MATE CHANGE PART 2
s, including methane. Q - Qualifications are lable in understanding ate change. One such rse is Climate Solutions, ries of online modules ed at managers organisations and inesses. Supported by Scottish Government, course is run by the h-based Royal Scottish ographical Society onjunction with the versities of Edinburgh Stirling and the Institute irectors. Find out more ww.rsgs.org
R - Rainforests, both perate and tropical, ble oxygen turnover and are often described as the lungs of the Earth. However, heavy legal and illegal logging clearing for oil palm plantations and cattle ranching means that deforestation is still an environmental crisis.
‘R’ is also for refugees. Increasing numbers of people are fleeing from land impoverished by climate disruption as well as war.
• S - Soil degradation. Soil is taken for granted but is reducing constantly. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are fertilisers, but the last two are mined and irreplaceable and need to be used sparingly to avoid run-off into watercourses. Soil is vital, and needs protection through using sustainable farming practices.
‘S’ is also for sustainability, which is the goal of a circular economy. Supporting local farmers, producers and shops cuts down on food miles and strengthens the local economy.
• T - Trees provide shade and cooling, absorb greenhouse gases and pollutants, reduce flood risk, provide food, timber and habitat. Desertification happens when populations increase, trees are cleared, there is overgrazing, soil erosion, mining and increasing heat and less rain. Planting more trees helps long-term recovery.
• U - UN Climate Change annual conference, COP26, will be held in Glasgow next year and aims to assess and accelerate progress.
• V - Viruses. In the coming decades, ecological degradation, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events could intensify the threats to human health posed by viruses. For more information see www. medicalnewstoday.com
• W - Water is a precious resource, vital for all
Perth
Flooding is a regular issue across Perthshire forms of life and needed by farmers and communities. Water drawn off by global companies to fill single use plastic bottles leaves many communities without adequate supplies for farming and growing. Water is also vital for oversea transportation, sanitation, health and industrial use. Disappearing glaciers have led to extreme water shortages in some parts of the world reliant on melting ice. Find out more at www. water.org.uk and www. scottishwater.co.uk
X - “eXporting” plastic waste - the ban on plastic exports to China has seen the UK offloading its waste
The Royal Scottish Geographical Society is based in to nations with questionable practices.
• Y - You. You can make a difference, particularly at a local level, to help mitigate the impact of the climate emergency.
• Z - Zero Waste. In a zero waste system, material is reused as long and often as possible. At the moment, human beings are using the resource equivalent of three planets, which is unsustainable. The goal is for no waste to be sent to landfill, incinerators or oceans. Find out more at www. zerowastescotland.org.uk and, in east Perthshire, visit the new Green Way zero waste shop on Leslie Street, Blairgowrie.