Weathering the Storm

New ways forward, to cope with the current threefold crisis, have been the theme of a series of lunchtime talks at Horizon Scotland, the innovation centre by Forres in Moray.

The series is entitled Weathering the Storm. Its aim is to highlight the potential for Scotland and the north to find a way out of the present global crisis – but only if we act now.

The series has been organised by the Moray & Highland Branch of the British Science Association, in collaboration with Horizon Scotland and Going Nova.

There have been talks on new approches to resources and economics, to building eco-homes, to the potential of the food sector, and to the opportunity for a creative approach to developing radically new technologies.

The series has been well-attended, stimulating much discussion and follow-up ideas amongst those who were there.

The series was opened on Thursday 26 February by Howie Firth, setting the scene and developing scenarios for the years ahead. He also outlined a 10-point plan for more immediate action for Scotland generally, and for Moray and Highland in particular. It includes action in energy (generating it and saving it), housing, transport, waste management and food.

We have an outline of this talk, Through the Bottleneck. Its title comes from the biologist Edward O. Wilson:

'Science and technology, combined with a lack of self-understanding and a Palaeolithic obstinacy, brought us to where we are today. Now science and technology, combined with foresight and moral courage, must see us through the bottleneck and out.'

Other speakers have included:

• Su Gillies, of the the Dingwall-based company Gillies Fine Foods
• Liz Ashworth, food writer and food product developer
• Bill Graham, former Technical Director of the TI Group Research Laboratories
• Jane King of the Resource Use Institute
• David Newman of the Cromarty-based company Plexus Media

All the talks were followed by refreshments, thanks to the kind support of Horizon Scotland and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.

We are putting together summaries of all the talks in the series, to be available on this site.