Over exploitation

The unsustainable use of natural resources remains a threat to global biodiversity . 

Unchecked, overexploitation can lead to environmental catastrophies with far reaching consequences. Perhaps the best know was the 'dust bowl' in the American mid-west in the 1930s.

We are using Scotland's natural resources more sustainably than twenty years ago: 

• commercial peat extraction has all but ceased 
• soil conservation measures are normal agricultural practice 
• some commercial fish stocks are showings signs of improvement.

However, the impacts are still apparent on some commercially exploited fish stocks - Scotland's Biodiversity Indicators assessed 55% of commercial fin fish stocks to be at full reproductive capacity in 2007.

Global impacts

Scotland's ecological footprint  extends far beyond our shores.  Much of the goods we consume in Western Europe originate in developping countries where overexploitation of resources affects the environment.

We need to reduce both the local and global impacts of our consumption and production.

Sustainable use of resources is a part of the Scottish Goverment's Greener Scotland  objective.