- The RSPB will bring birdsong to thousands of people around Scotland and the rest of UK on Thursday 17 October
- Following a surprise top 20 music track earlier this year the charity is again using birdsong to raise awareness of the decline seen in wildlife
- New figures reveal that for adults in Scotland addressing climate change and the environment was among the top issues for today’s politicians.
- The statistics also reflect increasing concern for the natural world.
On Thursday 17 October thousands of people across Scotland will hear stunning birdsong in over 150 locations including the stunning Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfries and Galloway. This chorus will be added to with community organised events where people will come together to listen to birdsong with their friends and family and enjoy the relaxing sounds of our nature.
RSPB Scotland and its supporters will be playing birdsong across the country to highlight the declines in wildlife, as the public call on the Government to address climate change and the environment as its legacy for future generations. Following May’s surprise number 2 hit in the Scottish charts, Let Nature Sing, a music track of pure birdsong, the charity is hoping to once again bring birdsong back into everyone’s life as a reminder of what we all stand to lose if the crisis facing nature is not addressed.
New research from the RSPB has revealed that people in Scotland felt addressing climate change and the environment was one of the most important issues for today’s politicians looking to secure the long-term legacy of their Government. When respondents were asked to choose the top three issues, across all adults surveyed in Scotland, climate change and the environment (42%) polled ahead of our future relationship with the EU (37%) as a long-term legacy issue for politicians to address, coming second just behind health (45%).
And more people are waking up to the crisis facing nature. When asked how they would describe the health of nature in the UK, almost six out of ten (57%) of respondents from Scotland felt nature was not doing well or in crisis in the UK, with less than a third (27%) believing nature was doing well or thriving. These statistics highlight the growing public understanding of the crisis facing nature.
Anne McCall, RSPB Scotland Director, said: “In spring, our Let Nature Sing track of pure birdsong encouraged the public to reflect on what birdsong means to them and highlighted the shocking declines we have seen over the last few decades. Since then we have seen further international, UK and Scottish reports underlining the threats to our natural world. Accompanying this compelling evidence base we have also seen increasingly passionate calls from the public to do more for our environment. It is clear that we must take action now to address both the climate and biodiversity emergencies.”
During the RSPB’s Let Nature Sing sound takeover, birdsong will be played in across the Scotland in offices and public places. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Let Nature Sing sound takeovers, hosting their own event or how to listen for free to RSPB’s birdsong radio should visit www.rspb.org.uk/letnaturesing
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