Living in a sustainable manner: Irish Times columnist Michael Viney is the author of the first pamphlet in a new series aimed at encouraging debate on sustainable development.
'A Living Island - Ireland's Responsibility to Nature' (€2.95) published by Comhar, the national sustainable development partnership, was launched in Dublin on Tuesday. Providing both a philosophical and a historical framework for biodiversity, he argues that "other species and their habitats have an intrinsic claim or 'right' to exist, which is independent of the interests of human beings". He celebrates the reconstruction of the Ballinamore- Ballyconnell Canal, cautions further exploitation of the seas surrounding our coastline and berates the absence of a national biological records centre. It's essential reading for anyone keen to have a more in-depth understanding of Ireland's natural heritage.
Growing ecological deficit
Just as nations track their fiscal deficit, we also need to track our ecological deficits. This is the central tenet of the current exhibition on Ecological Footprints at ENFO. A country's ecological footprint is a measure of the amount of productive land needed to support its consumption and waste. Preliminary calculations of Ireland's ecological footprint rate it as 2.38 hectares per person, or 86,325 km2 - some 1.23 times the size of the State. However, other sources estimate it to be almost six hectares per person. The exhibition shows how we can tread more lightly on our planet. The winning entries for this year's Ballygowan ECO awards are also currently on show.
Both exhibitions continue until May 31st at ENFO, 17 St Andrew's St, Dublin, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
Sustaining thoughts
"Sustainable development has to become something we expect in the same way that we expect gender equality." So said broadcaster and chairman of Comhar, John Bowman at a stimulating Questions and Answers session which followed the launch of Michael Viney's new pamphlet, A Living Island on Tuesday.
The destruction of small farming throughout the world by trade subsidies; the need for strong environmental education (including environmental economics) in our secondary schools, the need for independently funded international organisations to ensure sustainable development and a call for adequate funding for NGOs in Ireland were among the hot topics of the evening. The panel of experts included Helena Norberg-Hodge, founder and director of the International Society for Ecology and Culture (see www.isec.org.uk), Fr Sean McDonagh, chairman of Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment, Gavin Harte, manager of Ireland's first eco-village project, Karin Dubsky, head of Coastwatch Europe, Donal Buckley, head of IBEC's environmental section and Ken Macken from the Environmental Protection Agency. The event was part of this year's Convergence, the sustainable living festival which ends tomorrow.
Crawly but not creepy
Wildlife specialist Éanna Ní Lamhna promises to entertain and inform in her talk on insects at Airfield Trust, Dundrum on Thursday at 8 p.m. Renowned for her enthusiasm about creepy crawlies, Ní Lamhna will be encouraging attendees to "live and let live". Admission €8. Booking on tel: 01-2984301