Climate change

SCOTLAND’S Marine Protected Areas network is helping to combat climate change, according to a report published recently by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

Scientists estimate the amount of carbon stored within Scotland’s inshore MPA network is equivalent to four years of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

Mike Burrows, from the Dunbeg-based Scottish Association for Marine Science, the principal author of the report, said: ‘ We now have a good baseline for directing efforts to protect blue carbon in Scotland’s coastal seas.’