‘Biodiversity Around the World’ – New Exhibit at Galway Atlantaquaria

A new exhibit, labelled ‘Biodiversity around the World’, has just opened at Galway Atlantaquaria. Galway Atlantaquaria is the largest aquarium in Ireland and focuses mainly on the display of native aquatic animals and habitats. Biodiversity in Ireland and indeed around the world is a growing issue. In Ireland invasive plants and animals pose a major … Read more

New European Strategy to Halt Biodiversity Loss

The European Commission has presented a new strategy to protect and improve the state of Europe’s biodiversity over the next decade. The strategy includes six targets which address the main drivers of biodiversity loss, and which will reduce the main pressures on nature and ecosystem services in the EU by anchoring biodiversity objectives in key sectoral … Read more

European Commission Asks Ireland and France to Protect Their Seas

The European Commission is asking Ireland and France to comply with EU legislation requiring Member States to draw up marine strategies to protect their seas. Neither Member State has informed the Commission about the transposition of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which should have been in place by July 15th 2010. If France and Ireland … Read more

The Environmental Challenges Facing the Irish Forestry Industry

The 2011 Augustine Henry Lecture at the RDS, Dublin will review how our knowledge of environmental matters relating to forestry has changed over the past 20 years. The lecture will also outline the challenges and opportunities currently facing the forestry and biodiversity industry in Ireland. The RDS, in association with the Society of Irish Foresters, … Read more

Guidance on Wetlands Sewerage Systems

A new guidance document on constructed wetlands has been launched. Integrated constructed wetlands (ICWs) are natural sewerage systems which are very kind to the environment. They can deal with farmyard soiled water and domestic wastewater applications. They consist of a series of connected ponds, through which the polluted water flows. Nutrient removal is facilitated by … Read more

Fully Integrated Approach Needed to Make Europe a Resource Efficient Green Economy

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has released its fourth Environment State and Outlook report – SOER 2010 – a comprehensive assessment of how and why Europe’s environment is changing, and what we are doing about it. SOER 2010 concludes that a fully integrated approach to transforming Europe to a resource-efficient green economy can not only … Read more

Registration Date Extended For ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2011

The number of groups from around Ireland and Northern Ireland participating in the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2011 has increased by 40% compared to last year. To mark this increased interest, and give even more young people the chance to get involved in what is set to be Ireland’s biggest ever celebration of Eco-Action, ECO-UNESCO … Read more

Ireland's Soil Biodiversity at Risk

The EU’s own research body, the Joint Research Centre, has published the first-ever atlas showing areas of Ireland and the rest of the EU where the biodiversity of soil is under threat. The biodiversity in our soils plays a vital role in sustaining life above ground. It is key in agriculture and in the water … Read more

Dublin City Council Launches Sustainability Report 2010

Dublin City Council has launched its first sustainability report. The Sustainability Report 2010 sets out the Council’s principles, vision and actions for increasing the economic, social and environmental sustainability of Dublin City. The seven focus areas of the report are – energy, water, waste, biodiversity, transport, society and procurement. Kilbarrack Fire Station, through its Green … Read more

Public Consultation Opens on Future EU Biodiversity Policy

The European Commission has launched a web-based consultation to gather input from a wide range of stakeholders on policy options for the European Union’s post-2010 EU biodiversity strategy. Opinions are sought from citizens, stakeholders, public administrations, business and civil society on issues including the shortcomings of the existing biodiversity policy, the new approach that the … Read more