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.

scotland-VIta3RTOT1c-unsplash-scaled-aspect-ratio-540-358

Where are all the bees?

03 Oct 2024

Earlier this summer I found myself repeatedly asking an uncomfortable question: where are all the bees? It turned out I was not alone in being disturbed by the silence in my garden – which, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust explained, was caused by a longer than usual gap between the emergence of queen and worker bees. […]

C-Cath-Bain-Sperm-Whale-aspect-ratio-540-358

Why Scotland’s failure to protect its seas simply cannot continue

30 Sep 2024

This piece first appeared in Scotland on Sunday on the 29th of September, 2024. Who doesn’t love a sea view? Scotland has glorious ocean vistas by the bucketload. But looking out to the horizon, we rarely think about what’s beyond view, deep below the surface. Scotland’s deep seas are home to extraordinary creatures, from whales […]

A firework anemone in the deep sea

Out of sight, out of mind? Why we should care about protecting the deep sea

05 Sep 2024

The deep sea is one of those mysterious parts of planet earth – or should that be planet ocean? It’s so far away and out of reach that most people only hear about it occasionally in the news or on wildlife documentaries. But did you know that deep sea ecosystems have a powerful influence on […]

DSC_17702-scaled-aspect-ratio-540-358

Who is going to pay for nature restoration?

03 Sep 2024

Nature restoration is a primary objective of many LINK members and we are pleased that in general the imperative of restoring Scotland’s biodiversity is increasingly recognised and that the Scottish government has committed to action.  We are of course deeply concerned about the recent announcements regarding short term cuts to the local authority Nature Restoration […]

rhodi-bashing-2-scaled-aspect-ratio-540-358

Cuts to Scotland’s nature restoration fund a misguided step

01 Sep 2024

This article first appeared in The Scotsman. Scotland’s response to lockdown was to fall in love with nature. The more we were limited to our homes, the more we realised how much nature meant to us and how much it helped us feel better when the world felt bleak. Have we forgotten that? The natural world […]

A rocky reef with dead man's fingers and shoaling fish in Loch nam Madadh, North Uist

Marine protected area management – FAQs

26 Aug 2024

What are marine protected areas (MPAs)? Marine protected areas (MPAs) are like nature reserves underwater. They are defined areas of the sea set aside to protect and restore important or vulnerable marine species, habitats or ecosystems (communities of living creatures). Usually certain activities are managed (restricted or changed) within MPAs to reduce or prevent damage […]

Grey seals on a beach in Caithness

Scotland’s MPA network: ten years of delayed ocean conservation

24 Jul 2024

By Esther Brooker, Fanny Royanez (Scottish Environment LINK) and Rebecca Crawford (Scottish Wildlife Trust)  It has been 10 years since a suite of 30 new nature conservation marine protected areas (MPAs) were designated in Scotland’s seas under Scottish and UK law. These were in addition to the MPAs already designated under European law. The purpose […]

Bottle-No-Return-aspect-ratio-540-358

Scotland’s Circular Economy Bill – reflections on a long journey

22 Jul 2024

By Phoebe Cochrane, Sustainable Economy Officer at Scottish Environment LINK It has been a long journey for those of us in the environmental NGO sector who have been campaigning for a circular economy bill.  The 2016 SNP manifesto included a commitment to a circular economy bill and the funding of our Circular Economy for a […]

unnamed-aspect-ratio-540-358

Upskilling the next generation of marine scientists and policy makers

15 Jul 2024

Blog by Fanny Royanez, Marine Policy and Engagement Officer at Scottish Environment LINK. Today, on the 15th of July, we celebrate the 10th World Youth Skills Day, a day dedicated to empowering young people by equipping them with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship as well as for addressing global challenges and advancing sustainable […]

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