It's almost time for Conscious Change's annual Zero Chill club night (if you haven't booked a ticket yet, there's still time to grab one here!).
While you're sorting your best second-hand clubbing attire, here's a look at the charities our night will be in aid of.
Continuing from previous years, we've chosen to support charities which have both an international network of environmental projects, and a strong focus on Scotland-specific action taking place. For this reason, Friends of the Earth and Plantlife are our chosen charities, which money from ticket sales and donations being split between these two fantastic organisations.
Friends of the Earth, Scotland.
Sustainability involves social and economic issues, as well as the environment, and Friends of the Earth has a long history of addressing all these aspects in their work.
Recently, the Scottish branch has been involved in the Low Emission Zone being introduced in Glasgow which will dramatically decrease traffic pollution in the city centre to improve air quality.
How does this relate to us in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh, like many other Scottish cities, will be introducing its own LEZ in 2024, and Friends of the Earth’s role in the existing Glasgow scheme will be vital for demonstrating how such action (supported by charities and civil society groups) can produce both health and environmental effects on city goers.
Cross-pollination of environmental activist groups is key to success, and Friends of the Earth has been involved in action with Stop Rosebank and other project-specific groups to boost protesting numbers. You can read here about their recent action outside Equinor headquarters in Aberdeen, opposing plans for a new oil field in the North sea.
Plantlife, Scotland.
Biodiversity is perhaps the most overlooked environmental issue we face. With species in rapid, irreversible decline, it’s vital more is done to protect native species and their habitats from destruction and pollution.
The Scottish branch of Plantlife is particularly concerned with the protection of species and habitats unique to Scotland. Their work focusses on both campaigning and on the ground conservation work. Their ongoing work in the Caingorms national park seeks to protect the ancient Caledonian pinewoods. Plantlife also take a holistic approach to biodiversity, seeking not just to protect the well known species in the region, but also less-known wildflowers.
In researching the charity, it’s been fantastic to learn about quite how diverse the Scottish countryside is.
As well as direct work in the field, Plantlife regularly petitions the Scottish government to support biodiverity protecting schemes, such as a plan to financially support and incentivise farmers to implement their own measures. Giving this support to farmers and other individuals who are invested in the land is vital for sustainable, practical measures which protect both the interests of farmers and wildlife.
Holly Derrett, 8th March 2023