Highlands Uni at front of global ocean campaign

The University of the Highlands and Islands, which has a campus in Elgin, is leading a global campaign from 28 island universities across the world as they aim to highlight threats posed to the ocean.

University of the Highlands and Islands’ principal and vice-chancellor, Professor Clive Mulholland, is the president of the worldwide federation of island universities (Reseau d’Excellence des Territoires Insulaires).

He has written an open letter to the United Nations, European Union, the UK Government and the Scottish Government, calling for urgent action on the threats posed to the world’s islands by micro plastics in our oceans.

Many RETI member universities have researchers actively investigating this issue and they have agreed to act now on behalf of islands across the world.

Professor Clive Mulholland said: "There is an issue of growing anxiety for scientists and the public alike.

"As a federation of island universities who are more affected by the impact of micro plastics on our campus environment, we are already committed to doing all we can through further research and academic collaboration.

"However, we also wanted the big players in this worldwide issue to recognise that we can work with them to tackle this global concern, through our academic expertise and commitment."

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