Climate Crisis
Our climate change turning point is right here, right now.
An article by Rebecca Solnit that examines our inability to recognise the impending climate crisis without a tangible catastrophe as we make our transition into the anthropocene era.
Just how historic was Western Canada’s heat wave? Nothing can compare.
An article from The Tyee outlining the devastating impact of the “heat dome” conditions experienced in North America in June and July 2021.
A heatwave thawed Siberia’s tundra. Now, it’s on fire.
A National Geographic article examining the devastating impact of fire in the boreal forests and tundra peatland regions of northern Siberia, ecosystems that lie over frozen permafrost soils.
We’re here to see the Great Doomed Thing.
A heartfelt longform essay by Robert Moor reconciling personal tragedy, as his partner survives a near-death experience, with a recuperation visit to a fragile ecosystem, and examining the idea that travel is heavy with personal meaning and ecological consequence.
Rewilding and Regeneration
Regeneration at Mar Lodge Estate.
Andrew Painting, Seasonal Ecologist for National Trust for Scotland at Mar Lodge Estate, the largest National Nature Reserve in the UK, located in the heart of the Cairngorms, describes the changes happening on a walk in Glen Quoich, Clais Fhearnaig and Glen Lui.
The Bleak Industrial Beauty of Scotland’s Heather Moorlands.
In an extract from his latest book, Stephen Rutt examines the intensive management of heather moorland for grouse shooting through muirburn, and the impact on the ecology of our uplands.
The Willow Walk: Why a team of volunteers carried 3,000 saplings into the Cairngorms
At the beginning of June, on a sparklingly clear day, I was one of the volunteers to lend a hand to transporting a few thousand downy willow saplings over the Cairngorm plateau to their new home in the Loch Avon basin. Sydney Henderson of Cairngorms Connect describes the project.
Let Kinloch Castle fall into curated decay, and become the ruin Scotland needs.
An interesting proposal from Fraser Macdonald, to recognise the continued costly upkeep of a piece of built heritage, a decadent folly, is unsustainable, and a move to managed decline, curated decay, would seem logical. And might just rock the established order in heritage conservation.
The Great Outdoors
New to outdoor adventure in Britain? Here’s how to keep yourself safe.
An excellent article by Ash Routen encouraging us to take responsibility for their own safety in the outdoors and develop a sense of self reliance as they push their boundaries. Timely too, with the number of people discovering their love of hillwalking, camping, and other outdoor activities on the increase.
‘It is treated as a commodity to be conquered.’ Can mountain tourism ever be truly sustainable?
A thoughtful piece on the damage caused to fragile mountain environments by mass tourism by Nick Drainey, and a potential slow travel solution in the form of the ecomuseum concept.
Connecting People and Places: A Policy Statement on Rangering in Scotland
A document produced by Nature Scot on the tangible benefits of an effective family of Ranger services across Scotland.
