Horizons Sylvia Thompson"Responding to climate and energy uncertainty" is the theme of this month's exhibition at Enfo, St Andrew's Street, Dublin. Mounted by Cultivate, the sustainable living and learning centre in Temple Bar, Dublin, the exhibition includes a carbon calculator, a "climate warning" animated film and a broad introduction to how we can respond to energy and climate uncertainty.
A series of workshops for communities and secondary school students runs throughout the month.
Meanwhile, another series of evening classes on sustainable living begins in Cultivate on February 27th at 7.30pm. Over 10 weeks, the course will explore ethical and sustainable ways of living that value efficiency, community and the conservation of natural resources. The cost is €200. Call 01-6745773 for details on both events. See also www.cultivate.ie.
Think global, act municipal
Greater focus needs to be placed on what happens to organic waste and where it goes rather than on the technologies used. So said environmental economist Dr John Curtis recently at the launch of a discussion paper on biodegradable municipal waste earlier this month. Currently, 1.4 million tons of such waste ends up in landfill, almost 50 per cent above the EU target Ireland must reach by 2010. Dr Curtis suggests greater promotion of at-source composting, a ban on untreated municipal waste going to landfill, more guidance on the reuse of organic waste and promotion of outlets for treated organic waste. See www.epa.ie/ downloads/consultation for more details.
Making the Fairtrade grade
The sale of Fairtrade Mark products grew by about 75 per cent last year as consumers continue to search for more ethically produced products. There are now more than 60 voluntary Fairtrade Towns committees, 31 of which have reached the status of Fair Trade towns. Many of these committees will organise public events during Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from February 25th to March 9th.
There will also be a public talk about Fairtrade at the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre, O'Connell Street, Dublin 1, at 6pm on February 25th. To find out more about local and national events and how to get involved, go to www.fairtrade.ie or call 01-4753515.
Eco-Unesco awards deadline
Young environmentalists should take note that entries for Eco-Unesco's Young Environmentalist Awards for 2008 must be submitted before February 29th. The projects will be judged in March and short-listed groups will be invited to a showcase of projects in April.
To date, the Young Environmentalist Awards has received entries from over 10,000 young people. See www.ecounesco.ie for more details and for a downloadable copy of their recently published 21st anniversary report.
Eco Web
www.biology.ie
Enter your sightings of primroses, frogspawn or tadpoles and watch how spring develops this year on this ever-expanding, award-winning nature website.