Campaign Collective is supporting a new campaign, launched today, calling for Scotland to declare itself the world’s first rewilding nation.
The Rewilding Nation Charter is urging people from all walks of life to sign and ask the Scottish Government to commit to nature recovery across 30% of land and sea.
Scotland is currently one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, coming in at 212 out of 240 countries and territories for the state of its nature. In addition, 11% of its species face extinction.
“Climate breakdown and nature loss mean we face an unprecedented threat to our way of life and our children’s future. But it’s not too late. Scotland can lead the way as a Rewilding Nation to benefit nature, climate and people,” said Steve Micklewright, The Scottish Rewilding Alliance Convenor and Chief Executive of Trees for Life.
The campaign includes a new feature-length film called Why Not Scotland?, which explores how rewilding could happen on a bigger scale in the country. The documentary will be shown through the eyes of Flo Blackbourn, a young Scot from Glasgow, who sets out on a personal journey to find inspiring examples of major nature recovery around Europe.
Flo, 27, said: “My journey to see how rewilding can help nature and people thrive together was life-changing and such a source of hope. Like many young people, I’m worried about the uncertain future we all face with climate breakdown and nature loss – but life can bounce back if we give it a chance, and work with nature instead of against it.”
The documentary will be shown on a nationwide screening tour including Oban, Peebles, Dundee, and Inverness, following an Edinburgh premiere.
Campaign Collective will initially help the organisers of the campaign to develop more plans to spread the word about the Charter to a diverse range of communities. Collective members, including Ian Morton and Delia Antoine Burdett, will complement the existing team and partner groups working on the campaign.
For more information, visit www.rewild.scot.
