media release

everyone - Scotland's environment groups campaigning together (500,000 supporters, 26 organisations, ONE voice)

Scottish hertiage sites at risk from climate change

National Trust names 'sites at risk'

20 February 2005.

 


Responding to news that some of Scotland's best known heritage sites and tourist locations are at risk from global climate change, environment groups have called on political parties to ring forward policies that will lead to year-on-year cuts in pollution. [1]

 

The demand for action comes after a warning by the National Trust for Scotland of the potential damage many of its 120 properties may suffer as a result of extreme weather and rising sea levels. Among the list of sites at risk are some the Trust's best know properties, including:

 

Culzean (past damage to sand dune habitats)
Iona (erosion of sand dunes and Machair)
St Kilda (threats to archaeological heritage)
Montrose Basin (some managed retreat already implemented)
Arduaine Garden (garden suffering erosion at seaward edge)
Canna (disruption to infrastructure)
Parklea (low-lying and susceptible to flooding)

 

Last week, 26 of Scotland's leading environment groups including the National Trust, launched a new campaign to challenge politicians to step up action to cut global climate change. [2]

 

Spokesman for the campaign and President of Scottish Environment LINK, Fred Edwards, said:

 

"The threat to some of the country's most precious heritage is just one of the reasons why Scotland's leading environment groups have chosen to unite around the issue of climate change. As climate change takes hold we can expect to see rises in sea levels and greater extremes in the weather. This will not only be bad news for the Trust but for everyone of us. Climate change will wreck homes, wildlife, transport and agricultural systems.

 

"We urgently need our politicians to step up action to cut global climate change. In the run up to the General Election we are looking for the political parties to commit to year-on-year cuts in climate emissions. We have set out a series of actions that should be taken to reduce climate pollution. We will be watching closely to see which parties are prepared to rise to the challenge."

 

More information:

 

ON THE CAMPAIGN:
FoE: Lang Banks/ Michelle Lowe on 0131 554 9977
WWF Scotland: Helen McDade 01887 820449

 

ON THE TRUST:
Francoise van Buuren, The National Trust for Scotland 0131 243 9384
John Hollingsworth, The National Trust for Scotland 0131 243 9349

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

 

[1] Iona among gems 'at risk from climate change', Scotland on Sunday, 20 Feb 2005. See:
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=193122005

 

[2] The everyone campaign is an initiative from Scottish Environment LINK, the umbrella body for Scotland's environmental organisations. Campaigning together as the everyone coalition, the groups plan to mobilise their collective half a million supporters to challenge politicians to step up action to cut global climate change. Using the slogan 'cut climate change, turn the heat up on your MP' the groups last week unveiled a series of election demands they wish politicians to take action on.

 

The everyone campaign is demanding that politicians come forward with policies that will deliver year-on-year progress toward a cut of at least 20 per cent in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010, and put us on a path to a 60 per cent cut by 2050.

 

http://www.everyonecan.org/news/050216_1.html