish Government has consistently balanced its budgets each and every year. This represented a significant challenge last year, as the continued impact of persistently high inflation, pressure on public sector pay, backlogs as a result of the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine combined to place pressure on the public finances.

“We are not allowed to overspend, so must leave ourselves with the headroom to manage any unexpected shocks or issues. The remaining funding has been allocated in full in 2024-25, allowing us to implement measures at the most optimal time rather than being constrained to a single financial year.” 

Dalry Primary pupils celebrate arrival of safer streets

A new ‘school zone’ has launched at Dalry Primary School with a day of festivities to celebrate safer streets and improved air quality.

Pupils are now set to benefit from wider, people-friendly footpaths and reduced motor traffic at key drop-off and pick-up times along Springwell Place and Cathcart Place, either side of the school.

The scheme has been delivered thanks to a grant from Sustrans’ Temporary School Streets Fund.

Dalry Primary School has worked with the Council and Sustrans to collaboratively design the project, including new artwork by local artist Shona Hardie, featuring designs inspired by ideas created with pupils at workshops last year.

These are complemented by planters and seating to help deliver a more relaxed environment for pupils and local people.

Activities to celebrate the launch of the project started with a ‘walking bus’ from Tynecastle High School to help children and parents walk to school safely. They were joined by performers from Leith-based Think Circus, who captivated pupils with a number of interactive workshops throughout the day.

After school activities also included a ‘Dr Bike’ session, allowing children and parents to have their bikes checked and repaired for free, while The Bike Station’s ‘Wee Bike Library’ presented bikes of different sizes for kids to try out. Parents were also able to sign up for a free bike from the library.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I firmly believe that no parent should have to worry about their child walking or cycling to school, and I’m delighted that this new initiative will help to create a safer environment during the busy pick-up and drop-off times in the school day.

“These improvements at Dalry Primary are also designed to benefit the whole community. We’ve worked with a fantastic artist to create colourful street art and a more relaxed environment for everyone to spend time along Cathcart Place, Springwell Place and Dalry Road, and we hope local residents and visitors enjoy the fun designs and opportunities to rest as much as pupils.

“We look forward to seeing the results of the changes and helping parents to more easily walk and cycle with their children every day. These results will also help us as we continue to explore ideas to help people to travel more safely around the wider local area.”

Karen McGregor, Scotland Director, Sustrans said: “We are excited to launch the school zone at Dalry Primary in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council. In Scotland and across the UK, we have been working with stakeholders to transform the surrounding streets near schools. The result is a safer, happier and more pleasant environment for pupils, parents and the wider community.

“Nearly 50 percent of pupils in Scotland either walk, wheel or cycle to school, according to our latest Hands Up Scotland Survey results. Innovative projects like the Dalry Primary school zone will help to empower more pupils and families to leave the car at home and enjoy an active commute.”

Elaine Honeyman, Headteacher at Dalry Primary School, said: “It’s fantastic to see this scheme underway after lots of discussions with parents, residents and of course, our pupils.

“The safety measures are already proving popular with the children as they arrive at school. Pupils have told me that they are enjoying all the improvements to our school area, particularly the colourful street art and the playful aspect that this adds to the surrounding streets.”

Among the enthusiastic pupils are two P6 Junior Road Safety Officers.

Umaima Rakha Parveen said: “I think the street art is an interesting way to distract the young people and will help them to stay away from the roadside and stay safe.”

Attri Roy said: “The parents and children can use the seats to rest on when they arrive at school and many children will love to play on the seats.”

The school zone outside Dalry Primary School reduces motor traffic on Cathcart Place and Springwell Place (where the school has its entrances) on school days between 8:15 and 9:15am, Mondays to Thursdays between 2:30 and 3:45pm and Fridays between 11:30 and 1pm.

Local access continues for residents of Cathcart Place and Springwell Place, emergency services and blue badge holders during these times.

Such projects offer a number of benefits for everyone, including increasing walking, cycling and active lifestyles for pupils, parents and carers, while also reducing the speed of traffic, congestion and pollution around school gates.