COP26 Special: The Scottish Beacon
The Scottish Beacon brings together articles from independently published public interest journalism platforms from across Scotland.
This first issue of the Scottish Beacon, published to coincide with COP26. We wanted to make sure that voices of communities from all around Scotland were part of the conversation here in Glasgow. It features articles from Greater Govanhill, the Lochside Press, Shetland News, The Ileach, The Clydesider, The Edinburgh Reporter, The Ferret and the West Highlands Free Press.
What’s in this issue?
Young People’s Hopes for the COP Legacy
Orkney at a Crossroads of Change: the environmental impact of mass tourism
What are Scotland’s Climate Targets?
An Act of Resistance: community climate action in Govanhill
Social Housing Failing to Meet Government Standards for energy efficiency
The Environmental Cost of Windfarms on Shetland’s peat bogs
A Low Emission Zone for Edinburgh
Shore Has Potential: community litter picking in West Dunbartonshire
For Peat’s Sake: the role of Scotland’s whisky industry
Stand Up to Racism at COP26: climate justice is migrant justice
Scotland’s Climate Assembly: government urged to listen to its people
Our Land Is the Greatest Weapon Against Global Warming: if we work with it not against it
Five Ways to Stay Positive: in the face of the climate crisis
Why we created this collaborative publication
Just like our climate, journalism is at a crisis point.
Old models based on commercial advertising are no longer viable in today’s digital age. News publishers compete with sophisticated algorithms for the attention of their audiences. Polarising rhetoric dominates the conversation, driving wedges into communities. ‘News deserts’ expand as local titles dissolve or get swallowed up by media conglomerates. All but one of Scotland’s national newspapers are owned by companies based in other countries. The gulf between the people who produce the news and those who consume it is growing.
But journalism is a core component of any functioning democracy. Locally-produced public interest journalism is needed more than ever.
As an industry, we need to rebuild trust in the media. The only way to achieve this is through actually listening to our audiences. We need to work to create a more diverse media that is more representative of the communities it serves. We need to break down the barriers, tear up the rule books and find a more inclusive way of doing journalism. We need to do better.
The climate crisis has shown us just how important it is to work collectively to take on the biggest challenge of our age, putting pressure on those who wield power to bring about meaningful transformation. The media has a vital role to play.
That’s why, with this special publication, we wanted to try something collaborative – bringing together stories of people from all over Scotland, to discuss the challenges we face. All eyes may be on Glasgow for COP26, but the whole of Scotland will feel the impact of decisions made.
Let’s find a new path forward, and let’s do it together.
Rhiannon J Davies, Founder/Editor of Greater Govanhill CIC
To become a member of Greater Govanhill and support the magazine, visit greatergovanhill.com/members
Credits
Edited by Rhiannon J Davies and Sam Doak
Creative Director Laura Hurst
Cover Design Laura Hurst
Words by Angela Clark, Brian Palmer, Chinyanta Kabaso, Clare Harris, Donald Campbell, Dylan Lombard, Ferret Journalists, Fiona Grahame, Fraser Stewart, Hans J Marter, Jen Stout, Julian Calvert, Kirsty Watt, Phyllis Stephen, Rahela Cirpaci, Raymie Kiernan, Rebecca Menzies, Rhiannon J Davies, Sehar Mehmood, Yvonne Blake
Featuring the photography of Alexander Hanssen, Brian Palmer, Brian Watson, Chris Watt, Cove Park, Eugene Daniels, Kate Holford, Martin Laird, Friends of Dumbarton Foreshore, Shetland News, Stand Up To Racism Glasgow
Illustrations by Laura Hurst, Suzie Cichy
Printed by Gladstone Media Ltd
This magazine has been made possible with support from the Andrew Wainwright Reform Trust Ltd and the Lankelly Chase Foundation. Additional thanks go to the Public Interest News Foundation.