[0762]

Many people who want to see an independent Scotland are still obsessed by the "It's Scotland's oil" trope of the 1970s. Many will no doubt claim that "it will make no difference" and we should use every last drop. Oil revenue was always a bonus to the Scot economy and it contributes to under 10% of Scot GDP. Of course, it's not Scotland's oil - it's Shell's, Exxon's and BP's oil. And yes, we could tax them and yes, we could create an Oil Fund, something that should've been initiated about 40 years ago much like Norway's massive trillion+ pound fund. We are 40 years too late!! Other industries, and non-industries have far more potential and a far less destructive impact. But our problem isn't just the obsession with oil, but climate polluters, and the exertion of corporate power. Just look at the damning positive indicators on climate and pollution of our planet as a result of the forced "lockdowns" worldwide. Even the changes in behaviour of wildlife and birds etc is "eye dropping" and sending out a strong message of the folly of human interference on our planet's well-being.