Welcome to The Network

Welcome to June’s edition of the Network and thanks for inviting me to be Guest Editor this month, for an issue focussing on sustainability and resource use.

We’re all aware that the eyes of the world will be focussed on Scotland in the next month as the leaders of the G8 meet in Gleneagles. The G8 Summit is about two things, poverty and climate change, both inextricably linked. The many activities taking place across Scotland around the G8 show that development aid agencies and environmental agencies are increasingly working together on projects to achieve sustainable development.

Children and young people from the UK and across the world are also being given a chance to get their say during the G8 through some interesting initiatives, such as the J8 Summit, the Schools Speakers Competition and the C8 Children’s Forum. As global citizens we all have a role in shaping the world and leaving a positive legacy for future generations. These projects give young people a chance to tell the most powerful leaders in the world how they can change it for the better. 

This is an important time for all of us working towards a Sustainable Scotland too, as the Scottish Executive is in the process of developing a new Scottish sustainable development strategy by the autumn. It will focus on key priorities for everyone with six main themes that resonate both locally and globally. This is a chance for all of us to have our say on the critical things that need to happen in Scotland to deliver a sustainable future.

There are many inspiring activities across the globe helping to reduce our footprint on the planet. In this issue we hear about the Trash Palace developed by Helen Schafer, a Zero Waste Coordinator in New Zealand. Also, as part of the Scotland’s Global Footprint project, a partnership between WWF Scotland, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and North Lanarkshire Councils, schools are taking action to reduce the footprint of their school. Lots of ideas from across the world will be needed if we’re going to achieve EU landfill reduction targets for municipal waste by 2010.

This edition is also packed with news, updates, feedback from events, resources and information as well as updates from all the areas keeping you up-to-date with what's happening locally.

The next edition of the Network News will have a Back to School, Back to Basics theme, focusing on formal education in schools and universities, so please get in touch with details of what's happening near you.

Betsy

Betsy King
WWF Scotland