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GSA fire: lessons from the exclusion zone

September 7, 2018 by Billy Hare Leave a Comment

GSA fire: lessons from the exclusion zone

The second Glasgow School of Art fire has become a case study in how not to help neighbouring residents after a disaster. Everyone from the owners of the damaged building to the local authorities need to learn the lessons to make sure we don’t see the likes of this again.

Vertical farming: why Earth needs help to feed the world

August 31, 2018 by Colin Campbell Leave a Comment

Home-grown innovation: Scotland’s first vertical farm is applying for Tay City Deal funding to turn an exciting local project into a global resource to feed – and change – the world in new ways.

Spuds you should like

August 23, 2018 by Hazel Flight Leave a Comment

But with rises in obesity, we become obsessed with following the latest diet craze – where usually at least one of the main nutrient groups are significantly decreased or eliminated. As part of this, potatoes have become taboo.

Battling pests and diseases: Scotland’s new plant health centre

August 21, 2018 by Ian Toth Leave a Comment

Battling pests and diseases: Scotland’s new plant health centre

Human survival depends on plants. Professor Ian Toth, director of the new Plant Health Centre of Expertise, explains how science is playing an essential role in the battle to protect plants from pests and diseases.

Scotland be bold on climate change

August 16, 2018 by Sceptical Scot Editors Leave a Comment

Scotland be bold on climate change

Gaps between rhetoric and delivery reveal urgent need for joined up thinking in Scotland’s plans for tackling climate change: ‘Scotland must cut emissions to zero by 2050. Increase the 2030 target to 77% and, crucially, commit to actions on integrated policies to make that happen.’

Power of Food nourishes Edinburgh’s grassroots

June 7, 2018 by Fay Young Leave a Comment

Power of Food nourishes Edinburgh’s grassroots

Edinburgh’s grassroots community activism could be the best hope for the city. Preparing for the Power of Food Festival, Fay Young finds hope for the future in the revival of an ancient walled garden in the brownfield landscape on the shores of the Forth.

False goals and impossible expectations

May 15, 2018 by Ewan Morrison 2 Comments

False goals and impossible expectations

In Part 3 of his essay the author urges an end to utopian thinking: ‘Should we condone people like my father who yearn for Utopia and who believe we should give planned perfection one more try? No, these people are endlessly sailing their boats towards a non-existent goal and are making themselves and the rest of us unhappy.’

Why we would be happier without Utopia

May 9, 2018 by Ewan Morrison 2 Comments

Why we would be happier without Utopia

‘Two years after the 500th anniversary of Thomas More’s book, I see a resurgence in Utopian thinking in many countries and fear we could be on verge of taking a collective voyage to nowhere once again.’ Part One (of three) of an essay on utopia, millennialism, freedom, society, human nature – and Scotland.

That £25bn bill for decommissioning offshore platforms?

April 15, 2018 by Tom Baxter Leave a Comment

It is time that decommissioning policy be hastily re-examined in the UK. The government needs to commission a full evidence-based report into the environmental, social and economic benefits, comparing them to other options such as building more green energy stations and even spending the money on things like health or education.

The future of hutting in Scotland

April 7, 2018 by Donald McPhillimy Leave a Comment

The future of hutting in Scotland

The smell of onions frying is in the air. In the evening there is a light in every window. There are people living in the glen again. Donald McPhillimy sees the future and it is a hut built of wood.

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