Ireland to outstrip Europe on carbon emission cuts

Ireland is to enact an ambitious climate change law that goes beyond the EU Commission’s carbon emissions targets.

The Minister for the Environment John Gormley, this morning published a Bill (statement below) that sets a target of 2.5% cuts in emissions on 2008 levels each year until 2020. The Bill sets a medium-term goal of a 30% cut on 1990 levels by 2030. By comparison, the EU Commission stated last May that the EU’s current trajectory would see a drop of only 25% by 2030.

The main current EU target is a reduction in carbon emissions of 20% below 1990 levels by 2020.

The new legislation will establish tackling climate change as a national priority in Ireland with a statutory basis. Government ministers will be required to produce sectoral climate change mitigation strategies.

Unsurprisingly, the influential farmers’ lobby is furious. Agriculture will almost certainly have to take some sort of hit if Ireland’s emissions are to fall in any serious way. Farming remains the single biggest contributor to Ireland’s greenhouse gas output, responsible for just under 30% of emissions last year, and eclipsing emissions from the industrial and commercial, and transport sectors.

The Irish Farming Association (IFA) President, John Bryan, has rubbished the Green Party’s decision to prioritise the Climate Change Bill as “badly thought out.”

“We have a low carbon model of food production and Government policy must not undermine the sector’s ability to drive exports and jobs as part of our economic recovery,” Bryan claimed.

The IFA's inevitable opposition is unlikely to ruin Christmas for Gormley et al, who seem more worried about their legacy at this stage of the (end) game, than courting popularity with rural voters.

The only nod to farmers' interests in Ministers' Gormley's and Ryan's statement is a couple of very vague paragraphs tacked onto the bottom. These are to do with agriculture and forestry's potential for sequestration, which is when emissions are offset by trees and plants absorbing atmospheric carbon.

The climate law is due to be enacted in February, a few weeks at most before the Dáil is likely to be dissolved ahead of the general election. (Bookmaker Paddy Power is offering 8/11 odds on no Green TDs being returned).

Friends of the Earth today backed the Green Party legislation and accused the IFA of “scaremongering.”

The organisation’s director in Ireland, Oisín Coghlan, said the climate change Bill was the equivalent of the banking regulation Ireland should have had 10 years ago to prevent the current economic crisis in the country.

“It [the Bill] will prevent the next bubble, one driven by a belief that pollution can rise forever without leading to a crash," Coghlan said last week.

Full text of the Climate Change Bill press release

[Pretty much all waffle until the bit near the bottom in bullet points.]

Mr John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, and Mr Ciaran Cuffe, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of the Environment with responsibility for Climate Change, today (23rd December, 2010) published the Climate Change Response Bill 2010. The Bill, which has been in preparation for the past eighteen months, is a legislative priority for the Government and Ministers Gormley and Cuffe will be seeking to progress it through the Houses of the Oireachtas immediately, with a view to enactment in February 2011.

The Bill sets out a robust statutory basis to strengthen the national response to climate change. Key provisions include ambitious but realistic national greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for 2020, 2030 and 2050; a new national planning process encompassing both mitigation and adaptation; a new annual process on reporting to the Oireachtas; and a new Expert Advisory Body to advise Government on policy and implementation.

The objective of the statutory approach is to reinforce Government policy on positioning Ireland as a responsible country on climate change, with a progressive policy response focussed on transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable future. Transition aims to address the challenges and embrace the opportunities that climate change presents for Ireland and to significantly reduce our over-dependence on imported sources of fossil fuel energy.

"Climate change is an issue that not only threatens the natural environment we depend on, but also raises serious concerns regarding the potential impact on economic activity and the social fabric of society," Minister Gormley said. "This legislation is about planning for the future. It's about protecting our economy and our society in the long term."

"Constructing a low-carbon economy is an enormous challenge, but it is a challenge that also brings immense opportunities. The low-carbon economy of the future will see the development of new industrial sectors. These new clean technologies will create new jobs and develop new sources of economic growth development".

Minister Cuffe said: "With our unique geographical, climatic and human-capital advantages, the enactment of this Bill will send a very clear signal to the global investment and business community that the direction of public policy in Ireland is unambiguous and that Ireland is a prime location for long-term investment opportunities."

"Since entering Government in 2007, we have been working solidly to ensure that Ireland is at the forefront of the international response to combating Climate Change. In an era of ever rising energy prices and insecurity, addressing Climate Change not only makes sound environmental sense but equally sound economic and social sense, particularly for job creation."

On enactment, the legislation will establish our response to climate change as a national priority; that is a major policy milestone for this country in terms both of our contribution to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and preparing to engage effectively and successfully in the clean, high-tech, low-carbon global economy of tomorrow.

"The emphasis on transition is key to the twin objectives of greenhouse gas mitigation and effective preparation in the low-carbon global economy," Minister Gormley said. "Targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are important indicators of our progress but let's not lose
sight of the big picture, the long-term vision of where we want to be. That, in my view, is a significant and necessary change in our approach to climate change policy; transition is so fundamental that we need a very clear and strong focus on the ultimate objective - a future that is economically and environmentally sustainable - if we are to map out a progressive and successful future for our country."

The Minister also announced that a public consultation period will run until 28th January 2011. All information relevant to this consultation can be found on the Department*s website, www.environ.ie.

The main provisions of the Bill include:

• to underpin a core objective on transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable society;
• a short-term target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average 2.5% per year, compared to 2008 emissions, by 2020;
• a medium-term target to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030 and a long-term target of 80% by 2050, both compared to 1990 emissions, both targets will serve as key milestones on the transition pathway;
• a requirement for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, with the approval of the Government, to produce a National Climate Change Plan which will address both
• greenhouse gas mitigation, and adaptation to the inevitable impacts of global climate change;
• a provision for the Government to require such Ministers as it considers appropriate to produce Sectoral Climate Change Plans to address mitigation and adaptation in their areas of responsibility;
• an Annual Transition Statement will provide accountability to the Oireachtas in relation to progress towards the transition goal, the milestone targets and implementation of the National Climate Change Plan (the Annual Transition Statement will replace the current Carbon Budget process);
• establishment of an Expert Advisory Body to advise Ministers and the Government in relation to functions under the Bill, including the national and sectoral planning processes, and the annual transition statement process; and
• obligations to be introduction for public bodies in relation to greenhouse gas mitigation and adaptation to global climate change.

Minister Cuffe said: "The Climate Change Response Bill provides the framework for our Transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient, environmentally sustainable and climate resilient society. All sectors of society have a part to play in this transition to a climate resilient society. Agriculture is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and Ireland has been active on the international scene to ensure that the link between climate change and food security is fully recognised in international agreements.

"The emphasis on the sustainability of agricultural production in Food Harvest 2020 serves as a reminder of the importance of avoiding carbon leakage in successfully implementing global climate policy as well as maximising the potential for increasing sustainable employment domestically."

"Within our own policies, we emphasise the importance of an integrated approach to the emissions and sequestration from agriculture, forestry and natural ecosystems. They must be considered together; agricultural and forestry policies must address the major potential for increased sequestration from farmed land, forestry and perennial energy crops. I look forward to further interaction with the Farming Organisations to exploit these potential opportunities and maximising Ireland's efforts to fight Climate Change."

ENDS

What to feed the birds

Right so we don't care if this is totally naff: it's time for a post on the dos and don'ts of feeding the birds during the cold weather.

Here's how to sort the hazelnut whirls (yum) from the coffee crèmes (ugh), as told to us by Niall Hatch of Birdwatch Ireland.

Yum:

• Sunflower seeds. If birds were people and the mixed birdseed you get in supermarkets was Cadbury's Roses, sunflower seeds would be the purple ones. The other stuff is just filler – pigeons can eat it, but little birds like finches only really like the sunflower seed.
• Stale cake and biscuits if you have any lying around. In winter, birds need a very high-calorie diet.
• Wholegrain bread, cos they like the seeds. Bread is easier to digest if it is soaked in water first.
• Peanuts in a wire mesh feeder.
• Fat e.g. suet.
• It’s also a good idea to put out a dish of water (and replace it if it freezes). Birds need to keep their feathers clean for insulation.

Ugh:

• Uncooked rice because it absorbs moisture and swells in their stomachs, which is very harmful. Cooked rice is ok.
• White bread won’t do any damage but it isn’t very nutritious. Brown bread is alright, but wholegrain is better.
• Loose peanuts: easy to choke on.
• Salt: toxic to birds.

In my garden (in Lucan) this winter there have been about six or eight collared doves (pictured left) every day, which we never really had before. They look like pigeons but much prettier and not as fat.

Collared doves first came to Ireland as recently as 1959, apparently, and they mostly live in suburbs and small towns. They almost exclusively live near human settlements.

In the 19^th-century, these birds were only found in sub-tropical Asia. By the 1930s they had reached the Balkans, and they spread to England in 1955. In the 1970s they somehow ended up in the Falklands, and then in the Bahamas and they are now considered invasive in Florida. They're basically on the brink of world domination but nobody knows why their population has exploded. Here’s an interesting article about them from the Examiner earlier this year.

December 17's show

On this programme:

• Niall Hatch of Birdwatch Ireland on why Irish migratory birds can't cope with the cold, and what food to put out in your garden over Christmas.
• Short-term gain, long-term pain? Padraic Fogarty of the Irish Wildlife Trust says the latest EU fishing quotas could spell disaster for the eco-system in Irish waters.

As well as this week's environmental news.

Presented by Leah Leiva and produced by Valerie Flynn. Research and reports by Louise Finan and Valerie Flynn.

Podcast of Friday, December 10's show

On this programme:

1. Professor John Sweeney of NUIM on the latest round of climate change talks in Cancun, Mexico.
2. Claire McDonald reports on Dublin City Council's attempts to become more energy efficient.
3. Labour Party Councillor Dermot Lacey on the new building height guidelines for Dublin.

As well as the week's environment news.

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Presented by Leah Leiva. News by Valerie Flynn. Produced by Christina McSorley and Valerie Flynn.

Green Party promise on climate Bill

The “first and top priority” of the Green Party for their remaining weeks in government is pushing through a climate change bill, according to Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan.

Minister Ryan has promised that the climate change Bill would be published before the Greens left government buildings.

“This is probably our first and top priority. It is the priority because it will effect future generations,” Minister Ryan said.

He was speaking at the Earth Talks event last Thursday evening, November 25, in the Science Gallery in Trinity College. Minister Ryan made the commitment on a climate change Bill when questioned from the floor by Friends of the Earth's Molly Walsh.

The Minister said that the Greens aspired to get a climate change law onto the statute books because “we hope to leave it as our legacy.”

He added that he was confident that Fianna Fáil backbenchers would support the Bill.

Chairman of the event, RTÉ broadcaster John Bowman, pressed Minister Ryan on the issue of asking the Opposition parties to support the Bill in a “free vote” in the Dáil. The Opposition traditionally vote against all government proposals.

But the Minister said he was satisfied that the party whip could keep Fianna Fáil backbenchers in check.

“It is always a free vote in the Dáil,” he said – which got a big laugh from the audience.

“I suspect we will get it through,” he added.

Minister Ryan concluded his contribution to the debate – which was about the media’s attitude to environmentalism – by saying that writer John Moriarty was his hero because he communicated the “Irish mystic connection about how the earth talks and we need to listen.”

Endangered ringtones

Forget about crazy frog, kids, all the cool people are downloading the Puerto Rican crested toad, if the Irish Environmental Network (IEN) is to be believed.

IEN has drawn its bulletin readers' attention to a website that provides "rare and endangered animals calls for mobile phones."

"Putting these unique cries, howls, and warbles on your phone for the world to hear is one great way to spread the word about endangered species from the rockhopper penguin to the Puerto Rico rock frog — and to help remind others why they need our protection," IEN enthuses.

Why didn't someone think of this before? Has anyone told the UN? Is there provision for ringtone subsidies in the Nagoya agreement? When is the techno remix out?

Myxer: Privacy Policy | Terms - More from Center for Biological...

Myxer: Privacy Policy | Terms - More from Center for Biological...

Myxer: Privacy Policy | Terms - More from Center for Biological...

Podcast of November 12th

On this week's show.....

• We find out about Ireland's nitrogen levels
• Ever heard of Eco-Cement? Jack Cane investigates
• Why our peatlands need more protection
• Can Ireland afford Metro North?

And....

• This week's news stories with Valerie Flynn

Presented by Jack Cane and produced by Louise Finan

Doomsday Approaches

I’ve always been fascinated by doomsday predictions and have distinct memories of friends and I anxiously awaiting the predicted end of the world back in secondary school. It may have had less to do with being scared and more to do with wanting out of Maths class.

Now tonight we can find out if the world will end in 2012, and it doesn’t have anything to do with IMF and Ireland.

Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Oxford University Astrophysics will give the Royal Irish Academy Astronomy Lecture for Science Week 2010. In this talk Professor Bell Burnell will discuss such topics as:

What's all this about the end of the world in 2012? Just what is meant to happen, and how likely is it to happen? This talk examines the threats from space and explains how much truth there is in the suggestions that killer asteroids, lethal solar flares or the black hole at the centre of the Milky Way (for example) could cause the end of the Earth.

The talk is taking place this evening at 7 in the Burke Theatre, Trinity College. Admission is free and to book your place go here.

Ireland at 'low risk' from climate change

Ireland has been ranked the fourth least at-risk in the world when it comes to suffering the effects of climate change.

Norway, Finland and Iceland are the safest countries, in that order, according to a new study by British risk analysis firm Maplecroft. Ireland is one of only 11 countries globally ranked as "low-risk." Bangladesh, India, Madagascar, Nepal and Mozambique are at the most risk, in that order, according to the study.

Maplecroft's environmental analyst, Dr Anna Moss, suggests that extreme weather events like this year's floods in Pakistan are the result of climate change.

“There is growing evidence climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of climatic events,” she said.

“Very minor changes to temperature can have major impacts on the human environment, including changes to water availability and crop productivity, the loss of land due to sea level rise and the spread of disease.”

The data is mapped here. The study measured:

1. how vulnerable the country is right now to climate-related natural disasters.
2. human sensitivity in terms of, for example, dependence on agriculture.
3. how capable the country is of adapting to the effects of climate change.

Of the 25 countries ranked as being at "extreme risk", 12 are in Africa.

Feel smug on the Luas

Next time you're freezing your arse off on the Luas opposite a sleeping junkie dribbling all over himself (ah, the Red Line) - don't sit there wishing you owned a car. Just remember how much more eco-friendly it is to travel by tram.

To promote this feeling of moral superiority among the Luas-travelling public, the RPA has launched a Luas Carbon Calculator (pictured below).

When I get the Luas from Heuston to Tallaghtfornia, I save 5.5 times as much carbon compared to driving my imaginary car. It's a whole 2.68 kilograms of carbon saved.

As of 2006, Ireland's carbon emissions stood at 10.27 metric tons per capita (up from 4 metric tons in 1960). So one junkie-infested journey saves a little over 0.0002% of my probable carbon output this year. Well...every little helps.

Environmental events this week

A few environmental events happening this week:

1. Tuesday, November 2: Green Drinks in Messrs Maguire on Burgh Quay. The special guest speaker this month is Padraic Fogarty, chairman of the Irish Wildlife Trust and he'll be talking about upcoming reform of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy. There's also (free) vegetarian food and (not free) pints....allegedly the most eco-friendly pints in Dublin.
2. Tuesday, November 2: A talk by Dr Peter Cox from the Social Sciences Department of Cheshire University about planning for and supporting urban cycling. It's on in the Greenhouse (formerly ENFO) on Andrew's Street.

3. Thursday, November 4: UCD's Earth Sciences Institute will host a seminar on Smart Cities, addressed by Michael Roche of IBM and chaired by Dublin City Council planner Dick Gleeson. It's at 12.30pm in the Wood Quay bunkers.

By the way, the following Thursday (November 11), Mary Robinson will speak on the topic of climate justice in the Edmund Burke Theatre at 12.30pm. The Earth Sciences Institute are advising that anyone who wants to attend should book a place. Details are here.

Podcast of October 29's show

On this programme...

• Private waste operator Greenstar on why they won't send waste to the Poolbeg incinerator.
• Is Ireland meeting its responsibilities under the Aarhus Convention on environmental matters? Leah talks to Michael Ewing.
• South Dublin County Council on their anti-bonfire plans.

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Presented by Carys Sanders. News by Louise Finan. Reports by Leah Leiva and Margaret Roche. Produced by Valerie Flynn.

New UN agreement on protecting species and habitats

The UN's 193 nations have agreed a new deal on protecting threatened species - it's something like the Kyoto agreement but for biodiversity.

The deal, agreed in Japan yesterday (Friday), sets out 20 goals to be implemented within the next decade The area of the world's oceans that is protected will go from 1% to 10%, while the area of protected land in the world will go from 12.5% to 17%.

It's a good outcome to the International Year of Biodiversity.

Podcast of October 22's show

On this programme...

• Leah talked to Noel McGloin, Senior Environmental Officer with Inland Fisheries Ireland about salmon, water quality and invasive species in Ireland's rivers and lakes.
• At a seminar on biodiversity in the 'Dead Zoo', Claire asked the experts about the threat posed by invasive plant species in Ireland, and Padraic Whooley of Irish Whale and Dolphin Group told us where to go whale-watching in Dublin.
• From computer desktop energy monitoring to the, ahem, 'waterless urinal': Leah checked out the green business ideas nominated for the top prize at the annual Resource Ireland expo.

Produced by Christina McSorley. Presented by Valerie Flynn. Reports by Leah Leiva and Claire McDonald.

Greenhouse emissions fall because of recession

The recession caused Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions to fall by 5.4 million tonnes (7.9%) last year – but we’re still not in compliance with our Kyoto Protocol targets.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions fell across all sectors last year, most noticeably in the industry and commercial sector where there was a 20% drop.

But the EPA reckons that in 2008 and 2009 we were still 6.2 million tonnes above our target ‘limit’ under the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse emissions. Agriculture remains the single biggest contributor to Ireland’s emissions, at 29.1% of the total.

Dr Mary Kelly, director general of the EPA, said Ireland should use the recession as an “opportunity to embed fundamental emission reductions in the economy in order to meet the very stringent EU 2020 limits which we face.”

“We should not rely on a recession to meet our targets for the future,” she warned.

Ireland's experience tallies with that across Europe. Last month, the European Environment Agency (EEA) reported that emissions across the EU's 27 states fell by 6.9% last year. The EEA says this puts Europe's emissions 17.3% below 1990 levels.

In Ireland last year, emissions from agriculture decreased by only 0.3 million tonnes (1.5 %). This decline is thought to reflect lower sheep and pig numbers and a reduction in gasoil use on farms. Residential emissions fell by less than 1%.

Invasive species: Australia v starlings

We've been covering the problem of invasive species a lot as it's one of the big issues that the UN's 2010 International Year of Biodiversity is designed to highlight.

In Western Australia (pictured below in dark orange), October is the start of starling trapping season. ABC now reports that this year, efforts to eradicate the species are finally meeting with tangible success. The highly adaptable European birds, introduced to the south of the Australia in the 1880s, are seen as an "extreme threat" to agriculture, the environment and the economy.

But eradicating invasive species isn't cheap. WA's anti-starling programme has a budget of $3 million. In addition to culling the birds, the state's Department of Environment and Food has a "pest hotline" where citizens can report sitings of any non-native species.

The harsh lesson for Ireland is that without investment, invasive species like the grey squirrel, Japanese knotweed, and (in a recent development) the Asian clam can not be combated effectively.

Radioactivity in the Irish Sea at historic low

Radioactivity levels in the Irish Sea are at their lowest levels since the 1970s, according to a new report by the Isle of Man’s Government Laboratory.

Low levels of the radioactive isotope Caesium-137 were found in all the seafood tested by the Manx scientists. But the report states that the levels are well below EU-recommended maximum permitted levels.

Low levels of another contaminant, Technetium-99, are found in all Manx lobster. This "will result in only a very small radiation exposure to people who eat lobster on a regular basis," the scientists say. Certain seaweeds are prone to accumulating Technetium-99, "however there is no radiological hazard to the general public using the Island’s beaches, as the Tc-99 content of seaweed is far too low to give any measurable skin contact exposure, from handling seaweed."

The Isle of Man is exactly 32 miles from Sellafield (pictured) and 32 miles from the Irish coast.

The main commercial activity at Sellafield is the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, which results in liquid and gaseous radioactive waste. Most of this waste is stored on site, but some gaseous waste is vented into the atmosphere and some liquid waste is discharged into the Irish Sea.

Four podcasts - September and October 2010

(Apologies for the backlog.)

1. On October 8's show...

• A new car rental scheme modelled on Dublin Bikes

• Repak Recycling Week 2010

• Residents’ reaction to Dublin City Council’s moves to CPO land for the Poolbeg incinerator

And...

• Christina talks to the woman behind the Open House festival

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Presented by Leah Leiva. Produced by Christina McSorley. Reports by Louise Finan and Valerie Flynn. Research by Claire McDonald. News by Valerie Flynn.

2. On October 1’s show...

• Dublin’s directly elected mayor: We talk to Councillor Dermot Lacey, the bookies favourite to take the job, and ask people on the street what they think of the proposed office.
• Ireland’s bats: The threat from wind turbines, and from a deadly fungus.

And...

• Geothermal energy: plans for a plant at Rathcoole.

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Presented by Louise Finan. News by Leah Leiva. Research and reporting by Valerie Flynn. Produced by Christina McSorley.

3. On September 24's show...

• As the closure of Dublin’s civic dump approaches, what next for the capital’s waste?
• How Kilbarrack became Dublin’s first carbon neutral fire station
• Eco-UNESCO’s annual conference

And

• Energy efficiency in Ireland's buildings

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Presented by Jack Cane. Produced by Valerie Flynn. Reports and news by Louise Finan.

4. On September 17's show...

• The Poolbeg incinerator: Councillor Maria Parodi on the problem of the contract’s expiration date.
• Dublin Bikes celebrates a successful first year: We talk to users of the service, and to Councillor Andrew Montague.
• Part two of Christina’s series on green initiatives in Ballymun: the Rediscover Fashion recycling project

And...

• A setback for social housing in Dún Laoghaire.

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Presented by Louise Finan. Produced by Valerie Flynn.

October 15's show

On this week's show....

• The new Cherrywood LUAS opens this weekend but where is Metro North?
• Leah Levia finds out whether Ireland is really protecting its habitat....
• Claire McDonald talks to architect Ali Grehan about the exiting Pivot Dublin project...

And...

• John O'Neill finds out how recycling and waste management can help more than the environment....

The show was presented by Carys Sanders with research by Valerie Flynn. Produced this week by Louise Finan

September 2's show

On this show:

• Dr Rodney Teck, climatologist from NUI Maynooth, gives us the low down on the 'climate gate' scandal.
• Valerie Flynn joins campaigning Dublin cyclists at their monthly 'Critical Mass' event.
• The deadly fungus threatening Ireland's oak forests.
• The second in Christina McSorley's two-part series on a new eco-friendly community development in Ballymun.

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Presented by Christina McSorley and produced by Valerie Flynn.

August 27, 2010

We talked to Dr Cathy Maguire from Comhar about the need for better eco-planning in Ireland. Roger Warburton from Emerald Houses shows us around his new home in a new eco-community in Ballymun, and Valerie found out why Irish bees are buzzing off.

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August 20's show

On this show...

• Dirty old town? Dublin's litter problem and new efforts to tackle it.
• Wildlife events in your area for Heritage Week.
  And...
• Dublin City Council's latest move in the Poolbeg incinerator controversy: Is it check mate for opponents of the plans?
  As well as this week's round up of environmental news.
  
  
  
  
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  Presented by Christina McSorley and produced by Valerie Flynn.
  

Butterfly workshop

We had an item on the show earlier this summer about butterflies, where we visited the South Circular Road Community Garden for a butterfly workshop with Bob Aldwell from the Dublin Naturalists Field Club.

Dublin Community Growers are holding another workshop this Saturday at the Robert Emmet CDP Garden on Bridgefoot Street in Dublin 8. It starts at noon and ends at 2pm.

The organisers say the aim of the workshop is: "to provide a practical hands on experience, and knowledge, of the butterflies that coexist with us amongst the urban landscape of Dublin.

"A talk and demonstration will serve to reveal butterfly life cycle and habits, while gardening methods for encouraging and supporting their presence will also be described. Speakers from both Dublin Community Growers and Dublin Naturalists' Field Club will be present.

"The event is aimed at both adults and children, with the intention of answering questions, and providing information and advice. While providing an afternoon of recreational fun within this central Dublin location, the gardening workshops also seek to deliver environmental contributions within education and research."

EWS 13 August 2010

This week's show was presented by Louise Finan. The news was read by Christina McSorley. Valerie Flynn spoke to the new Mayor of South Dublin County Coucnil, Jeannie McCann went to the Phoenix Park and Louise Finan found out about climate change in Kenya. The show was produce by Jeannie McCann.

August 6's show

First up, Jeannie McCann speaks to James Nix of new environmental lobby group 'Plan Better', an initiative involving An Taisce and Friends of the Earth.

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Continuing our series on the mayors of Dublin's four local authorities, Christina McSorley interviews Lettie McCarthy, the new Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

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'Love the City', a new project that aims to enhance the attractivenes of Dublin's city centre using design, kicked off recently. Valerie Flynn went along for Earth, Wind and Spire.

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The show was presented by Jeannie McCann and produced by Louise Finan.

Living in Temple Bar

A few weeks ago we spoke to Irish Times Environment Editor, Frank McDonald, about living in Temple Bar.  In today's paper he writes about the history of his home.  Read it here.

LED air quality detector

This is a cool idea.

Anti-litter advertising: will it work?

Dublin City Council is to tackle litter this month with a new advertising campaign called "Nobody wants your litter. Bin it."

Apparently cigarette butts, chewing gum and fast food packaging together account for 75% of the city's litter, and this is what the ads will address. The Herald reports that Failte Ireland and the Department of the Environment are funding the campaign.

If the object of the exercise is to encourage litter bugs to change their behaviour, would the money not be better spent on stronger enforcement of the litter bye-laws? Probably.

Belfast City Council launched an anti-litter advertising campaign in 2004. Before the campaign began, 52% of people surveyed by the Council's Cleansing Department admitted to having littered in the past six months. Six years later, the figure is at 48%, according to a study published in May. Not a huge improvement, by any standards.

The head of Belfast City Council's Cleansing Department reported that littering in the city has actually gotten worse in the past year, with the number of people who admitted to having littered in the past six months back to 2005 levels.

The research, conducted in February and March of this year, showed that the public advertising campaign had created a "high awareness of litter in the public's mind." But that awareness, unfortunately, did not cause a change in behaviour in Belfast.

Also, Earth, Wind and Spire has noticed the new Dublin City Council campaign posters at busstops but this is not the most effective medium, if Belfast's experience is anything to go by. The overwhelming majority - 87% - of people in Belfast who said they were familiar with the anti-litter campaign recalled it from television.