More than 110 events to celebrate Scottish Biodiversity Week



http://www.biodiversityscotland.gov.uk/area/biodiversity-week/photo-comp/













Message from Scottish National Heritage:

Scottish Biodiversity Week kicks off on May 19 with over 110 free wildlife events across Scotland.

Organised by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and partners, the week boosts a huge array of community events taking place from the top of the country in Caithness and Sutherland, down to Angus, Argyll and Scottish Borders.

Participants can spot a puffin colony or search for whales and dolphins in Caithness; walk through ‘bone’ caves where ice age reindeer, humans and polar bears were discovered or take part in a worm charming championship in Sutherland; take part in guided beaver walks near Lochgilphead; search for bats in Letham; watch for peregines near Kirriemuir; join a ranger-led walk around Possil March local nature reserve in Glasgow; find out about barn owls in Galashiels; learn about birdsong near Newton Stewart; take part in a biodiversity scavenger hunt in the Pentland Hills; or join in any number of activities at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh.

There are two naturalist celebrities taking part in Scottish Biodiversity Week as well. Well-known nature writer Sir John Lister-Kaye will be speaking and showing his spectacular pictures at the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness on May 22, while popular wildlife cameraman, Gordon Buchanan, will be planting the Tree for Life’s millionth volunteer-planted tree at Dundreggan Estate on May 20.

For more information on these and many other events across Scotland, see www.biodiversityscotland.gov.uk/biodiversityweek. Most events are free, with a few events with minimal charges.

Scottish Biodiversity Week organiser, Zeshan Akhter, said:

“There are so many great events on offer this year - there’s something for everyone, whether you want to be out in a remote spot, learning about and watching wildlife, or taking part in a busy woodland activity day. With over 110 events across Scotland, I’d really encourage everyone to take a look at our website and find an event nearby.”

Scottish Biodiversity Week has been held every year since 2001, starting as a local initiative in Fife in 2000 and growing into a national event. Many organisations put on events, including park ranger services, councils, environmental charities, botanic gardens, businesses, schools and community organisations. For more information and event listings, see www.biodiversityscotland.gov.uk/biodiversityweek. The purpose of Scottish Biodiversity Week is to celebrate Scotland's precious wildlife and landscapes and offer the chance to everyone to get out and about and experience them.

Energy Saving Scotland advice centre : Free insulation offers in South East Scotland

From Energy Saving Scotland advice centre South East:

What’s on offer?

The scheme offers free loft insulation, including ‘top-up’ insulation, and cavity wall insulation to all properties in Edinburgh, Fife, the Lothians and the Scottish Borders.

It's not means-tested in any way; the only condition is that the property must be suitable for the type of insulation available.

This is determined by a free no-obligation survey by an installer. Households living in other areas of Scotland can also access free or discounted loft insulation and cavity wall insulation by calling their local advice centre free on 0800 512 012.

Who is funding this?

The Scottish Government has invested over £16 million for this financial year, divided up between Scottish councils to deliver the scheme in proportion with the size of the area’s population. The scheme also makes use of funding that’s already available through the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT), a UK wide scheme that uses money from the energy companies to fund carbon-saving measures like insulation.

 

Why is that a good deal?

This is an example of a joined-up approach to reducing carbon emissions, tackling fuel poverty and reducing the impact of high energy costs. Not only does it make sense to pool the funding schemes (for every £1 of government money spent almost twice as much CERT funding is used to supplement the work being done) it makes practical sense too.

In the current economic climate people are increasingly concerned about their energy bills, so being able to offer a solution like this is a great opportunity to engage with householders and support them to take action.

 

Why act now?

CERT funding is available now but it won’t be here forever. Now is a good time to cash in on the funding before the current system is changed. Local Authorities want to maximise the positive impact these grants can have by making the most of the funding while it lasts. The Scottish Government is serious about tackling the growing issue of fuel poverty in Scotland, as well as reducing carbon emissions in line with our 2050 targets.

Householders can book a free no-obligation survey by calling the Home Energy Scotland Hotline free on 0800 512 012 or by texting ‘WARM’ to 81025 to register for a call back.

Photo from: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland

Climate Change deniers mostly men argues Rev John Bell

In part of a wider ranging BBC Radio 4 "thought for the day" on masculinity and corporate sin, Rev John Bell argues that most climate change deniers are male:

"Because we live in a broadly patriarchal society, we should not be surprised that the culture which brought about the worldwide financial meltdown was overwhelmingly masculine. But consider also that the people who are most vocal in denying human responsibility for the disastrous effects of climate change are mostly male."

Read or listen to the full broadcast here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00sc633

The Climate Change Jobs Tour Starts 12th May

For more information access their pamphlet here: http://www.climate-change-jobs.org/sites/default/files/1MillionClimateJobs_2010.PDF

World Fair Trade Day - May 12th 2012

One World Shop highlights World Fair Trade Day:

"World Fair Trade Day (WFTDay) is an initiative of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) and is being supported by thousands of people, Fair Trade Organisations, social and environmental movements, producers and consumers all around the planet."

For more information see the One World Shop April Newsletter:

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=7c38f425e8e2d26bc4ab52c5e&id=b8313225bd&e=9c32c50556

Grants for church building conservation.

Thanks to Community Energy Scotland for bringing this to our attention:

The William and Jane Morris Fund is open to applications from churches, chapels and other places of worship built before 1896. The Fund offers grants of up to £1,000 towards work concerned with the conservation of decorative features such as, stained glass windows, sculpture, furniture, internal monuments and tombs, and wall paintings. Grants towards major structural repairs and fabric maintenance may be considered under exceptional circumstances.

Deadline: 31st August 2012

Further information here:

http://www.sal.org.uk/grants/williamandjanemorris/

Fundraising campaign to support African youth climate leaders

Message from Claire Morris: 

Fundraising campaign

I am launching a huge crowdsourced fundraising campaign to support African youth climate leaders to be able to travel and participate at the Earth Summit too. It's come to my attention that European and N. American youth activists and campaigners are MUCH more supported to get their voice heard in the international negotiating arena, than African youth are, and I think it's time for us to begin to equalise at least the access and opportunity for young Africans to defend their future, as I would be able to go to a UN meeting and defend mine. The need is also so much more urgent in the developing world, where crop failure, floods, famine and Climate Change are hitting so hard.

If you can support and promote this fundraising page, I would be so grateful! http://www.indiegogo.com/RioPlusAfrica

We're looking for $20 dollars (~£15) from 200 people in the "Global North" in 2 weeks, to fund Njideka (Nigeria), James (Malawi) and Alpha (Kenya) to attend the Earth Summit.

Youth representative to the UN assembly at the Rio Earth Summit in June

At the moment, I am actually applying to speak as the youth representative to the UN assembly at the Rio Earth Summit in June. My entry is here, http://bit.ly/I9QC6r

It's such an exciting opportunity, to have the chance to address the 192 UN member states at the Earth Summit in person, as Severn Suzuki did in 1992, 20 years ago now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQmz6Rbpnu0