Douglas Ireland

Tag: climate change

  • Let Scotland Go: A Kindness to Both Nations

    Well, this isn’t how I planned to spend my evening. I’m writing this from a hospital bed, thanks to a sudden issue with my right eye. It’s nothing serious, but it does mean I’m stuck here overnight. No access to my VPS terminal, no proper keyboard, just me, my thoughts, and a surprisingly comfortable NHS bed. And since I’ve got time to kill, I might as well write. Again.

    First off, let’s talk about the NHS. It’s not perfect, but it’s a bloody marvel. Free at the point of use, staffed by people who actually care, and despite years of underfunding and mismanagement, still managing to keep people alive and relatively well. I’m grateful for it. We all should be. So, if you’re reading this and you’re English, remember that the next time someone tries to tell you Scotland’s better off without independence. The NHS is one of the best arguments for why the UK should work. But it’s also a reminder of how badly Westminster can mess things up when it wants to.

    Right, now that’s out of the way, let’s get to the point. Why should the English support Scottish independence? I’m English myself, by the way. Grew up near Manchester, moved to Scotland ten years ago. And I’ve always believed in independence for Scotland. Not because I don’t like being English, but because I think it’s the right thing to do. So, let’s break it down.

    Democracy Actually Working

    Scotland votes one way. England votes another. And yet, Scotland gets dragged along with whatever England wants. That’s not democracy, is it? It’s like being in a flat share where one person always picks the TV programme, even when everyone else wants to watch something different. At some point, you’ve got to ask why you’re even sharing a flat.

    Scottish independence isn’t about nationalism in the flag-waving, chest-thumping sense. It’s about having a government that actually reflects the people it serves. Scotland’s more left-leaning. It’s more progressive on social issues. It’s greener. And yet, it’s stuck with a Westminster government that doesn’t give a toss about any of that. So, if you’re English and you believe in democracy, you should support Scotland’s right to choose its own path.

    A Greener Future

    Scotland’s got ambitious climate targets. It’s investing in renewables like it’s going out of fashion (which, let’s be honest, fossil fuels should be). But Westminster’s dragging its feet. More runways, more roads, more North Sea oil. It’s like trying to run a marathon with someone tying your shoelaces together.

    An independent Scotland could set its own environmental policies. It could push harder for wind, wave, and tidal energy. It could show the rest of the UK what a proper green transition looks like. And if you’re English and you care about the planet, wouldn’t you want that?

    Brexit (Yes, Still)

    Let’s not pretend Brexit’s going well. It’s not. Scotland voted to stay in the EU. It got dragged out anyway. And now it’s stuck with the economic fallout, the trade barriers, the whole mess. Independence would give Scotland the chance to rejoin the EU. To rebuild those trade links. To be part of a bigger, cooperative project again.

    If you’re English and you’re still clinging to the idea that Brexit was a good thing, fine. But if you’re one of the many who’ve spent the last few years watching in horror as the economy tanks and the government flails, why wouldn’t you want Scotland to have a way out?

    A Left-Wing Alternative

    Scotland’s politics are different. The SNP’s not perfect, but it’s miles ahead of Westminster on social issues, welfare, and public services. Labour’s resurgence in England? Great. But Scotland’s already got a left-leaning government. It’s just being held back by Westminster.

    An independent Scotland could be a proper left-wing alternative. It could show that another way is possible. Higher taxes for the rich, proper investment in public services, a real commitment to reducing inequality. If you’re English and you’re sick of the same old Westminster politics, wouldn’t you want to see that happen?

    It’s Not About Separation, It’s About Choice

    This is the big one. Supporting Scottish independence isn’t about wanting to break up the UK for the sake of it. It’s about recognising that Scotland should have the choice. That it should be able to decide its own future. And if you believe in self-determination, in the right of people to govern themselves, then you should support that.

    And here’s the thing: it’s not like Scotland and England would become enemies. We’d still be neighbours. We’d still trade, still cooperate, still share a history. But Scotland would finally have the chance to build the kind of country it wants to be.

    So, What Now?

    If you’re English and you’re reading this, think about it. Scottish independence isn’t a threat. It’s an opportunity. For Scotland, yes, but for England too. It’s a chance to rethink what the UK is, what it could be. To move away from this centralised, London-dominated mess and towards something better.

    And if you’re Scottish? Well, keep pushing. Keep making the case. Because independence isn’t just about nationalism. It’s about building a fairer, greener, more democratic country. And who wouldn’t want that?

    (Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to try and get some sleep in this very bright, very noisy hospital ward.)

  • Heat, Rain, and Uncertainty: Scotland’s New Climate Reality

    It’s 26 °C in Paisley, and that’s no anomaly. Scotland is heating up, and what once felt like a rare summer treat is now creeping into the forecast more and more.

    1. From Temperate to Toasty
    Our recent decade, from 2010 to 2019, was about 0.7 °C hotter than the historical average. All of Scotland’s ten warmest years have happened since 1997. Climate projections suggest that by the middle of the century, Scottish summers could be 3 to 4 °C warmer than what we used to call normal. (source)

    2. Weather on Overdrive
    We’re seeing more heatwaves, like July 12 when the mercury hit 32.2 °C in parts of the west.(source) At the same time, weather patterns are shifting. Winters are getting wetter, and summers are bouncing between drought and sudden downpours. (source) It’s less predictable, and more extreme.

    3. High Stakes for Health and Nature
    Heat-related deaths in Scotland are expected to rise, with numbers potentially tripling by 2050. Wildfire risk is up, and Scotland has already seen dozens of incidents this year alone. Meanwhile, our rivers are warming too. Salmon are struggling to survive in water that’s too hot, and conservation projects are scrambling to cool things down, like planting trees along riverbanks for shade. (source)

    4. Scotland’s Climate Challenge
    Scotland is doing well on clean energy. We already generate more electricity from renewables than we use. The target is to reach net-zero emissions by 2045. (source) But clean energy isn’t enough on its own. We also need to adapt. That means making buildings easier to cool, managing our water better, and planting more greenery in towns and cities. It’ll take serious investment and smart decisions.

    Scorching days in Paisley aren’t seasonal glitches. They’re part of a bigger shift in our climate. The good news is we still have a say in what happens next. By acting now, through policy, infrastructure, and daily choices, we can make sure Scotland is ready for whatever the weather brings.