LINK Thinks

LINK Thinks is a space for members and others to express their views about Scotland’s environment. If you would like to contribute a blog please contact information@scotlink.org. The opinions expressed in this blog are the author's and not necessarily those of the wider LINK membership.

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Species Champions on World Wetlands Day 2020

22 Jan 2020

In celebration of Scotland’s precious wetlands, ahead of World Wetlands Day 2020 a members’ business debate led by John Finnie MSP, took place in the Scottish Parliament on the 15th January to discuss the importance of Scotland’s wetlands as sites of important biodiversity.

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Setting up a new Environmental Rights Centre in Scotland

16 Jan 2020

Many people in Scotland suffer from a polluted environment, particularly those in poorer communities, and, across Scotland, environmental crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, toxic air and plastic pollution are becoming ever more pressing. There is a growing and increasingly complex body of environmental law in Scots law – some of it world-leading – and […]

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It is time to look more closely at land use

06 Jan 2020

We need to take a closer look at the way we use land. Why? Because land use has very real consequences for us all and, at present, our land is managed in a way that does not necessarily deliver all the benefits it could. This is an increasingly pressing issue. The Scottish Government has acknowledged […]

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Funding the Nature and Climate Emergency: reversing a decade of austerity for the environment

08 Dec 2019

Seven months ago, Scotland’s First Minister announced a climate emergency and the need for ‘transformative change’ if we are to limit global temperature rise to 1.5oC and halt the loss of nature. This announcement came in the wake of two in-depth scientific reports from the United Nations highlighting the worsening twin global climate and nature […]

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Nature’s allies at Holyrood

28 Nov 2019

The huge and vital challenge of tackling the joint nature and climate emergencies means our natural world needs allies like never before. Today, we’re celebrating the commitment made by Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to Stand Up for Nature. Fifty-one MSPs from across the political parties, many of whom are also species champions, have signed the pledge launched by Scottish Environment LINK to work for the protection, recovery and enhancement of Scotland’s natural environment.

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Why do we need a watchdog?

14 Nov 2019

European Union protections have played a significant role in protecting our natural environment and stemming the tide of environmental decline in Scotland. There is a risk that many of these protections will be lost if the UK leaves the EU. Regardless of the Brexit scenario, the joint nature and climate crises mean that the Scottish Government needs to strengthen environmental laws, to enforce environmental protection and reverse the declines of habitats and species.

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“Do you hear a siren? That’s the warning signal of a full-blown emergency in nature” says LINK Chief Officer Dr Deborah Long

05 Nov 2019

Scotland is arguably the most nature rich part of the UK. With over 60% of the coastline and marine habitat, all the UKK’s arctic – alpine habitats, all the machair, Caledonian pinewood and most of the temperate rainforest, Scotland is nature rich. But the prospects are not good. The State of Nature report, launched on […]

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Campaigners welcome Scottish Government’s ‘No Deal’ environment safeguards

30 Oct 2019

Leading environmental charities have welcomed a plan announced by Scotland’s Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham to set up an interim advisory panel to safeguard Scotland’s environmental standards in the event of a No Deal Brexit. Although the EU has this week granted an extension to Article 50, avoiding a No Deal exit on 31 October, this does not take No Deal entirely off the table.

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We run a marine tourism business and we support the Fight for Scotland’s Nature

15 Oct 2019

We have seen a huge improvement in the wildlife and diversity in the region, including a very significant increase in abundance of species such as jewel anemones which require clear water, more fish and a 286 per cent increase in porpoise. EU legislation has led to greater protection of Scotland's wildlife and it is vital that this continues post-Brexit.

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