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.

Orange-tip-butterfly-Sandra-Graham-smaller-aspect-ratio-540-358

Scotland’s Natural Environment Bill could be nature’s lifeline

05 Oct 2023

By Deborah Long, Chief Officer at Scottish Environment LINK Scotland is renowned across the world for its landscapes, seas and wildlife. Despite that reputation, we are 28th from the bottom of countries in terms of the health of our biodiversity, as measured by the Biodiversity Intactness Index. Scotland’s wildlife is not doing well.  If we […]

440A5104-scaled-aspect-ratio-540-358

The Value of Nature Champions: 10 Years On

12 Sep 2023

As Scottish Environment LINK’s Nature Champions initiative celebrates its tenth year, Nature Champions Coordinator, Andy Marks, highlights its value in galvanising political support for Scotland’s threatened and iconic species and habitats.   It is incredibly heartening to catch Members of the Scottish Parliament discussing which species and habitats they are championing as part of the […]

6-scaled-aspect-ratio-540-358

Our natural world is in trouble: let’s see Scotland’s plan to fix it

04 Sep 2023

By Deborah Long, Chief Officer at Scottish Environment LINK. Originally published by the National.  HOW often do you think about nature? For many, the natural world is somewhere for relaxation or enjoyment – the place we go to disconnect, to get dirt underneath our fingertips, or to feel sun on our backs or cold water […]

Beach-litter-Catherine-Gemmell-scaled-aspect-ratio-540-358

The chance to share your views on Scotland’s Circular Economy Bill

10 Aug 2023

The Scottish Government brought forward its long awaited Circular Economy Bill towards the end of June.  This bill was one of the pieces of legislation thwarted by COVID 19, so is somewhat overdue. The Bill is currently being considered by the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, who are collecting evidence and views until September […]

0710_LochSunart_CalumDuncanMCS-aspect-ratio-540-358

Vision for the future of Scotland’s aquaculture published

08 Aug 2023

Last month (July 2023) the Scottish Government released their Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture, setting out its plans for how the industry should develop all the way to 2045. Aquaculture in Scotland is big business, adding £885 million to the economy in 2018. It is dominated by salmon farming which produced 205,393 tonnes of farmed Atlantic […]

20200709_181302572_iOS-scaled-aspect-ratio-540-358

An enforceable right to a healthy environment: Now is the time for Scotland to deliver

02 Aug 2023

By Benjamin Brown, Policy & Advocacy Officer at Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland From the sewage spilling into Scotland’s rivers and seas, to the toxic chemicals entering our food, our right to a healthy environment is being violated. We face a triple planetary emergency of climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and the pollution of our air, […]

Untitled-design1-aspect-ratio-540-358

Ocean recovery zones are vital to restoring our seas to health

25 Jul 2023

Scotland’s seas are amazing, and they matter to us all. Many people will be spending time on Scotland’s coasts this summer - rain or shine. Even just a day trip to the beach can feel like a little holiday, refreshing and replenishing us. That’s not all, of course. As anyone who watched the ocean episode of David Attenborough’s Wild Isles series will know, our seas are home to the most fantastic array of wildlife, much of which is hidden deep beneath the waves.

Winter-Light-E-Lomond-1-scaled-aspect-ratio-540-358

Just transition: We must act now to save our landscapes and wildlife

13 Jun 2023

By LINK’s Chief Officer Deborah Long – first published in The National, 22nd May.  Scotland is a land of contrast. Contrasts in our landscapes, in our geography and weather patterns, our language, culture and our traditions. Scotland has world-leading access legislation ensuring that everyone, no matter who they are, can access and enjoy Scotland’s outdoors, […]

002-Perthshire-Red-c-Raymond-Leinster-2020-002-1-scaled-aspect-ratio-540-358

Ensuring a future for our iconic red squirrel

18 May 2023

The red squirrel is a true emblem of the Scottish countryside. To catch a glimpse of fiery red fur flickering up a tree and out of sight is a rare treat for most of us. There are only 140,000 red squirrels left in the UK, and more than 75% of these reside in Scotland. Their […]

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close