Preserving Pasts, Imagining Futures

Approximately 1,200 people live on the island of Benbecula, many in coastal locations. They depend upon the north-south spinal road which connects to North and South Uist by causeways.  

These connections and many of the coastal settlements are at risk from inundation both from sea level rise and more extreme weather events which can cause further coastal damage. 

While rising temperatures mostly affect the sub-arctic mountain plateau endangering flora and fauna resident since the last ice age, changes to the mountain environment will also affect the many people who make their living from the land.

The Cairngorms National Park has seen a decline in the snow cover of its hills between 1968 – 2005. This decline can be linked with global heating and will have an impact on the local ecology and hydrology as well as  local communities.

However, the national park has taken steps to adapt to climate change,  including identifying the key role it has to play in tackling climate change through nature-based solutions such as peatland restoration and woodland creation.  

Running from the Lanarkshire Hills through Glasgow city to the shallow estuary, the River Clyde has a diverse history associated with shipbuilding and heavy industries such as iron and steel works. 

The Fife coast is popular with tourists for its scenic, historic fishing villages, but is also home to industry, and rich agricultural land. Our landscapes are part of Scotland’s natural capital which help support our rural communities and economies as well as our food product.

As the capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh is a hub for domestic and international tourism. Transport accounts for 35.6% (2018 statistics) of Scotland’s emissions from daily travel, aviation, maritime, as well as heavy goods. 

Targets have been set to stop the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2032, while Edinburgh is transforming how we approach inner-city travel to encourage more sustainable low carbon and active travel to support healthier lifestyles and reduce pollution.