Of Archimedes Screws
An exciting new renewable energy project at Edinburgh’s Saughton Park nods to the past and signposts the future, says Gavin Corbett It was one of Edinburgh’s council planners who spotted it. At a workshop to look at the supply of and demand for light industrial workspace he showed a map of current premises with a…
A sporting chance for all
Gavin Corbett welcomes commitment to improve the condition of sports pitches in the capital but argues that more needs done to increase pitch availability and address costs. There is nothing quite like a December Sunday morning pitch-side in Gorebridge, as the wind drives in from the north-east, to sharpen the appreciation of the countless hours…
The Edinburgh Sick Kids Debacle
The public interest, not private shareholders, needs to drive hospital design says Alison Johnstone. I, like many others, was dismayed to learn last Wednesday that the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People will not be open until next year. Like everyone else, my first question was how could this happen? How could it…
Climate strikes: actions and words
Edinburgh’s treatment of school climate strikers shows actions out of step with words, argues Steve Burgess. This week Edinburgh has been rolling out the red carpet for the filming of Vin Diesel’s latest Hollywood car-chase blockbuster ‘Fast and Furious’. Main streets in the City centre are closed, bringing traffic jams, bus route diversions and even…
Stopping the Amazon burning
The footage of thousands of fires burning across the rainforests of Brazil and neighbouring countries has been distressing on so many levels, argues Alison Johnstone. Not only is this incredible place the home of up to a million indigenous people and millions of plant and animal species, it is also responsible for around a fifth…
Making Eco-tourism real
What does it mean for Edinburgh to embrace “sustainable” tourism, asks Claire Miller.
Managing weeds
It’s time to get out of spraying weeds with herbicides, argues Alison Johnstone. Edinburgh City Council has just completed consultation on its Low Emission Zone proposals, with the aim of tackling air pollution in the capital. While there have been criticisms of the proposals, with some campaigners arguing that they do not go far enough…
Leadership in a climate emergency
Edinburgh’s Green councillor group has elected two new co-convenors for the year ahead: Melanie Main and Alex Staniforth reflect on what matters in political leadership. Leadership is much in the headlines at the moment with the pantomime that is the selection of the UK’s next prime minister. Whoever becomes the next Conservative Party leader, he…
Listening to young people on the climate emergency
Young people are right to demand action on climate breakdown, says Mary Campbell.
Bridge8 hub: canal social enterprise
Edinburgh’s Canal Champion, Gavin Corbett, profiles Bridge8 hub, a social enterprise operating on the Union Canal. First opened in 1822, the Union Canal winds its way from Tollcross to the Falkirk Wheel. It is Scotland’s only contour canal, following the 73m contour line along its 31 mile length. Just before the canal crosses the city…
Education committee: pupils, parents and churches
It’s time to hear more voices on council education committees, says Mary Campbell.
Scotland at the heart of Europe
Chas Booth looks ahead to the European elections on 23 May.
European Election 2019: making it count
Green councillor Melanie Main argues that European elections should be an investment for the long term. On 23 May voters here in Edinburgh, and elsewhere in the UK, will almost certainly go to the polls to elect 6 MEPs to represent Scotland in the European Parliament. Since the UK remains in the EU and will…
Tory Carbon myths
Tory claims about their performance on carbon emissions need to be taken with a pinch of salt argues Steve Burgess. Over the last few weeks it appears that Tory politicians are being instructed by Party HQ to go on the attack over climate breakdown. Cue the issuing of standard images and graphs showing UK carbon…
From Antarctica to Leith Walk
Lorna Slater explains why a trip to Antarctica has given her extra determination to tackle climate change back home.
Vote for the Planet
Lorna Slater, Green candidate in the Leith Walk ward by-election, on why we need Greens in government at all levels.
Leith Walk: the greenest ward in Scotland?
Green by-election candidate Lorna Slater highlights her top 10 favourite things about Leith Walk and the surrounding area. I’ve lived in Leith Walk Ward for more than 10 years, and I hope to live here for as long as I can still climb my tenement stairs. Here are my favourite things about the area: 1)…
Completing the tram to Newhaven
Edinburgh City Council this week decides whether or not to complete the Edinburgh tram line to Newhaven. Transport spokesperson Cllr Chas Booth explains why Green councillors will support the project.
Backing climate strikes
Green councillor Mary Campbell today secured a commitment from City of Edinburgh Council to respect and engage positively with school students taking part in climate strikes. She explains why.
Green council budget: good for Edinburgh; good for our future
Green councillors Claire Miller and Gavin Corbett explain why they have given priority to new schools, social care, homelessness and the climate emergency in a Green budget which is good for Edinburgh’s future. This week the council sets its budget for the year ahead (2019-20) as well as making some commitments for the years after…
Workplace parking levy: traffic, congestion and climate change
Gavin Corbett explains why he is angry about the workplace parking levy “debate”. In a meeting of the city council last week councillors of all parties, including the Tories, backed a Green motion on the climate emergency. The world authority on climate change, the IPCC, has said we have 12 years to make transformative change…
Putting mental health first
Mental ill health must be treated in safe familiar surroundings where and when it is needed says Melanie Main. A woman with a long history of mental health problems that severely affected her work and relationships throughout her life, recently returned to full time work and now runs a support group for others with mental…
Boatels!
Should “boatels” be part of the Union Canal strategy, asks Gavin Corbett. How quickly words come from nowhere. Two weeks ago I’d barely heard the word “boatel” (or “hotel boat” if you prefer). But since then, there has been a flurry of attention following the submission of a planning application for 5 such hotel boats…
Traffic Orders or Traffic Bureaucracy?
All councillors should be getting behind efforts to streamline the process for traffic orders, says Melanie Main. Right across Edinburgh residents are emailing their councillors about road and street improvements that have been outstanding for years. Simple requests, minor improvements, badly needed fixes that most people agree are needed. The picture here is of a…
South East Local Events Fund – application deadline 21 January 2019
£20,000 has been allocated through Edinburgh Council’s Neighbourhood Partnerships to the South East Locality for the promotion of local cultural and artistic events to take place in 2019, and applications between a minimum of £2,500 and maximum £5,000 will be considered. The fund aims to stimulate and support artistic and cultural activity that benefit audiences…
ASDA Chesser: recycling
Gavin Corbett takes supermarket giant ASDA to task over recycling and asks customers to sign petition. Most of us use supermarkets from time to time. I know I do. Much as I shop whenever I can at local and independent shops, there are times when the supermarket wins out. Within a mile of me there are…
The future of welfare
The future of welfare: Universal Credit or Citizens Basic Income? asks Susan Rae.
Planning Edinburgh’s future
The “City Plan 2030” matters for Edinburgh’s future, argues Chas Booth. The planning process can sometimes be dull but, as a recent furore over the loss of trees in Princes Street gardens shows, it can occasionally raise considerable public anger. Most often, the anger erupts when the planning process gets decisions wrong. So how do…
Brexit, people’s vote and Scotland’s capital
Today in full council Chas Booth spoke in a debate about Brexit, a people’s vote, and the impact on EU citizens in Edinburgh. The text of what he said is below. One of the biggest assets of our capital city is the people who live here. Edinburgh’s people are what make our city. And nearly…
Celebrating the Water of Leith Trust
It’s impossible to imagine Edinburgh’s main river without the Water of Leith Conservation Trust says Gavin Corbett. Part of the job of a politician, even those of us at the bottom rung of the ladder, is to enthuse. It’s to champion people, projects and organisations who combine to make the world a better place. In…