‘Undivided Commitment’ Needed for Scotland to Become a Rewilding Nation, Says Environmental Expert
Omar Malik
22/04/24
(Glencoe’s Pine Tree Forestry Exploitation. Image Credit: lowsun/Shutterstock)
“Undivided commitment” is required by the Scottish government for Scotland to be declared the world’s first rewilding nation, warns an environmental expert.
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The Scottish Rewilding Alliance, a conservation charity consisting of over 20 organisations, has launched a new campaign urging the Scottish government to commit to nature recovery across 30% of the country’s land and sea.
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Dr Andrew Wilson, an environmental management lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University, believes rewilding Scotland is feasible: “It’s absolutely achievable - Scotland comprises a third of the UK’s landmass, and we’ve got less of a population than London. I’d like to see Scotland’s forestry restored and certain species return.”
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Rewilding Europe describes rewilding as “letting nature take care of itself, enabling natural processes to shape land and sea, repair damaged ecosystems and restore degraded landscapes. Through rewilding, wildlife’s natural rhythms create wilder, more biodiverse habitats.”
(Video Credit: Omar Malik)
(Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve’s Blanket Bog. Image Credit: Rini Kools/Shutterstock)
In March, the Scottish Rewilding Alliance reported that 2% of Scotland’s land was now rewilding - covering 160,000 hectares across 150 projects.
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But Dr Wilson warns of the potential for the rewilding project to be undermined: “Foreign commitment and investment in rewilding must be pledged both now and in the future. While the whole ‘carbon neutrality’ claim is something I’d avoid - as it is essentially organisations saying they’ll plant a few trees then label themselves as carbon neutral; which is often borderline greenwashing.”
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“Considering certain parties’ U-turns in recent years, I’m sceptical that they would follow through. For example, Labour saying they’ll commit to limiting global warming to two degrees by 2100; yet they’re still investing in oil expansion. If this is going to work, it needs full undivided commitment,” Dr Wilson continued.
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Transparent community dialogue is needed for the public to get on board with rewilding projects, Dr Wilson tells Blether: “Ensure the communities feel involved and considered. For example, wind turbine suggestions are normally met with NIMBYism. People generally like the idea of wind farms, just not on their doorsteps - so communicate the benefits, such as how the developer will invest in the local community.
(The SNP Reversed Flagship Climate Change Goals. Image Credit: NicoElNino/Shutterstock)
Last week, the Scottish government announced a sudden reversal of their flagship pursuit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by the end of the decade.
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Dr Wilson proposes rewilding as a potential solution to the devastation caused by global warming: “The projection is that current pledges will limit global warming by 2100 to about 2.7 or 2.8 degrees - so you’re going to see natural habitats start to disappear. Rather than just continue down this path, we can endorse rewilding as one option to try and combat this catastrophic issue.”
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The campaign has recently been backed by actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who posted his support to his 62 million Instagram followers. This is not the first time DiCaprio has been involved with Scottish environmental matters. The actor's appearance in Glasgow for COP26 resulted in international coverage in 2021, in which DiCaprio was appointed as a UN climate change representative.
(DiCaprio Has Endorsed The Campaign. Image Credit: DFree/Shutterstock)
Recognition of the campaign by Hollywood stars such as DiCaprio will heighten national awareness of rewilding, says Dr Wilson: “When high profile figures express something they're passionate about and motivated by, it doesn't devalue the campaign; rather, it gets more people aware of the issue.”
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Rewilding Britain hopes to raise up to £200,000 for the campaign during this year's Big Give Green Match Fund, which runs from April 18-25.
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Big Give will match all donations up to £100,000, with funds being used to increase the campaign's community reach, fairness and accessibility.
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A Rewilding Nation Charter urging the Scottish government to implement the conservation efforts has received thousands of signatures, according to the Scottish Rewilding Alliance.
If you wish to support the campaign, you can sign the charter here.