Category Archives: Irish Focus
Time to put a lid on bottled water
‘Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former’. That’s the view of no less an observer than Albert Einstein. Though his judgement may seem a little harsh, the strange story of … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Habitat/Species, Irish Focus, Sustainability
Tagged bottled water, carbon, environment, Perrier, plastic, pollution, Sustainability, Volvic
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Getting some real wind in our sails
You only have to look at a map of Ireland’s rugged western seaboard to get some idea of the power of wave and wind in shaping our coastline. In Connemara the sparse tree cover leans away from the sea at … Continue reading
Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Irish Focus, Sustainability
Tagged Biofuels, carbon, electricity, ESB, Ireland, turbine, wind, wind farms
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Forget chocolate – 40 steps to cut carbon for Lent
The Tearfund is a UK-based development agency which has come up with a novel idea for this Lent. Instead of cutting down on treats, how about reducing your carbon instead? They are clearly placing the effects of climate change as … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Habitat/Species, Irish Focus, Sustainability
Tagged climate change, fair trade, Lent, Sustainability, Third World
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Under pressure
Our closest living relatives on this planet are the 625 species of primates. We share over 98% of our DNA with them, so the similarities are more than skin deep. In the whole of the turbulent 20th century, not a … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Habitat/Species, Irish Focus, Sustainability
Tagged apes, EPA, extinction, land use, primates, Richard Leakey, vegetation, Wolfgang Lucht
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The heat is on for patio burners
If you sat down to design a more environmentally unfriendly product, you’d be hard pressed to come up with something worse than a patio heater. Ten years ago, these were relatively rare in Ireland, but with the upsurge of ‘decklanders’ … Continue reading
Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Irish Focus, Sustainability
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All-party consensus on climate – what are the odds?
Earlier this evening representatives of all six major Irish political parties joined a panel discussion entitled ‘Three percent a year: How will Ireland cut emissions?’. The meeting, chaired by environmental broadcaster Duncan Stewart, was hosted by Cultivate in Dublin’s Temple … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Sustainability
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The health impacts of climate change revealed
For many people in Ireland, the state of our health system is of far greater concern than something as abstract as climate change and global warming. After all, it’s a ‘real’ issue as to whether or not your elderly relative … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Sustainability
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A Giant step backwards
It’s not the easiest place on the island to locate, and when you do eventually get there, your first impression may be to wonder what all the fuss is about. But as you head on foot from the visitor area … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Habitat/Species, Irish Focus, Sustainability
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Flights of fancy on Irish emissions control
“The recent conference in Bali gave us hope that we can construct an effective, concerted response (to climate change) for nothing less will guarantee the safe future of all our children and our earth”. That’s how President Mary McAleese addressed … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Sustainability
Tagged air travel, carbon, emissions, Kyoto, Sustainability, transport
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Who’s the real enemy in the nuclear war?
Four years ago, in January 2004, what was then a startling claim was made by the UK Government’s chief scientific adviser. Climate change was a far greater threat to the world than international terrorism, according to Sir David King. He … Continue reading
Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Irish Focus, Nuclear, Sustainability
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A nuclear 2008?
As the dust settles on the Christmas period, an interesting contribution on the nuclear debate in Ireland (what debate? You might well ask) comes from David Begg, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). As everyone in … Continue reading
Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Irish Focus, Nuclear
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All I want for Christmas…
‘Dear Santa, My name is Reece Martin. I am 7 years old. I have been a good boy for my Mam and Dad. This year I would really like a black PSP Wipeout Pulse and ratchet and clank for the … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Sustainability
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Taking to the streets of Dublin for climate change
Yesterday, December 8th, was World Climate Day, and it was marked by protest marches in around 50 cities globally, including an estimated turnout of 10,000 in London. Compare that with the more than half a million who turned out – … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus
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Carbon Budget – what does it actually mean?
“The Carbon Budget marks the beginning of a new era. It is an era in which climate change moves to the heart of Government decision-making. It puts our responsibilities to tackle climate change on an equal footing with our responsibilities … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Sustainability
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Ireland’s first Carbon Budget
Later today, Environment Minister John Gormley will present Ireland’s first ever ‘carbon budget’ to the Dail. Whatever about its practical effect in the short term, this is a highly symbolic move. Remember, a few short months ago, one Dick Roche … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus
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