THE
ALUMNAE
Edition 15 - Spring 2021
Trust in the Balance
Trust: a firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something. After leaving Bath High School, Dr Sally Campbell (BHS 1960) trained initially as a scientist, earning a BSc (First Class Hons) in Zoology followed by a PhD in Marine Ecology from London University, and then worked in research as a marine ecologist at the edge of the sea, in the UK and California. Always fascinated by complex systems, on her return from America and the birth of their two daughters, Sally became most interested in the dynamics of family, community, and organisations. Sally was soon involved in training and development of individuals and organisations and went on to spend 5 years working with National Children’s Home, was closely involved in the formation of Surrey Family Conciliation Service (now Surrey Family Mediation Service) whilst also becoming one of the founder trainers of Hospice Home Care, now The Brigitte Trust.
do we trust the “outer” world? Under today’s stressful, rapidly shifting headlines, trust is becoming more elusive than ever. As we look out into the wider world, we need confidence and trust in our leaders, local authority and government decisions, international and local company ethics and integrity, and most importantly in what is reported to us through the media. And if we do not have trust, how do we change our own world, demand change of leaders and companies in this time of Ecosystem Destruction, Climate Emergency, and Power of the Few? We have little time.
Sally ran her own business from 1985 until recently providing specialist services and training in transformation of businesses and assisting their people to adapt to changing economic and global conditions. She and her husband John have lived on the Isle of Arran in Scotland for the last 17 years overlooking the sea where they are involved in community engagement and Sally spends much of her time campaigning for Marine Protected Areas and sustainable fisheries. Completion of a two-year part time MSc at the University of Bath in Responsibility and Business Practice in the early 2000s brought together Sally’s interest in corporate social responsibility, new economics, natural capital, sustainability, and a much clearer view of world development. Here Sally gives an insight into her extensive experience gained from such a fulsome and varied career by explaining the fundamental role trust plays in tackling the environmental challenges the world faces today:
Two years ago, the EU agreed a landmark ban in order to protect bees and other insects from the “large scale adverse effects” of three neonicotinoid pesticides. Neonicotinoids have long been linked by scientists to the decline of honey bees and other pollinators, with evidence suggesting the pesticides harm baby bee brain development, weaken immune systems and can leave bees unable to navigate or even fly.
Here are three examples where trust has been betrayed. ECOSYSTEM DESTRUCTION: despite a ban, bee-killing pesticides (neonicotinoids) are still widely used in Europe
We all cheered. But - recent investigation finds EU countries have issued at least 67 different ‘emergency authorisations’ for outdoor use of these three neonicotinoids.
“Throughout the recent lockdowns Arran’s resident islanders have grown in their trust of their relationships in our community. At least that is what it feels like: Everyone has helped, we have pulled together with a real sense of trust in the Arran community. The bigger question now is how much 6 13
This was supposed to mean that the pesticides can be used in situations where there is a clear danger to farming or ecosystems and no other reasonable means to treat the problem. Only these emergencies seem to be happening rather a lot - about once every two weeks - and sometimes for questionable or unsubstantiated reasons, including in one instance to treat beetle outbreaks on Danish golf courses. Further, the EU auditors have found the measures have not made a real difference in preventing the decline in bees and butterflies. The Commission has recently announced new plans to cut pesticide use by 50% by 2030. More concerning at present is the Scottish salmon farming industry’s wish to use a neonicotinoid following an application for a patent concerning a neonicotinoid-based infeed sea louse treatment. Research suggests that, whilst this would kill the lice, use of this treatment would potentially result in severe damage to shellfish stocks in inshore waters over the longer term. The creel fishery is an important economic driver in the west of Scotland. How can we trust the salmon aquaculture industry? Short term profit over concern for the environment, Continued on page 14 u
