GE2015 Candidate Statement - Isla O'Reilly, Scottish Greens

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Written by Gus Jones
Category: Debates
Published: 01 April 2015
"I have read through the Scottish Environment LINK’s Manifesto for the Westminster General Election.  It is an excellent piece of work and I can say we wholeheartedly support the ideas and aims.
 
I come from Organic farming stock so my heart lies in permaculture and food production.  The food system has a profound effect on nature, human health and equality.  We need to ensure that we create and protect sustainable practices that make good food affordable and accessible to all.
 
The Scottish Green Party policies are the best way to integrate the social, ecological and economic issues, facing our country, instead of playing them off against each other. 
 
Climate change is a huge problem but I believe it is a symptom of the real issue.  Capitalism is the biggest problem we face.  There is widespread consensus that economic activity is putting life on earth at risk.  We need to reject right wing individualism ideology and work together to create a compassionate society and a healthy environment. 
 
Preserving the rich biodiversity of life on this planet is a core aim of the greens.  To combat the deepening ecological crisis and decline in species, our policies aim to conserve, protect and restore land marine and freshwater habitats. 
 
We are committed to halting biodiversity loss and aim to introduce measures to ensure that protected areas promote biodiversity growth and planning decisions fully consider impacts upon the natural environment and introduce mitigation measures where appropriate. 
 
I am very much looking forward to hearing lots of ideas from the Badenoch and Strathspey conservation group on these and many other issues."

GE2015 Candidate Statement - Mike Robb, Labour

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Written by Gus Jones
Category: Debates
Published: 01 April 2015

Mike Robb is the Scottish Labour Party Candidate for this Constituency.

He has a degree in Physics from Edinburgh University and has worked in the software and electronics industry for most of his professional career. Mike runs his own UK-wide IT Consultancy Business from Inverness. Mike lives in Muir of Ord, with his wife Gwen who is a nurse. They have two grown up sons. His priorities are jobs for young people, getting more houses built, protecting the NHS and building an economy that's works for us all, not just bankers.

Our environment is a precious thing. For all of us wherever we live but especially here in the Highlands. Protecting that environment against factors local, national and global is vital.

We all have a role to play in that, whether as environmental activists, single issue campaigners, community groups or politicians, elected or aspiring!

I believe that climate change is happening and that we need to intervene at many levels to avoid its worst effects. In responding, we need to be led by science and not by vested interests or dogma.

On energy, we need policies that are science based and that provide safe, secure and reliable sources. Energy needs to be affordable and reliable as well as renewable.

We need to do much more to tackle the use of energy in terms of how we use it as much as how we produce it. Home insulation projects, innovative area heating schemes and getting people out of cars and onto energy efficient public transport are key.

Wind farms have a place in the mix. But I am steadily coming to the conclusion that the scale and pace of industrial wind farm developments is much more about the benefits to landowners and international energy companies than it is to the environment or to local communities and consumers. Like so many things in our society, the benefits are for the few whilst the costs are picked up by many ordinary families.

Fuel poverty is a real issue in the Highlands. We need sources of energy which don’t damage the planet but which allow the most vulnerable in our communities to heat their homes without fear.

On transport, we need a better balance to cut fuel-based emissions. The use of a car will never be any more than an essential in most parts of the Highlands, but there is so much we can do to ensure there are environmentally positive alternatives in as many places as possible. Train and bus timetables that join up; frequent, affordable rural bus services that recognise the value of providing an alternative to cars. The private sector may not be ready to provide this and we should be ready to look at public ownership again. We need to dual the A9, but we also need to invest in the rail link to Inverness to make it an attractive alternative to driving cars and lorries up and down the A9. And as a cyclist, I’d like us to invest in making it “safe and easy” to cycle to work in as many places as possible.

Sustainable farming, fracking, green procurement, getting the balance right in the Cairngorms between environment and tourism are all topical issues which I look forward to debating

Mike Robb
March 2015

GE2015 Candidate Statement - Edward Mountain, Conservative

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Written by Gus Jones
Category: Debates
Published: 30 March 2015

We have asked our candidates for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey for statements on the environment prior to our Environmental Hustings on Friday 3rd April 7pm in Aviemore. This is the first reply, which is from Edward Mountain, Scottish Conservative:

"As a farmer and rural surveyor I have a very keen interest in how we use our environment. Prior to the meeting I would like to highlight just two local issuses:

Water:
The Spey is a hugely important asset that all those within the Strath rely on. It not only provides our household needs but it also provides water for the distilleries and agriculture and it is also a recreational resource. We should also not ignore the fact it is home to many iconic species including salmon, pearl water mussels, otters, kingfishers to name but a few. However the management of this river is conducted in a piecemeal way, by at least three different agencies, that has resulted in the habitats and water quality and quantity being diminished.

Energy:
Our green energy policy in Scotland is deeply flawed. Sadly political posturing has resulted in a policy that often benefits the few but burdens the majority. Basing a policy that relies on wind factories is also deeply hypocritical and damages our landscape. We must review the policy to ensure safety of supply and a balance of provision.

I believe there are many other issues and look forward to discussing these on 3rd April. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Best wishes

Edward Mountain"

Concerns for the River Spey's otters

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Written by Gus Jones
Category: Animals
Published: 04 March 2015

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The River Spey and its tributaries is a European conservation site for otters and is vulnerable to major new developments.

Otters dependant on the River Spey and its tributaries may be facing growing problems in the Cairngorms National Park. A report soon to be published by SNH could shed light on how otters are faring in the River Spey Special Area of Conservation in Badenoch & Strathspey.

Threats to otters include climate change, habitat degradation and fragmentation linked to development, human disturbance and road traffic accidents. A 26% human population increase over 20 years is forecast in the Cairngorms National Park as a result of the National Park Authority’s controversial housing development proposals. This increase is likely to add to pressures on otters. (See https://www.flickr.com/search/?w=48558356@N04&q=infographic@N04&q=infographic ).

Otters, which feed in minor drainage ditches and small burns and pools as well as larger water bodies, are vulnerable to declines in amphibians and fish stocks. Eels, which can be a staple prey for otters, have suffered alarming declines in recent years, and extreme weather events can lead to the loss of river-bank trees used as retreats by resting otters.

To help otters we need to know more about which areas are important for mothers with cubs. This is especially so as natal holts, where cubs are born and spend their first few months, can be well away from rivers. Perhaps surprisingly, woodlands can be particularly important places for natal holts.

BSCG has long been concerned that woodlands are under major pressure in the Cairngorms National Park from development and recreation, and this could be critical for otters. BSCG is working with others to draw attention to threats to otters and has been helping the International Otter Survival Fund and Cardiff University by collecting otters found dead and sending them for analysis that includes measuring pollutants.BSCG is always interested to hear of otters found dead.


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A letter about otters at a threatened site in Strathspey.


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Otter tracks in sand by the River Spey.

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Naturalist Bobby Tulloch shared his experiences of watching otters in a book published in 1994 by Colin Baxter.


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Otters are vulnerable to road traffic accidents.


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Otter tracks in snow on a small lochan at a threatened site in Strathspey.

GE2015 Environmental Hustings in Aviemore Friday 3rd April

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Written by Gus Jones
Category: Meetings
Published: 04 March 2015

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BSCG is looking forward to welcoming the candidates for the May Westminster election at a public meeting on Friday 3rd April 2015 in Aviemore Community Centre, 7pm – 9pm.

Make the most of this opportunity to raise the questions that matter on the environment with all the general election candidates.

Admission is free and donations welcome.

The event is kindly being chaired by Bill Sadler, Coordinator of the Grantown 250 celebrations.

Candidates for the marginal and hotly contested Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey seat include:

  • Standing MP Danny Alexander (Liberal Democrat)
  • Drew Hendry (SNP)
  • Mike Robb (Labour)
  • Isla O’Reilly (Scottish Green Party)
  • Edward Mountain (Conservative)
  • Les Durance (UKIP).