09 September 2010

As someone almost said there are lies, damned lies and Key Scottish Environment Statistics (essential for sustainable development). The last of these are not of course lies, damned or otherwise, but a useful Scottish Government compendium of information on a wide range of environmental topics, with an emphasis on trends over time. This is the tenth edition (and the first sadly to be available web-only) of this extremely useful, formerly pocket-sized (but now of no size at all in its digital manifestation) publication.

There are ten sections with several topics covered under each heading. There’s some explanatory text to go with the figures and charts. I’ve listed here these ten sections, with one topic from each, to give you an idea of the range. “Our aim is to produce a user-friendly and useful publication” – that is what the compilers say and I would not argue with them. It is indeed user-friendly … etc.

• Background: Population and households: 1991-2033.
• Public Attitudes: Agreement or disagreement with statements about climate change and the environment: 2008.
• Global Atmosphere: Greenhouse gas emissions by source: 1990-2008.
• Air Quality: Sensitive habitats affected by air pollution: 1995-1997 – 2006-2008.
• Water: Drinking water quality: 1991-2009.
• Marine: Selected commercial fish stocks: 1960s – 2010.
• Radioactivity: Activity concentrations in milk: 1966-2009.
• Waste: Waste recycling behaviour: 2000–2009.
• Land: Derelict and urban vacant land: 2002-2009.
• Biodiversity: Status of wild bird populations: 1975-2009.

However, as I mentioned, this is the first year of web—only publication and I think that is a bad thing, especially for a publication that is meant to be for consumption by the general public. For several years I picked up the little booklet in my local library, and kept it until the next one was available – after flicking through it I would then refer to it if I wanted easy and understandable access to the topics covered. Now it has become less accessible. If I want the information which is contained within I will probably Google for it, and I certainly will not browse through the whole booklet like I used to do. (OK I have done just that for the on-line version, but that was not for myself, dear reader, it was entirely for you benefit, instruction and information.  For that is the kind of selfless person I am). The subject of web versus print, their advantages and disadvantages, what’s suitable for web-only and what should be in print, is one for longer treatment on another day. Let me just recapitulate, the decision to publish this useful compendium of environmental facts and some projections web-only is a retrograde step.

As I said, it is both interesting and useful. And if you wish to check for yourself Key Scottish Environment Statistics 2010, click here for text version, or click here for pdf version (it should download automatically when you click).

For a discussion of who might have first said, “there are lies, damned lies, and statistics”, there is a useful Wikipedia entry. The little pic shows a leaping salmon. In this publication you will find statistics for Catches of Wild Salmon, 1952-2008.

< Prev		Next >