Egret feathers in a hat (photo credit: RSPB, rspb-images.com)
Over 120 years ago, our organisation came into existence when sixteen feisty Victorian ladies campaigned against the killing of exotic birds to trim fashionable hats. Their dedication and hard campaigning eventually resulted in the passing of the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Bill in Parliament, and we haven’t stopped since as the charity went on to tackle oil pollution, the banning of poisons and certain traps, and the impact of agri-chemicals like DDT.
Now as in days gone by, elections are a chance for voters and organisations to voice the issues that are important to them and for political parties, and candidates to respond to this reasoned advocacy if elected. RSPB Scotland is no exception in having a wish-list for what we’d like to see to make Scotland’s nature and society a better place for all.
Nature is in trouble. Over the last 50 years, some 60% of species have declined, some very rapidly as was evidenced in the State of Nature report. In the follow-up report, Response for Nature, ten asks were outlined to reverse this decline and improve understanding and support action for nature. Principal among these was to fully implement existing legislation and there is no better example than Scotland’s world-leading Climate Change Act, which requires us to reduce our greenhouse gases emissions by 42% by the year 2020. Scotland’s political parties need to reiterate their commitment to these ambitious targets and nature can really help if we as a Country invest in restoring peat bogs, planting trees (in the right places) and improving how farming can work in harmony with nature.
Another ask is to ensure that the right incentives are in place to benefit nature and people. Along with the Scottish Food Coalition, we are supporting the proposal for a Food, Farming and Health bill which would improve Scotland’s food system by focusing on environmental sustainability on land and at sea, address social inequalities, improve public health, support those who want to grow organically, or undertake work for wildlife on their farms and crofts, and ensure everyone has access to affordable and nutritious food. In relation to the conservation work we already do, we want to see support for farmers, crofters and fishing communities that encourages the use of nature-friendly techniques, improved research support, and spread a better understanding of the existing knowledge to safeguard both our biodiversity and health.
Every child is entitled to outdoor learning through the Curriculum for Excellence (photo credit: Andy Hay, rspb-images.com)
Most importantly, we look to the future and those who will live it. These Scottish elections are a milestone in marking the first time when 16 and 17 year olds can vote. Today’s young people will be the next stewards of the natural environment but existing legislation is failing them. Outdoor learning is now an entitlement for every child through the Curriculum for Excellence yet it is still not embedded with many secondary pupils or pupils from deprived areas not gaining access to the outdoors. We need to address this trend by supporting teachers by boosting their confidence in delivering all the wonder and excitement of the natural world. I want every child to have that quality of experience that inspired me to care passionately about the natural world.
We will continue to give nature a home with all the means at our disposal, but you too can get involved and flex your democratic muscles. Candidates seeking election will soon be knocking on your door and asking for your vote, therefore make sure they know the issues that are important to you - below is a crib sheet with some questions that you could ask candidates from all the parties. We’ve helped facilitate this discussion by hosting candidate cafes in Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow where, in an informal setting, you can put your questions to the political parties. We hope you can join us and that on 5th May nature wins in a landslide victory.