Aufgabenblock I

Outline the Cairngorms Wolf Project and its aims.

(30%)

Analyze how the author presents the meeting between the locals and the members of the project.

(30%)

Choose one of the following tasks:

3.1

“That’s all well and good for nature, [...] but it’s costing me land I could be grazing sheep on. Agriculture is the third-largest employer in rural Scotland. You threaten that and you threaten the entire community.” (ll. 45-48)

Comment on the farmer’s position.

3.2

You are a member of the Global Youth Community, an internet platform by and for young people to exchange ideas and collaborate on different projects.

Write an entry for the forum blog in which you assess to what extent local projects can make a difference in solving global problems.

(40%)

Charlotte McConaghy: Once There Were Wolves

In this excerpt from the novel, a team of biologists has arrived in the Scottish Highlands, among them the female protagonist Inti Flynn.

The school auditorium has no heating; the air within feels even colder than it does outside. My

fingers are turning numb as I sink into a backrow seat beside Niels and Zoe. There is a woman

in the audience holding a sign that reads CIGARETTES AND WOLVES, KILLERS THAT

COME IN PACKS and a kid waving one that says WILL THERE BE ANY DEER LEFT WHEN

I GROW UP? I roll my eyes.

On the stage sit a row of people. Evan is among them, our spokesperson, chosen not only

because he is articulate and charismatic, but because he’s the only one in our core team who

is Scottish, and this, we’ve been told, is likely to land better with the locals. [...] I am a bad-

tempered Australian who finds it hard to hide contempt and sucks at public speaking. Next to

Evan sits Anne, the warrior who singlehandedly got this project through Parliament and also a

massive pain in my ass. I don’t know who the rest of the people up there are, I suppose

prominent members of the community. In the crowd I know there are members of the farmers

union, the gamekeepers union, and the Hillwalkers group, plus dozens of landowners from the

entire Cairngorms region—all of whom have opposed our project. And despite my teasing

with Anne, I do understand why. There are no members of corporate agriculture here tonight.

These people are mostly local farmers living under massive financial pressure, and a perceived

threat to their hard-earned livelihoods is a frightening thing. It’s Evan’s job to try and ease some

of that fear.

One of the men on the stage stands to speak, white-haired and pairing his traditional tartan kilt

with a more casual knit pullover. "Most of you know me but for any who don’t, I’m Mayor Andy

Oakes," he says. "This meeting’s been called to give you some necessary information and for

you to voice your concerns and hopefully have them appeased. Here to speak to us tonight is

Anne Barrie, head of the Wolf Trust, in cooperation with Rewilding Scotland, and Evan Long,

who’s one of the biologists with the Cairngorms Wolf Project."

Anne gives a little thank-you speech that could not be more brownnosing if she tried, then she

yields the stage to Evan to explain the situation: that there are now three pens holding a total

of fourteen wolves within the Cairngorms National Park and that come the end of winter the

wolves will be released from these pens to live freely in the Scottish Highlands. They are here

specifically for a rewilding effort in a broader attempt to slow climate change, and on an

experimental basis.

"What we have here in Scotland," Evan says, "is an ecosystem in crisis. We urgently need to

rewild. If we can extend woodland cover by a hundred thousand hectares by 2026 then we

could dramatically reduce CO2 emissions that contribute to climate change and we could

provide habitats for native species. [...]"

I look around at the faces I can see; most appear somewhere between pissed off, bored, and

plainly confused.

Evan continues. "Deer eat tree and plant shoots so that nothing has a chance to grow. We are

overrun with deer. But wolves cull that deer population, and keep it moving, which allows for

natural growth of plants and vegetation, which encourages pollinating insects and smaller

mammals and rodents to return, which in turn allows the return of birds of prey, and by keeping

the fox population in check the wolves also allow medium-sized animals to thrive, such as

badgers and beavers. Trees can grow again, creating the air we breathe. When an ecosystem

is varied, it is healthy, and everything benefits from a healthy natural ecosystem."

A man from the crowd stands. He’s wearing a crisp white shirt and tie and holds his tweed flat

cap in his hands. His gray handlebar mustache is a sight to behold, even from my angle. "That’s

all well and good for nature," he says in a deep, resonant voice, "but it’s costing me land I could

be grazing sheep on. Agriculture is the third-largest employer in rural Scotland. You threaten

that and you threaten the entire community."

There are a few rumbles of agreement.

"It is unacceptable to me," he goes on, "that animals could be introduced that would destroy

the Highlander way of life. I want to see a thriving, vibrant community that supports its people.

To me there’s nothing sadder than a glen with no sheep and no people. People are the lifeblood

of any area."

A whistle, a smattering of applause. I stare at the back of the farmer. This world he describes,

empty of wild creatures and places, overrun instead by people and their agriculture, is a dying

world.

(800 words)

McConaghy, C. (2021). Once There Were Wolves. Orion Magazine. 4 August, 2021.

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Note:
Our solutions are listed in bullet points. In the examination, full marks can only be achieved by writing a continuous text.

fourteen wolves are currently in enclosures in Cairngorms National Park
wolves will be released into the Scottish Highlands at the end of winter for rewilding
→ addressing the ecosystem crisis
reforestation aims to extend forest cover to reduce CO2 emissions and support native species
wolves are introduced to control the deer population
→ restore the ecosystem
a public meeting is organised to address concerns and provide information
Parliament has authorised this project, led by a team of biologists collaborating with environmental organizations
local opposition, particularly from farmers, focuses on economic and cultural impacts
decrease deer population impeding plant growth, thereby mitigating CO2 emissions

In 'Once There Were Wolves', Charlotte McConaghy explores the conflict between ecological ambitions and local concerns in the Cairngorms Wolf Project. Through the eyes of protagonist Inti Flynn, the story explores the delicate balance between environmental goals and community dynamics in the Scottish Highlands.

Introduction

author begins by vividly describing the discomfort of the setting from the first-person narrator’s (limited) point of view (biologist Inti Flynn)
description of the unfriendly and uncomfortable character of the place, emphasizing the lack of heating and its impact on the atmosphere
→ "The school auditorium has no heating; the air within feels even colder than it does outside. My fingers are turning numb" (l.1-2)

Main Body
Describing the Atmosphere

author introduces the resistance through a woman with a sign and a child with a question about the future of the deer
→ "WILL THERE BE ANY DEER LEFT WHEN I GROW UP?" (l.4-5)
signaling potential conflicts between the locals and the project members

Introduction of Opposition

detailed description of the events and participants of the opposing groups at the meeting
combining a narrative of unfolding events with cutting and blunt remarks, e.g. "Anne gives..." (l.25) and "bad-tempered Australian woman who finds it difficult to conceal contempt" (l.8-9)
understanding of locals' concerns, acknowledged with "I do understand why," (l.15) yet limited by phrases like "a perceived threat" (l.17) and efforts to "ease some of that fear"
unwavering commitment to environmental measures, exemplified by statements like "I roll my eyes" (l.5)

Clash of Perspectives

integration of direct speech with comprehensive statements from members of the conflicting sides
→ "It is unacceptable ... lifeblood of any area." (l. 50-54), "That’s all well ... entire community." (l. 45-48), "Deer eat tree ... natural ecosystem." (l. 37-43)

Direct speech presenting a contrary perspective

application of enumeration to illustrate how many residents oppose the proposal
→ "...the gamekeepers union, and the Hillwalkers group, plus dozens of landowners..." (l.13 ff.)
reinforcing the contrast between the two groups
→ "a few rumbles of agreement" (l. 49)

Use of language

in conclusion, the author captures the multi-layered dynamics of the meeting
→ presenting opposing viewpoints
setting the stage for a compelling exploration of the intricate interplay between conservation efforts and the well-being of local communities in the Scottish Highlands

Conclusion

3.1

The farmer's point of view, as expressed in the quote, represents a broader discourse on the intersection of environmental initiatives and their potential impact on the living standards of people and communities. This discussion focuses on the challenges and considerations associated with balancing environmental priorities with socio-economic wellbeing.

Introduction

the farmer's stance underscores a concern that environmental measures might jeopardize the stability of people's livelihoods and communities
→ "it’s costing me land I could be grazing sheep on. Agriculture is the third-largest employer in rural Scotland. You threaten that and you threaten the entire community." (l.46-48)

Main Body
Measures and Risks

measures to manage environmental problems are perceived as a threat to the livelihoods of people and communities
→ "These people are mostly local farmers living under massive financial pressure, and a perceived threat to their hard-earned livelihoods is a frightening thing." (l.16-17)

human and economic concerns should not be overridden by environmental considerations
→ "It’s Evan’s job to try and ease some of that fear." (l.17-18)

Human and economic concerns

Questions of sustainability
→ considerations include maintaining the existing system at the expense of future generations and potentially ignoring long-term benefits and developments
→ "What we have here in Scotland, [...] is an ecosystem in crisis. We urgently need to rewild."

Local Concerns vs. Saving the Planet
→ text raises questions about the conflict between individual/local concerns and the overarching goal of saving the planet through conservation efforts
→ "Deer eat tree and plant shoots so that nothing has a chance to grow. We are overrun with deer. But wolves cull that deer population, and keep it moving ..." (l.37-38 ff.)

Questions of compensation
→ aspects also include public support for those who face actual negative consequences or hardship as a result of environmental measures
→ "It is unacceptable to me, [...] that animals could be introduced that would destroythe Highlander way of life." (l.50-51)

Economic potential of environmentally-friendly policies
→ the economic potential of green policies including the development of new industries and the creation of new opportunities are discussed
→ " If we can extend woodland cover by a hundred thousand hectares by 2026 then we could dramatically reduce CO2 emissions..." (l.32 ff.)

Question of Jobs
→ impact on jobs, particularly in rural areas, with farming providing a livelihood for many
→ "...Agriculture is the third-largest employer in rural Scotland. You threaten that and you threaten the entire community" (l.47-48)

Issues for consideration

complex challenges of environmental action and emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach that takes into account both environmental needs and community well-being
finding sustainable solutions in this complicated terrain requires a sensitive balance between environmental concerns and the livelihoods of those affected

Conclusion

3.2

Making Global Impact through Community Projects

Title

Hey Global Youth Community!

As we navigate the vast landscape of global issues, one question often lingers: Can local projects truly make a difference in solving global problems? Let's delve into this thought-provoking topic by examining the countless factors that shape an individual's ability to contribute to global change.

Introduction

The potential of local initiatives

local initiatives are able to deeply involve people as they identify with the familiar surroundings of their community
this connection often leads to active participation in projects that have a direct impact on the local environment

Main Body Community identification

local projects serve as a springboard and offer an easily accessible entry point for individuals
starting small can build trust and pave the way for participation in broader, global projects

Key factor for big projects

amplified through effective media and campaigning, local initiatives become models for others
highlighting success stories raises awareness and inspires individuals and communities to initiate change on a larger scale

Modelling success through social media

local projects, when communicated strategically, are a powerful tool to highlight the interconnectedness of global problems
showing how these problems impact at a local level, they contribute to a broader understanding of common challenges

Raising global awareness

benefits of local initiatives is their ability to develop solutions that are tailored to local circumstances
this locally oriented approach often leads to more effective results than general measures

Solutions based on local factors

Limitations of Local Projects

impact of local projects is usually limited to certain areas like a city, a region or part of a country
despite their ability to make a difference on a small scale, reaching larger geographical areas remains a challenge

Geographical limitation

local projects face financial limitations that restrict the scope of their initiatives
limited financial resources can hold back efforts to achieve broad solutions

Financial constraints

in conclusion, while local initiatives hold immense potential as drivers of change, acknowledging their limitations is crucial
a balanced and nuanced approach that integrates local efforts into a broader global strategy is the key to addressing the complexities of our interconnected world
through a collective, multi-tiered approach that we can truly make a lasting impact on the global stage

Let's continue the dialogue and explore innovative ways to create an innovative partnership between local initiatives for a better and more sustainable future!

Conclusion

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