Big chill aside, climate change still threatens:Our recent freeze may have given climate-change sceptics a chance to theorise, as Michael Viney mentions in his column today, but global warming remains an increasing threat.
Commenting on the fact that Nasa has said 2010 was looking as if it would be the warmest year on record, Michael Northcott, professor of ethics at the University of Edinburgh, says: “Climate-change politics is increasingly not about the science, which is 90 per cent firm. It is about communication and consensus- building on the alternatives to a fossil-fuelled civilisation if we are not to commit civilisation suicide on behalf of those who come after us. Millions are already suffering from human-induced climate change.” His comments were reported by ecocongregationireland.org.
Make a New Year’s resolution you can keep
New Year’s resolutions made on January 1st often lack the seriousness required to carry them through. So why not make a few this weekend instead and aim to keep them? You could reduce your carbon emissions by 10 per cent by the end of the year (1010global.org); buy more local food; walk or take public transport instead of driving your car; encourage your children to walk or cycle to school; and, at home, conserve water, install extra insulation (below) and use electricity judiciously.
Where to learn about sustainable development
Eco-Unesco’s training programme for 2011 begins with an introduction to sustainable development that highlights the links between the environment, society and the economy. The course runs over 10 weeks on Thursday evenings, starting on January 27th, or over six weeks on Fridays and Saturdays, starting on Feburary 18th, all at the Greenhouse, Dublin 2. Courses cost €200-€240. See ecounesco.ie or call 01-6625491.
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btyoungscientist.com
Check out everything from litter collection in the school canteen to the environmental effects of gold mining or a solar-powered scooter. This year’s BT Young Scientist Technology Exhibition, which almost 4,000 students are taking part in, runs from Wednesday until next Saturday at the RDS, Dublin.
