Issue 158

November 2024

Hello dear readers, and a very warm welcome to the new edition of the Voice for Arran. It is great to be back, although I am a little disoriented after the three months break since the last issue, and I have momentarily been wondering if it really is December, and not in fact October!

This disorientation however is also related to the slight feeling of ‘Groundhog Day’ I have been experiencing at times in recent weeks – the feeling that ‘events that have happened before happen again, in what seems to be exactly the same way.’ That the Arran Outdoor Education Centre is at risk of closure again, and so soon after the last time it was threatened, is a depressing case in point. But in relation to many things going on in the world just now, I have been wondering – why is it that the same things seem to repeatedly occur with no apparent change or alteration?

Coming across Alison Prince’s piece, ‘The Year 2000’, in The Arran Naturalist added another layer of contemplation. Writing in 1990, in the light of the approaching millennium, Prince looks at the nature of our planet as a living entity and the “mystery in the whole set up” being humankind. We could not survive without the earth, yet at the same time it seems we are doing all we can to destroy it – our energy consumption is increasing, we produce more things to buy, still “we are devoted to the idea of a constant improving standard of living”. She asks, “In 10 years time, how will this parasitic relationship have developed – or deteriorated?”

Her piece could well have been written today, with similar warnings coming from the UN, from scientists, environmental organisations and elsewhere. Amidst the Cop29 Conference and Global Plastics Treaty taking place last month, has come the news that 2024 is on track to be the warmest year on record, already hitting 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and without cuts to emissions, temperatures are heading towards a rise of 3.1°C. As Prince wrote over 30 years, “A race against time is going on.”

Sally Campbell’s report on the Cop29 that has just concluded in Azerbaijan provides a small chink of light, via the actions of the UK government and the new targets Sir Keir Starmer has committed to. Acting on recommendations from the Climate Change Committee, “He announced that the UK’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target will be to reduce emissions by at least 81% compared to 1990 levels by 2035.” While we will have to wait and see if these policies are backed up with concrete action, they at least reflect a possibility of change in what seems to be an otherwise overwhelming trajectory towards rising global temperatures driven by oil and gas interests.

Prince writes, “In the coming decade, we as a species will have to accept the fact that we cannot do as we like, but only as the earth permits us.” While for many this statement may sound like a restriction on their individual liberty, in the face of relentless environmental disregard it feels to me instead to be about making planet positive choices, and about acting on our human capacity – perhaps this is the “mystery” – to be able to do things differently in the space that each new moment brings.

I have yet to find myself in the Christmas spirit, but with some of the lovely things happening in the coming weeks, including a Corrie Christmas Film Club, Eco Savvy’s Christmas Fair and the Lamlash Drama Club’s annual panto, there is still time! We hope you enjoy the issue and from all of us at the Voice we wish you a happy and peaceful festive time… Elsa

What about Cop29?

** Briefly: What is the Committee on Climate Change and when was it established? 

net zeroadaptation issuesSir Keir StarmerShadow Secretary of State for Climate Change and Net Zero2024 general election He has a long interest in climate change. He wrote an excellent article this week see:https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/25/transition-clean-energy-unstoppable-cop29
  • “Here’s what I learned at Cop29. Rows aside, an unstoppable transition to clean energy is happening. Britain wanted much better outcomes on many issues, but seeing the ambition at the conference gives me hope for the future
  • The climate crisis is all around us. And the world is not moving nearly fast enough. In that context, the Cop process for climate negotiations feels frustratingly slow. Yet it is the best mechanism for multilateral action we have, so we have to use it to do everything we can to speed up action.
  • The UK went to Cop29 determined to play its part in a successful negotiation because it is in our national interest. There is no national security without climate security. That is so clear from the effects of Storm Bert over the past   If we do not act, we can expect more and more of these extreme and devastating outcomes.
  • The only way we keep the British people safe from extreme weather, economic disruption and the destruction of nature is to get the world to act. The previous government used the fact that the UK is responsible for about 1% of annual global emissions as an excuse for inaction. But given that climate impact knows no borders, our only hope of keeping the UK safe is to lead and work with other countries to ensure the other 99% of emissions are also addressed.
  • By this standard, the 11th-hour deal reached at Cop29 is a step forward. The reality is there is no route to a stable climate without supporting developing countries to embrace the clean-energy revolution. The $300bn climate finance goal, trebling the current $100bn, will help poorer countries get the finance they need to decarbonise their economies and protect their populations.
  • This deal could lead to emissions reductions that are the equivalent to removing the emissions of about 1bn cars, as well as helping to protect up to 1 billion people in developing countries from the effects of floods, heatwaves and droughts caused by the climate crisis.
  • This deal will also help speed up the clean-energy transition globally, which is, crucially, right for Britain because of what it offers in terms of investment and economic opportunity, including exports. For us and others around the world, taking advantage of this transition is the route to good jobs, economic growth and higher living standards.
  • The finance goal agreed also reflects a new global landscape where traditional donors will be joined by big emitters such as China to help fund the transition. That is a fair reflection of the world today.
  • Of course, many developing countries facing the intensifying effects of the climate crisis and the need for development and investment in a low carbon transition, do not feel that this finance goal will address their requirements. This is understandable, but the outcome at Cop29 does represent an advance at a time of massive pressures on public finances. The finance goal, along with an agreement at Baku on carbon markets and the mobilisation of the private sector, are the essential elements for ensuring a roadmap to the $1.3tn of finance for developing countries set out in the Cop29 deal.
  • While this Cop did make strides forward on finance, and that was always going to be its focus, it did not make the same progress elsewhere. In particular, the UK would have wanted to see a much stronger outcome on taking forward the global stocktake agreed at Cop28 on the transition away from fossil fuels and on keeping alive the commitment to keep the world’s temperature rise below 1.5C.
  • Agreement on these issues was not reached because a number of developed and developing countries did not believe the Cop29 text was sufficiently ambitious. These countries, of which Britain was one, will not settle for lowest common denominator outcomes on decisions that define the future of humanity; this shows the broad coalition that exists for climate action in the global north and the global south.
  • This alliance of high ambition is the world’s centre ground of climate politics and is the best hope for the future. In our work with Brazil, hosts of Cop30, we are seeking to demonstrate this in practice. Keir Starmer came to the Cop to announce a target for 2035 – 81% emissions reductions, which is ambitious and aligned with 1.5C – at the same time as Brazil announced its ambitious nationally determined contribution (NDC). The president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Starmer then collaborated at the G20 (The Group of Twenty, an informal gathering of many of the world's largest economies, is the premier global forum for discussing economic issues) on our new global clean power alliance and we will work closely and urgently with them on energy, finance and forests over the next 12 months in the run-up to Brazil’s Cop 30 in November 2025.
  • The reality of Cops is that they offer multiple truths about the state of climate politics and the world. Some optimistic, others less so. Yet for me there is one that stands out. The clean-energy transition is happening and it is unstoppable because economic prosperity and tackling the climate crisis now point in the same direction.
  • The task for Britain now is to accelerate at home, so we can seize the economic opportunity and work with others internationally to speed action globally. In less than five months in office, we have shown how we can galvanise a national mission to make us a clean-energy superpower. Internationally, this Cop showed Britain is back in the global climate leadership business. Whatever the challenges of these negotiations, the commitment of the UK government is to work with others to rise to the emergency we face. It is the leadership the British people deserve.”

Notes from The Arran Naturalist

A very pertinent piece by the late Alison Prince writing in 1990. Reflecting on the coming of the Year 2000, it echos, or rather precedes, the similar themes and issues that define the current questions concerning humankind's relationship with the earth, and the conversations happening at the recent international climate conferences.

Extracts from The Arran Naturalist, Journal of the Arran Natural History Society, Issue No.13, 1990. Featured image of Alison Prince.

Arran Outdoor Education Centre at risk of closure, again

It is just under two years ago that, after a huge community campaign, the Arran Outdoor Education Centre was saved from council budget cuts. Now under threat again, and with the NAC's online budget engagement closing to responses last week, Voice Reporter sent in this reflection:

Astonishing that North Ayrshire Council are once again considering closing the Arran Outdoor Education Centre in Lamlash. Can they have so quickly forgotten the vociferous protests that came not only from Arran but all over Ayrshire, that rightly stilled their hand the last time?

Tackling Climate Change by Living Well for Less

  • Meet the Installer events
  • Greenhouse gas emissions calculations and support
  • Action Learning Groups
  • increasing on-island Accredited Installer Expertise and
  • developing a practical energy resource directory, relevant to Arran.
  • Updating the Green Islands net zero plan for Arran.
Meet Accredited Installers and share ideas and experiences th here

Join us at our next Meet the Installer Energy Event, 12th February 2025, Corrie and Sannox Village Hall, 11am – 3pm.

Don't forget your EPC or Carbon Audit if you have one.For those who have received EPC Assessments and / or have Carbon Net Zero Plans through the Green Islands Project we want to help you take the next cost and planet saving steps to implement your Energy Performance Certificate assessment or audit recommendations.Sofi@arranecosavvy.org.ukFeatured image: Meet the Installer event 19.11.24. Credit: Arran Eco Savvy

Scotland’s Climate Targets

In a week’s time world leaders will gather in Azerbaijan for COP29, the annual climate talks that aim to secure commitments to keep us on track to avoiding the worst impacts of global heating. Countries are required to submit new goals for reducing emissions at this year’s conference, and the UK Government’s official advisors, the Climate Change Committee (CCC), last week recommended that this should be a reduction of 81% from 1990 levels by 2035. Alongside this, in Scotland the process of switching from annual climate targets to a 5 yearly carbon budget system is due to conclude today – a situation that is the result of years of Scottish Ministers failing to deliver the transformative climate action needed. While we don’t yet know what Scotland’s carbon budget levels will be set at – that will follow CCC advice in spring – the 81% by 2035 that the UK has been told it should hit gives a strong indication – and Scotland will need to go even further than this due to its earlier net zero target than the rest of the UK. Becky Kenton-Lake of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said “Scotland has shown climate leadership in the past, but with an abject failure to deliver action making their once world leading targets unachievable – leaving the government in the unconscionable position of having to change its own law to avoid breaking it – their climate credibility is now in tatters.” “The next few months bring specific, concrete opportunities to make long overdue progress and begin to repair this damage, inspire hope and lead to a greener, fairer, healthier Scotland. Positive climate policies will improve the lives of people in Scotland through making our homes warmer, public transport more efficient, and to develop the skills needed for good green jobs.” “With Scotland and the UK only managing to reduce emissions by about 50% so far, hitting anywhere close to what is needed by 2035 will require urgent, fundamental shifts in commitment, delivery and funding across all parts of government.” “Therefore, even after weakening its climate ambition, the Scottish Government has a mountain to climb to have any hope of meeting its new carbon budgets, and it is action in the remaining years of this decade that will determine if we do.” “While the UK’s target is challenging, it is the minimum of what is needed – the recent devastating floods in Spain give a stark reminder of just how much is at stake if we continue to delay action.”

Plastics Update: Christmas and Plastic

It can be done. These pictures show a local supermarket in Germany where most of the vegetables and fruit are not plastic wrapped. In addition, there is payment on plastic bottles and refunds when returned, rather like we had on glass bottles of Tizer in the 1950s when I was a kid. Same with aluminium cans. The one-time use of plastics is visibly less than in the UK supermarkets. Why is the UK/Scotland not doing the same?

The fifth and potentially final round of negotiations at the Global Plastics Treaty (INC5) is taking place this week from 25th November – 1st December 2024 in Busan, Korea. The last round of negotiations ended with a ballooned and unworkable treaty text, and no agreement to cut plastic production – the single most important part of the treaty. Nearly all plastics are made from fossil fuels like oil and gas, so the lobbyists from those industries were out in force at such discussions. There is an horrendous estimate that 749 million tonnes of plastic will be produced by 2050 (202 million more than in 2022).

On The Ground

On The Ground is a new interview series where we will take a look into the lives of Arran people. Voice Reporter met up for a blether with Carol Norton, resident of Lamlash and stalwart of Arran CVS, for the first one:

When I was set the task by the Voice to find interesting local people to interview, for part of a new series of articles on interesting local people, a neighbour, Carol Norton came immediately to mind.  Happily, she said yes and so I was invited to her cosy house in Lamlash for coffee.Mylo the dog entertained us with circles of the living room and lots of kisses until he was bundled upstairs and I asked Carol to introduce herself. What do you like best about Arran? You work for the Arran CVS? Do you think it was right, disbanding CAB services? When you say support, what does that look like? How do you handle the personal pressures? That was my next question. Who inspires you. How do you de-stress? Do you feel you are achieving your personal milestones on Arran? What’s your mantra?We have a big hug as I leave and I thank her. I feel edified and reminded of the important things.

Illegal Fishing Prosecution Undermines Scotland’s Marine Conservation Efforts

Following a recent incident involving illegal fishing activity in the Lamlash Bay No Take Zone, COAST issued the following press release last month:

Long-term Research Jeopardised

the protected water around Arran has become a renowned site for scientific research, providing invaluable data on how marine ecosystems recover in the absence or reduction of fishing pressure. The area serves as a model for community-led marine management across Scotland and beyond, offering insights into how similar protections might be implemented on a larger scale to restore Scotland’s seas.” For over a decade, Lamlash Bay has been a beacon of hope for marine conservation, and a natural laboratory for researchers studying ecosystem recovery," "Illegal fishing in this zone not only damages the physical and biological environment, but also distorts data that researchers rely on to monitor biodiversity, habitat recovery, and the effects of conservation measures. The long-term consequences of this disruption are profound and could set back years of scientific progress."

Inadequate enforcement

“Commercial fishing is prohibited in only 66 km2 of Scotland’s 90,400 km2 inshore waters. Lamlash Bay is the jewel in the crown of this tiny area. And if it can’t be adequately protected, then what hope is there for the rest of the seas?” “This instance undermines the Fixed Penalty Notice system by imposing an almost meaninglessly small penalty for a serious marine offence. This is not the first time this has happened. The Scottish Government needs to urgently review how penalties are calculated.”This illegal act makes a mockery out of other scallop divers and fishers who wholeheartedly support conservation measures for the marine environment“most of us whose livelihoods rely on the sea recognise the importance of protecting it and enforcement needs reform to ensure this is done. Scotland had a three-mile limit for nigh on a century; it is simple to understand and enforce, and my preference is the Scottish Government step up and reintroduce a modern version to protect our Inshore Waters

The Need for Vessel Monitoring Systems

“We congratulate the local community, fishery officers and procurator fiscal service who caught and successfully prosecuted this culprit. However, as has so often been the case, the penalty comes after extensive illegality, showing the Government still do not have the systems to ensure compliance in Scottish fisheries.” “Scottish Ministers spend tens of millions on fisheries compliance each year but focus on the wrong tools - such as £1.7m on two aircraft per year. The solution is to implement robust electronic monitoring systems across the different parts of the fishing fleet - something Scottish Ministers have promised since 2015, and ran a consultation on in 2023, but have yet to progress beyond a limited roll-out on scallop dredgers. It’s another case of Scottish Ministers failing to be able to deliver when it comes to ensuring healthy and prosperous seas.

Protecting Scotland’s Marine Future 

We need to treat our marine environments as the precious resources they are. History tells us what is possible, and Lamlash Bay’s success is living proof that protection works—but only if we enforce itFeatured Image shows the vessel skippered by the guilty party at the time of the offence occurring. Credit COAST.

Antarctic Krill, and Ocean Treaties

Environment, our Role and the Power of the big Players

Many individuals, ENGOS, the United Nations have worked over the last 50 years to protect Antarctica. However, in November 2024, a headline read “Very bad precedent: China and Russia team up to undermine krill fishing restrictions in Antarctica”. Working together to block new Antarctic marine parks and loosen krill fishing restrictions, undermining the international convention designed to protect the region from overexploitation. With the support of Russia, China used its veto rights at the meeting of the 26-nation Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Resources (CCAMLR) in Tasmania to prevent the renewal of an agreement restricting krill fishing. The two countries also blocked the declaration of four marine parks around the southern continent.

The Future of the Arran Bird Report

A note from the Arran Natural History Society:

We need help....

As a person living on Arran or visiting regularly with an interest in birds or natural history you are likely to be familiar with the Arran Bird Report. You may not know this but bird recording on Arran is much more than the production of this popular publication by the Arran Natural History Society.

Reports of bird sightings provided by residents, visitors, the local bird ringing team and the National Trust for Scotland rangers help to populate a spreadsheet. This collated information forms the basis of the annual Bird Report. Sightings from this spreadsheet which are not already on Birdtrack (a free purpose made phone app developed through partnership RSPB, BTO, SOC and others) are added to this national database thus creating a wider picture of bird migration and distribution. On a local basis bird sightings are also used to produce monthly articles for the Arran Banner and to alert people on the Arran Birding website of interesting recent bird sightings.

Arran’s Ancient Grains

In June the Voice for Arran we reported on The Arran Pioneer Project’s Ancient Grains venture. Here is an update from The Pioneer Project, and some photos of what happened next – a good crop by all accounts! Though not sure if there is enough yet for George’s loaf!  

In Spring we planted ancient grain seeds in various locations across the island as part of the Scotland The Bread “Soil to Slice” ancient grains project – they sent us Balcaskie Landrace wheat and Fultofta Evo Rye seeds.

Events in December

Arran Natural History Society meeting, Tuesday 3rd December, 7.30pm online

here arrannaturalhistorysociety@gmail.com

The Lamlash Drama Club Christmas Panto, Thursday 5th to Saturday 7th December, various times, Arran High School

Corrie Christmas Film Club, Sunday 8th December, 7pm, Corrie and Sannox Village Hall

Alice in Wonderland (1915, 52mins) Wicked Little Letters (2023, 15, Dir Thea Sharrock, 1h 40m)

Eco Savvy Festive Fair, Monday 9th December, 12:30pm - 5pm, Whiting Bay Village Hall

hereFeatured image by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Call for Recipes for Eco Savvy’s new cookbook

Five years ago we produced our first Eco Savvy community cookbook made with delicious recipes submitted by our volunteers, staff, and members of the Arran community. So now we are calling on all food lovers again!

This was a vegetarian collection featuring family recipes, ideas of how to use items from food share and looking at prolonging the shelf life of favourite foods as well as some desserts to round it all off. It came together in a 23 recipe PDF booklet which can be viewed on our website here.

Book review: Arran to Canada – One Way

Contributed by Voice Reporter

Although this book has adorned Arran bookshelves for a long time, a little bit of local history now, by itself, it deserves a closer  look. It sails through the centuries giving us a sense of connection with the islanders of the past. It’s full of those names familiar still on the island, and its title hides its breadth…  much more in there than ‘Arran To Canada - One Way.'

It jumps right in, explaining from the beginning the well thought out intricacies of the run rig system, and the misinformed opinion the ruling class had of the islanders and their simple way of life.  It points out the first winters in Lac Joseph were survived largely because of the friendly mutual respect shown between the settlers and the Abenaki people, which ended, largely, in sad sickness and betrayal.

Poem for December

I Walked Through the Medieval Town
I walked through the medieval town
in the evening or at dawn,
I was very young or rather old.
I didn't have a watch
or a calendar, only my stubborn blood
measured the endless expanse.
I could begin life, mine
or not mine, over,
everything seemed easy,
apartment windows were partway open,
other fates ajar.
It was spring or early summer,
warm walls,
air soft as an orange rind;
I was very young or rather old,
I could choose, I could live.