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Sceptical Scot

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Environment

Learning from Scotland: what a Labour government would mean for the right to roam

September 7, 2023 by Ben Mayfield Leave a Comment

A path winds uphill, views across Loch Leven: photo Fay Young

Scottish rights of access are based on a small number of exceptions which tell people where they cannot go, such as private gardens or crop fields, rather than the English and Welsh model which allows access on specified types of land only. This simplifies access rights and removes the need for complex signage and maps full of dead ends and no-go areas.

Europe must unite to stop deep-sea resource grab

September 6, 2023 by Guy Standing Leave a Comment

“There is no legal or moral ground for allowing a few multinational corporations to profit from the vast array of minerals under the sea. European countries must give this issue much higher priority.”

Climate change at the Edinburgh festivals

August 21, 2023 by Jackie Kemp 1 Comment

Two young children stare at the camera, surrounded by Climate Angels in white. by Takver at mass demonstration in Melbourne CC BY-SA 2.0

“Governments working together to regulate the production of greenhouse gases is our planet’s best, perhaps only, only hope. To get there, we need these issues to be in the spotlight. More power to your elbow, Greta.”

Ukraine’s recovery will ‘take a village’ of international actors

July 28, 2023 by Sascha Ostanina Leave a Comment

“Ukraine is now making unimaginable human and economic sacrifices in its commitment to Europe. Helping the country fully to recover and become an EU member state will serve as a geo-strategic investment in the sustainable security and economic performance of the continent.”

A splash of sunshine

July 28, 2023 by Fay Young 4 Comments

“Perhaps it would be nice to be a degree or two warmer than today’s 16C. But every day brings news of the burning reality of climate change in blistering heatwaves reaching 50C in many places across the world.”

Bracken: a Highland wedge issue

July 3, 2023 by Jackie Kemp Leave a Comment

“The bracken is part of an ecosystem. There are shrews and voles and moles in there as well as millions of spiders at every level of the bracken. There is funghi under the canopy. The rhizome root system is linked to the trees and the other plants. The ground is not compacted under bracken as it can be in bare fields. The organic matter that falls on it enriches the soil and the top soil is thin here so that matters. We believe in working with the ecosystem – not trying to poison it.”

Time up for Scotland’s hereditary landowners?

June 22, 2023 by Jackie Kemp Leave a Comment

Harvest scene, straw bales: Brexit and land values photograph by Deb Roberts

“There are some areas where communities have been helped to buy the land they live on. But Scotland still has the most inequitable land ownership in the developed world. This month, the Scottish Government issued a consultation paper suggesting that a public interest principle should be applied when large estates change hands…”

Glasgow’s LEZ kills off Sylvia

June 3, 2023 by Jackie Kemp 2 Comments

Glasgow, with low car ownership, has inaugurated its low emission zone so how have drivers and pedestrians for that matter reacted? Surprisingly positively finds Jackie Kemp.

Rewilding the Highlands: Glen Affric and Dundreggan point the way

May 13, 2023 by Kirsty Hughes Leave a Comment

Kirsty Hughes illustrates in text and images the challenges and hopes associated with rewilding the Highlands: “The rewilding journey is a long and vital one. With places like Dundreggan and Glen Affric showing the way, it can – and must – be a successful one.”

Scotland does not need nuclear energy

March 27, 2023 by Jackie Kemp Leave a Comment

Contrary to what you might have heard…, nuclear power is an outdated technology. Scotland can build a strong, resilient energy supply based on renewable energy.

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What’s new on Sceptical Scot

  • What’s in the new Programme for Government? Look in the long grass September 8, 2023
  • Learning from Scotland: what a Labour government would mean for the right to roam September 7, 2023
  • Europe must unite to stop deep-sea resource grab September 6, 2023
  • Energy market reforms must embrace a social tariff August 30, 2023
  • Climate change at the Edinburgh festivals August 21, 2023
  • GERS 2023: uptick in oil revenues narrows the budget deficit August 16, 2023
  • Zombie Scotland must wake up to its future August 14, 2023
  • Let’s make interest rates zero – permanently August 10, 2023
  • Treasury gives Holyrood more fiscal leeway August 3, 2023
  • Ukraine’s recovery will ‘take a village’ of international actors July 28, 2023

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