Sea change in habits is urgently required

Millions of television viewers have spent their Sunday nights dazzled by the spectacular footage of marine life in the BBC’S Blue Planet II this month. Along with the gorgeous cinematography and enthralling tales of life and death beneath the waves, is Sir David Attenborough’s voiceover, elevating the documentary to a revered status but also delivering the stark warning that human activity is destroying the habitats in which we are glorying.

It is all too easy to dismiss his dire predictions when they are delivered alongside footage of exotic creatures in far flung oceans.

But the issues described by the renowned naturalist are as much a domestic problem as a global one.

The manager of the Isle of May nature reserve in the Firth of Forth has revealed gruesome details about the work he and his staff are carrying out to rescue seabirds.

Plastic bags, cotton buds, straws and other carelessly tossed aside plastics are proving fatal to the nesting populations of the reserve.

Environmentalists highlight the tonnes of rubbish picked up from beaches every day – all of which could have been disposed of properly.

We are, literally, strangling Scotland’s cherished wildlife and ruining our greatest wild assets.

Blue Plant delivers a message on a global scale but it is one which should be heeded in every household.