Richard Shucksmith

Scottish Association for Marine Science

Today's Date: 27 July 2006

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Diving both temperate and coral reefs all a round the world, being out in the mountains of Scotland, watching otters, eagles and deer.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

Round freshwater lakes and ponds where we used to go fishing and many were very remote so we always saw lots of wildlife.

Now? Out in the mountains and islands. I love being out round the coast and on islands hence working on the west coast of Scotland where we have the inner and outer herbridean islands. Also, I love the fjord system in Chilean Patagonia.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?

I do not have any particular favourite I love watching wildlife from a mouse in the garden to fish under the sea.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Population expansion, increase in population will exert more pressure on the natural systems which are already under serious pressure. Many people will say climate change although this will change many of the natural systems, if they were not under some much pressure they could cope with the change, many communities are very resistant. However if these ecosystems are so small any way they will just get degraded more. We're over populated already on global scale and it is set to rise by 2050. Can the earth really take that increase considering that all our natural resources are on the verge of being at least economically extinct if not population extinct? Its people we have to manage then conservation might stand a chance.

5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Every little bit helps, act locally think globally. If every body walked to work or cycled or used public transport it would help, if we all recycled or learnt to use less plastics or fuel it would help. We can all do our little bit which when your talking millions of people doing it results in a large reduction.