Category Archives: Environmental Ethics
‘Brexit’ and Combating Climate Change in Scotland
By Joanna Wright MSc Carbon Management 2015-2016 [Source: http://www.voxeurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/4931129-brexit-would-put-europe-stake] The front page of The Economist this week (February 27th-March 4th2016) proclaims “Brexit: Bad for Britain, Europe and the West”. Turn tothe Leader on page 9 and it is argued that not … Continue reading
Two sides of the climate change coin: climate science and policy after COP21
Overview Since the first establishment of the scientific evidence for climate change, little progress has been made in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to mitigate the problem. The pathways along which governments pass in gathering scientific evidence and negotiating climate … Continue reading
Edinburgh Sustainability Jam 2015
Can you solve a global issue in 48 hours? That was the challenge for 45 participants in the Edinburgh Sustainability Jam this year. In the face of dwindling natural resources, increased socioeconomic pressures and environmental degradation come motivated individuals ready … Continue reading
Urbanization of the Oceans – Blue Growth?
Dr Meriwether Wilson Over 100 years ago, a fierce philosophical debate circled the salons, cafes, balls and bars of intellectuals and pioneers alike – often known as the ‘American wilderness’ debate. The legendary icons of this debate included: John Muir … Continue reading
Controversies surrounding mega Marine Protected Area
Dr Laura Jeffery Until the end of the 20th century, most Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) were relatively small-scale conservation zones in coastal waters. The past decade has seen a proliferation in the designation of ever larger MPAs. Mega MPAs measuring … Continue reading
Towards Commercial Seabed Mining – Sustainable or Sacrilege?
Dr James Harrison The presence of minerals on the deep seabed was first discovered by the HMS Challenger expedition in 1873. Polymetallic nodules and other seabed resources (polymetallic sulphides and crusts) offer abundant supplies of valuable minerals, including manganese, cobalt, … Continue reading
Thinking about impact
I was recently asked to consider the question “What will be the impact of your research in 2025?” As a second year PhD student, the focus of my research is very much on the present (How are my interviews going? … Continue reading
The climate negotiations process: getting nowhere?
The 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has been ratified by virtually all states in the world. The Convention acknowledges that the adverse effects of global climate change are a common concern of humankind, and undertakes to … Continue reading
When there is a problem where do you look for answers?
Dr. Robbie Nicol, School of Education, University of Edinburgh Sitting amongst the lush, flowering machair, this rare European habitat, I find time and space to ponder. The vast expanse of sandy beach below is empty of people who will … Continue reading
It’s the end of the world as we know it – do I feel fine?
Dr David Farrier, Department of English Intervening in the debate around GM food this month, the environment minister Owen Patterson suggested that the public should listen more to their heads than their hearts when it comes to genetically modified crops … Continue reading