Take One: Action! is the UK's first major film festival all about people and movies that are changing the world. The festival celebrates Scotland's global connections - from South Africa to Nicaragua - and explores global challenges in which Scotland has a vital role to play - from climate change to the rules about how poor nations trade.

A Seagull Task Force is being set up to look at ways in which urban gulls can be prevented from nesting and how nests can be effectively destroyed. A pilot project will begin in Dumfries next Spring to coincide with the breeding season.

The City of Edinburgh has seen the biggest increase in population numbers in Scotland over the decade to June 2007, according to statistics released earlier today by the General Register for Scotland.

The Pentland Hills Regional Park has become the largest park in the UK to be presented with a Green Flag award by the Civic Trust. The 10,000 hectare country park is Edinburgh's third to get a green flag. Harrison Park in the Polwarth area and Braidburn Valley Park in South Morningside have gained the accolade for the second year running.

The Edinburgh International Book Festival pitches camp in Charlotte Square Gardens this year between 9th and 25th August, hosting a staggering 800 authors from around the world. The quality and range of authors always draws wide interest, and this year is no exception. Following the launch of ticket sales last month, heavy traffic made the web site inaccessible for a while and a good number of events have already sold out.

As the clock ticks down to the Edinburgh Fringe, EG asks Fringe director Jon Morgan what we can expect this year. Morgan says, in spite of the credit crunch, and fears over a "breakaway" Comedy Festival, the Fringe appears to be appear in good health with around 2,000 shows coming to the city in August.

Over 150,000 visitors are expected to attend the annual trade show and fair for farmers and the public.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has launched a 'virtual tour' and a free, downloadable education pack of the rugged Isle of May nature reserve.

Scottish Natural Heritage, the organisation that monitors the health of Scotland's natural environment, is encouraging photographers of all ages and abilities to email them their nature photographs for a competition on the theme of "Natural Inspiration."

Scottish Environment Minister Michael Russell urged gardeners yesterday to help bumblebees as he launched Scottish Biodiversity Week (19-25 May).

Families and individuals wanting to learn how to turn kitchen scraps into rich, dark compost are invited to a free Compost Fun Day at Seafield Community Recycling Centre this Sunday.

With climate change not merely the 'hot topic' of the 20th Edinburgh International Science Festival but of everyone and their granny's breakfast table, it was no great surprise Professor Chris Rapley, former Director of the British Antarctic Survey, took Great While It lasted; Now What? as the title and theme of his Edinburgh Medal Address on the subject.

Dr David King was until 2007 H. M. Gov's spokesperson on climate change, and is the author of The Hot Topic, the subject of Thursday's Edinburgh International Science Festival event. Would he be a bearer of better, or at least more encouraging news on the international frying and freezing front?

Edinburgh City Council is hoping more Edinburgh residents will get the recycling habit when its brown bin garden waste collection scheme starts up again on 1 April 2008.

The Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South-West delivered his first budget as Labour Chancellor earlier today "to secure a strong, sustainable future."

The City of Edinburgh Council is one of four councils that will take part in a study looking at the "on the ground" impacts of climate change to improve the city's readiness for extreme weather.

Drivers were able to cross the Forth and Tay road bridges free of charge from midnight last night as all tolls were abolished after more than 40 years.

The former chief scientific advisor to the British government, a scientist from the British Antarctic Survey, and the head planner of the design company behind a chinese "eco-city" (and the new Forth Bridge) are among guest speakers tackling Climate Change at the 20th Edinburgh International Science Festival.

The SNP government today launched its ambitious plans to tackle climate change with the publication of the Scottish Climate Change Bill Consultation.

In 2006, inventors in Edinburgh filed a total of 489 patent applications, according to the UK government's Intellectual Property Office (IPO). Not bad, but the IPO is hoping to see those numbers continue to rise