New report highlights disastrous cost of inaction on nature restoration - Scottish Wildlife Trust
A new report published today (Tuesday 12 November) has revealed the potentially devastating consequences Scotland could face if accelerated action is not taken to protect and restore nature.
The report, titled “Act now, save later”, is a collaboration between the Scottish Wildlife Trust and The University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Sustainable Forests and Landscapes, and was funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
It examines two potential scenarios of what Scotland could look like in 2045, depending on how much funding and support is given to nature conservation. These scenarios are based on desk-based research and information discussed at a workshop with stakeholders working in the fields of economics, biodiversity and wider environmental issues.
The first scenario looks at a future in which no significant action is taken to tackle nature loss over the next 20 years. Participants agreed that this would lead to a situation in which the economy is declining, with rising prices and uncertainty around food production. It also indicated that the benefits we get from nature, such as clean water, would be reduced, rural areas would face depopulation and social inequalities would have worsened. Moreover, Scotland’s international reputation could be diminished.
In the second scenario, the report examines how Scotland might look if policy, action and funding in support of nature restoration are stepped up considerably. Findings suggest that this would result in a nation that is well on the way to nature recovery; people are thriving and all parts of society fully understand, value and respect the importance of wildlife. It also predicts that we would have a sustainable economy working alongside a healthy environment.
The full report can be downloaded from the University of Edinburgh’s website.
Posted On: 12/11/2024
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