Next time you buy some coffee, tea, chocolate or cocoa, check out the label first. Millions of people in the poorest countries of the world depend on producing these products for a living. Often, their work conditions are gruelling and their pay meagre. The fairtrade movement aims to improve both by buying directly from producers at a fair price; it also encourages producers to participate in the decision-making process, and protects the natural environment. Take note that bananas will be added to the list of fairtrade products for sale in Ireland from next year. Oxfam shops also stock a variety of fairtrade items. Do some of your Christmas shopping there.
Small Change, Big Difference - a choice for sustainable living, the current ENFO exhibition (which highlights fairtrade work), continues at ENFO, 17 St Andrew Street, Dublin, until December 8th. More details on fairtrade goods from Oxfam Ireland, 9 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, www.oxfamireland.org or Fairtrade Mark Ireland, Carmichael House, Brunswick Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 4753515.
Seal rehabilitation officers at the Exploris Aquarium, Portaferry, Co Down, are busy rescuing abandoned, injured or orphaned grey seals at present. Grey seals begin to have their pups at this time of year and recent storms mean that many seal pups lose their mothers when they are only a few days old. Exploris currently has eight pups - seven common seals and one grey seal - on public display. Starting today, visitors will be able to find out more about the rescue and rehabilitation of these animals, and view them close-up at feeding times. Seal Week continues until December 3rd. Exploris is open daily from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. on Sundays Admission: £3.95 (adults) £2.80 (children). The seals are fed at 4 p.m. Tel: 04842728062 for more details.
Groups interested in applying for a grant for next year from the Heritage Council have until December 1st to send in their applications. Submissions will be accepted under the following categories: wildlife, community-based, heritage publications, museums and archives and archaeology. The maximum amount available for a project is £10,000. More details from The Heritage Council, Rothe House, Kilkenny. Tel: 05670777.
There can be few things more meditative than counting the birds in your garden in the frazzled days coming up to Christmas. Birdwatch Ireland is inviting all interested members of the public to join in the biggest winter-bird count of garden birds to date. Many countryside birds use gardens in winter, and the data collected will go towards protecting these birds and their habitats from developmental pressures. Interested? All you need is a windowsill, yard or garden. Send an SAE to ESB Garden Birdwatch 2000/2001, Birdwatch Ireland, 8 Longford Place, Monkstown, Co Dublin, or e-mail bird@indigo.ie for a form and further details on what and how often to feed garden birds in the winter. The starting date for the bird count is December 4th.
