Why do we trash Mother Nature? – Hayley Matthews

I know it has recently been written about, and spoken about and moaned about, however, I still genuinely get a huge sense of shock when I see the complete disregard some of us humans have for the planet, and it seems to have been happening even more so over the past few weeks.

Since easing up on the lockdown, we seem to have gone a bit mad and thrown all caution to the wind when it comes to any sort of respect, caring or responsibility for Mother Nature and her planet.

With the scenes at the Meadows, which almost looked like a jumble sale, shocking many people, I feel like I’ve almost become de-sensitised to the sight of bundles of bags and empty beer bottles scattered in amongst nature’s finest greenery.

Just a few days ago I was reading how a group of 20 people had been charged after leaving something like 19 bags of rubbish at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. This, people, is UNNACEPTABLE! Take it home for goodness sake, anything, anything please but leaving it at your feet.

I interviewed a ranger last year up at the national park for Zero Waste Scotland about the glass pollution problem.

And it really is a massive problem. If I asked you to imagine cleaning up a shattered bottle of glass in your living room, then I’m sure you could handle it.

Now imagine cleaning up that same glass bottle out on the shore of a pebble beach, or gritty path. See the issue? It’s almost impossible and it’s not just one bottle – its loads. The danger to wildlife, children and eco-systems is unimaginable. So please spread the word down to Cramond Beach, Porty, the Meadows and everywhere in between. Our planet is one to be cherished, not trashed!

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