The majority of people of all age groups in Scotland believe that climate change is an immediate and urgent problem, an official poll has found for the first time. More than 10,000 households took part in the Scottish Household Survey. Sixty-eight per cent agreed that extreme weather posed a genuine threat to the planet. The first time the question appeared on the questionnaire, seven years ago, 46 per cent of adults held this view. Since the survey was conducted last year Scotland has experienced some of its hottest days and wettest weather. Researchers have warned that the country should prepare for more dry, hot summers with temperatures of about 30C amid concerns that, unless CO2 emissions are cut “very drastically”, record-breaking summers like 2018 could become quite common. Experts have also warned that transport infrastructure will require a significant overhaul to prevent more lives being lost to extreme weather. Last month three people died and six were injured when a train between Aberdeen and Glasgow struck a landslip during torrential rain near Stonehaven.
Times 16th Sept 2020 read more »
The National 16th Sept 2020 read more »
Scotsman 16th Sept 2020 read more »
THE HEAD of the independent body set up to advise governments on the climate emergency has suggested Scotland could become a carbon capture “hub” for the rest of Europe as part of plans to transform into a zero carbon economy. Chris Stark, the chief executive of the Committee on Climate Change, praised the Scottish Government’s commitments to a green recovery from Covid-19 in its Programme for Government – but warned over a lack of a strategy to modernise farming as part of Scotland’s pledge to become carbon neutral by 2045. He was appearing before MSPs on Holyrood’s environment, climate change and land reform committee who are investigating a green recovery from the pandemic. Mr Stark said the Scottish Government has “clearly embraced the advice we gave” over the Programme for Government – which has a distinct focus on green jobs, adding that “ministers are on the right track”. But he warned that he was “very worried about a rebound for the use of cars” with the public nervous about using public transport during the pandemic, which he said could “undermine the efforts” of a green recovery. Mr Stark stressed that the impacts of the climate emergency will be seen directly in Scotland, warning that the country is “not immune” from physical risks such as increased flooding – suggesting that authorities are under-prepared for a shift to a net zero country.
Herald 15th Sept 2020 read more »