WHILE A majority of people express concern about the environment and climate change, few are willing to do anything to counter global warming.
Most people believe companies should do more to protect the environment, but admit they would not avoid a foreign holiday to reduce their carbon footprint.
These contradictory findings were released yesterday in Sligo on the opening day of Science Week Ireland 2009, the annual Government supported science festival that brings science and scientists to the people.
The Science Week schedule includes more than 450 talks, presentations, exhibitions and shows across the State.
This is the 12th annual Science Week and the theme chosen for 2009 is Science - Shaping Our World.
Science Week Ireland was officially launched in Sligo yesterday by the Minister of State for Science Dr Jimmy Devins, when he attended a day-long science and technology fair at Sligo Institute of Technology
"Science Week is a fantastic vehicle for people of all ages to begin a journey of discovery into the world of science, engineering and technology," Dr Devins said.
The Government-funded Discover Science and Engineering (DSE) programme organised the week-long event and also commissioned iReach to carry out a survey of people's attitudes to the environment and how to protect it. It used online surveys of a national representative sample of 800 people aged 15 and over.The survey found that a full 88 per cent of respondents were concerned about the consequences of climate change, yet 60 per cent bought bottled water, now recognised as undesirable from an environmental point of view. It also found that 77 per cent used their cars to drive short distances rather than walking or cycling and only 24 per cent said they would take fewer holidays to reduce carbon output.
Three quarters of respondents said it was up to the airlines to reduce carbon dioxide release, yet only 19 per cent were aware of their own carbon footprint.
Full details of the Science Week Ireland events can be found on the web site www.scienceweek.ie
Science Week: programme of events
TODAY
Astronomy Watch, November 10th-13th at Dunsink Observatory, Finglas, 7pm, senior cycle secondary school, free but book, contact Anne Grace on 01 662-1333
Hospital infections - why do they occur and what can we do about them?, lecture, County Library, Tallaght at 7.30pm, general public, free but book on 01 462-0073 Our body's protectors - keeping us fit4life, presentation, November 10-14th at 9.30am, UCC, primary pupils, free but book, contact Andrea Doolan on 021 490-1406
TOMORROW
End of Age, lecture, Royal Irish Academy, Dawson Street, 6pm, general public, free.
Acrobatic phenomenon!, workshop, Dublin Children's Museum, Sandyford Co Dublin, 2pm, primary cycle, free but book, contact Ceire Hatton on 01 217-6130
Exploring past, present and future changes in our lakes, lecture, Dundalk Institute of Technology, 1pm, senior cycle secondary, free but book, contact Geraldine Kneel on 042-939-3753
