A tax on both your houses: Irish Friends of the Earth director Oisín Coghlan has called said the Government's climate pollution plan "the ultimate stealth tax".
According to their information, the EPA plan estimates Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions from 2008-2012 will rise to the double acceptable levels as stipulated by the Kyoto Protocol. The average of seven million tons of excess pollution a year will have to be offset by emissions permits. If these remain steady at about €15 a ton, Ireland's extra cost should total about €105 million a year, or €2 million a week, for five years.
Bog day afternoon
Tomorrow you can bog off out of the city and head for Lullymore in Co Kildare, where the Irish Peatland Conservation Council is celebrating International Bog Day at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre. With Ireland boasting the last untouched peatlands in western Europe, you have ample reason to celebrate one of our most useful and treasured natural resources. The programme includes a guided tour of the Peatlands Museum and the nature centre; an illustrated slide show, Bogs in Tierra del Fuego - following in the footsteps of Darwin; and a wildlife tour of Lodge Bog. If you're too bogged down in your work, you can also take a virtual tour of the world's peatlands on their website: www.ipcc.ie. The events take place tomorrow afternoon between 2pm and 5pm, admission free, tel: 045-860133.
Little eyes and butterflies
If you enjoy the colourful display of butterflies in the summer, you might wish to stop by ENFO, where they are hosting an exhibition on these winged insects. Devised by Diarmuid Ó Gráda, the exhibition, called Butterflies and Little Eyes, the exhibition combines information on Irish butterflies, moths and other insects, with photographs by Ó Gráda and references in both Irish and English poetry. Exhibits feature Red Admirals, shield bugs, dragonflies, damselflies and many more of our winged insects. The exhibition runs until August 19th at 17 St Andrew Street, Dublin 2, tel: 01-8883910, www.enfo.ie
What's bugging Ballymun?
Artist Helen Barry is also presenting an exhibition in homage to summer bugs. Titled Bugs, Beetles & Other Insects, the exhibition explores Barry's fascination with these complex creatures, and exposes their intricacies and beauty. Axis Ballymun Arts Centre until August 17th, off Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin, tel: 01-8832100.
Enniskerry walks and talks
The National Environmental Education Centre is hosting its annual open day this afternoon at Knocksink Wood Nature Reserve in Enniskerry. From noon to 4pm, visitors can take part in the Walks and Talks on the ecology of woodlands and topical environmental issues. As well as presenting information about what goes on at this purpose-built educational facility in the valley of the Glencullen River, the open day will also provide games for children, including woodland face-painting. The centre is just north of Enniskerry village on R117, tel: 01-2866609, www.knocksinkwood.org
EcoWeb
www.turtle.ie
Follow the movements of the leatherback turtle found off Ireland and tagged last month. You can also learn more about the leatherback turtle project - and jellyfish - and report sightings of both.