ENVIRONMENTAL movement Extinction Rebellion is to take action across the country tomorrow as part of a Scotland-wide wildlife and land reform rebellion.
The group said the demonstrations in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow will particularly focus on threats to Scottish wildlife as a result of grouse shooting.
It points to the fact that grouse moors take up a large fraction of the country’s land area, doing so while contributing to employment on a smaller scale in comparison.
Extinction Rebellion also highlights that many of these moors overlie peat moorlands and claims that grouse-shooting parties regularly arrive in private jets at airports to take part in the activity.
And it cites a recent report by Revive, a coalition for grouse moor reform, which estimates that up to 260,000 animals are killed every year on the moors.
Dundee’s action will see a “die-in” take place in City Square, while Edinburgh’s group is staging a procession and rally.
In Glasgow Green, activists are set to play a series of “wildlife-themed” games with a serious message.
READ MORE: WATCH: Campaigners launch spoof 'Dragon's Den' clip ridiculing grouse shooting
Robbie Kelly, a professional copyeditor active with Extinction Rebellion in Dundee, said: “At a time when one in nine species are threatened with extinction in Scotland, it is appalling that Scottish grouse moors continue to massacre up to 260,000 animals every year.
“Equally shocking is their practice of systematic burning of moorland, which threatens Scotland’s unique peatlands and the vast amounts of carbon dioxide locked up within them.
“We urgently need to regulate this shockingly damaging land use and move towards alternatives which would be better not only for Scotland’s wildlife and environment but for our economy too.”
A spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion Scotland said: “We have been meticulous in ensuring that all of our members, particularly those taking part in public-facing actions, have been provided with clear guidance on how to take part safely during this time.
“We absolutely understand the seriousness of this pandemic, but at the same time, continuous failure to act decisively on climate change is endangering our entire planet and all life on it. We have no choice but to take action.”
Social distancing is to be used at all events, while travelling long distances has been discouraged in favour of local action.
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