Protect the environment to protect ourselves from pandemics - Andy Wightman

So-called zoonotic viruses like this are becoming more common and one major cause is destruction of the natural environment. As a United Nations report in July pointed out, “the science is clear that if we keep exploiting wildlife and destroying our ecosystems, then we can expect to see a steady stream of these diseases jumping from animals to humans in the years ahead”.

Tackling the climate crisis is made that much harder by having to fight a global pandemic at the same time but the root cause is the same. So long as we continue to trash the planet, exploit and destroy natural systems and encroach more heavily on wildlife habitats, then disease and degradation will follow.

Just before Christmas, a London Coroner ruled that toxic air was a cause of the death of nine-year old Ella Kissi-Debrah. During her short life, nitrogen dioxide levels exceeded both EU and UK legal limits and particulate matter was in excess of World Health Organisation guidelines. In my walk to work over the past month I have tasted the fumes and toxic air on cold still days. Limits of toxic air are regularly exceeded in Edinburgh. We know that over 2500 people die annually in Scotland from air pollution. Edinburgh’s low emission zone can’t come quick enough.

As readers know, I have been campaigning for tighter controls over short-term lets across the City for three years now. At long last, regulations have been introduced to Parliament that will give Councils the powers to licence operators and allow planning authorities to designate short-term let control areas. These measures will be hugely helpful in regulating the extent and impacts of the thousands of illegal short-term lets across the City.

But it is vital that the Council is given the freedom to implement the scheme in a way that is appropriate for Edinburgh and to be accountable to residents in the City. It is therefore regrettable that the Scottish Government has proposed that Ministers must approve a short-term let control area before it can be established.

This is a wholly inappropriate measure. Edinburgh Council as planning authority for the city is best placed to assess whether and to what extent to establish such zones and they should be free to do so without interference from the government. In January, Parliament will be asked to approve these regulations. Unless this provision is removed, I will be voting against them.

With all of Scotland in Level 4 restrictions, it is vital that everyone minimises meeting other people indoors. Don’t visit other households, don’t undertake any journeys that are not essential, wear face-coverings and keep 2 metres away from other people.

It’s been a tough year and so let 2021 be the year in which we eventually defeat this virus and get back to enjoying the company of friends and family. Happy New Year.

Andy Wightman is Independent MSP for Lothian Region