The Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics 2021 will run from Wednesday 20th to Sunday 24th of October.

Climate change will be the focus for speakers who include author and environmentalist George Monbiot.

Taking place on: Saturday 23 October between 2pm-3pm online is : Scottish Islands on the front line of climate emergency | Scottish Parliament Festival of Politics Website.

This event chaired by Deputy Presiding Officer, Liam McArthur includes: Dr Sandy Kerr, Camille Dressler and Claire Ferguson.

Dr Sandy Kerr. Sandy is Programme Director at Heriot Watt International Centre for Island Technology in Orkney, and responsible for all MSc’s taught here, and while ICIT has a wide-remit of academic study, my personal research interests lie in marine planning, the use of sea space and community benefits from renewable projects. I completed my PhD in the sustainability of small islands, and renewable energy makes sense for these communities, rather than relying on diesel generators. So I was considering the potential of marine renewables very early on, before the bigger political drive around climate change started.

Camille Dressler. My interest in politics started when I got involved in the Eigg Community buy-out, leading me to become a community councillor and network with other islands in Scotland and Europe, serving as chair for both the Scottish Islands and the European Small Islands Federations. Through the Clean Energy for EU Islands Initiative and the National Island Plan consultation, I gained a real insight in the power of island communities. Today, with the islands all over Europe at the forefront of the Clean Energy transition agenda, I can be part of the action addressing our biggest challenge ever.

Claire Ferguson, Team Leader, Shetland Council Climate Change Strategy

Information about the full Festival of Politics programme can be found at www.festivalofpolitics.scot