Join in debating Scotland’s environmental futures
There is much interest in and controversary about Scotland’s environmental future but what are the big issues?
What should be their priority compared with other pressing societal concerns? How much knowledge and information exits? Is this accessible to the public? How can the level of informed and objective debate be improved? These are all questions that are being regularly asked. The RSE’s Environment Community of Interest decided to put down views and perspectives about all aspects of the environment. This group of Fellows have diverse disciplinary backgrounds: agricultural science, architecture and urban design, chemistry, ecological sciences, environmental sciences, geography, geology, humanities, social sciences, statistics and zoology.
The long reads aim is to stimulate informed public debate on the many aspects and elements of this complex and vexed subject.
Fellows do not pretend to know the answers, but they know the questions and have a corpus of knowledge that could help to address them.
This is not a definitive series of statements but reflections by individual Fellows. They provide wider contexts including the impacts of climate change in the polar regions on sea levels, the environmental and political scene in Europe and reflect on the meaning and issues of the Anthropocene. They consider green private investment potential, the role of alternative technologies, and the role of regulation. They reflect on the effect of the data revolution. They consider the role of social science in various ways in engaging communities and what the just transition may mean. And they look at why we might refocus the debate onto the rights of nature.
Articles are being published weekly on the RSE’s knowledge hub, or view the collection below.
The Community of Interest look forward to hearing the views of civil society both at organisational and individual levels. Let the debate commence and the discourse be well informed. If you have feedback or thoughts about any of the pieces, email us on publicpolicy@therse.org.uk, particular topics and issues resonates that resonate will be used to build further online dialogue.
Long reads on environmental issues
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Global, UK, and Scottish topography of nature and green investment with the huge investment potential of the private sector for public good.
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Ian Boyd writes about employing manufacturing principles to convert CO₂ into carbohydrates to increase food security in Scotland.
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How do we transition the data discussion away from the problem and focus on how data can support environmental solutions?
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Scotland’s fresh waters provide a varied and valuable resource that has been used in many different ways over time.
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Jörg Feldmann highlights the need to address the unknown consequences of technological innovation on the environment and human health, particularly regarding Polyfluorinated Alkylated Substances (PFAS) and renewable energy technologies. While noting the benefits of innovation, he questions the adequacy of current assessment methods and urges greater use of the Precautionary Principle. Feldmann proposes a two-tier […]
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Diversity of communities: In addressing environmental questions related specifically to Scotland there are a range of communities who see the challenge for the point of view of their own interest group. Do we discuss environmental issues within siloes?
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To make progress for people, place, and biodiversity, Karen Anderson argue the need for improvements in the implementation of policy and practice and changing attitudes in all parties.
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The rise of the environmental humanities challenge the dichotomy between humanity and nature. Tim Ingold advocates for a collaborative, relational approach inspired by environmental humanities and indigenous knowledge to dissolve boundaries between humans, nonhumans, and the environment.
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Joyce Tait writes about the role of engineering biology and industrial biotechnology in driving environmental benefits in the UK.
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Ice loss from glaciers and polar ice sheets is a major driver of global sea-level rise, which has doubled in pace since 2006.
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Roger Crofts urges the Scottish Government to consider this within the forthcoming Natural Environment Bill, highlighting potential pathways.
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Patricia Macdonald highlights concerns about the context for tackling today’s interconnected climate, environmental, and social crises.
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Our climate is changing, and biodiversity is in decline. Scotland has declared nature and climate emergencies, but are these being tackled collectively and urgently?
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Scotland is demanding so many uses from its land that conflicts are inevitable. This piece offers a means of trying to resolve the conflicts.
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Scotland’s marine environment is vast and vital – covering 90% of its territory and shaping its economy, culture, and biodiversity. Discover the key threats facing Scottish seas and why protecting them matters.
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Camilla Toulmin describes the term “just transition” and associated concepts, its origins and how it is being translated into policies and institutions in different parts of the world. She reviews experience to date with Scotland’s Just Transition Commission, before highlighting a number of questions for the RSE Environment Community of Interest to consider as areas […]
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Understanding sea level rise in Scotland means looking beyond global averages to the local forces still shaping our shores today. Scotland’s coastline is changing – but not in the same way or at the same pace everywhere. By Alastair Dawson The coastline of Scotland is characterized by a variety of raised beaches of different ages […]
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A new UN report highlights how climate change is reshaping the lives of whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Experts call for urgent action.
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Resources
Scotland is demanding so many uses from its land that conflicts are inevitable. This piece offers a means of trying to resolve the conflicts.
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Resources
As energy demand rises, Scotland’s rural and island communities face a critical question: who benefits from the energy transition?
