A diverse line-up of international speakers, including Venezuelan economists, Irish Government Ministers, British oilmen, Canadian bankers, Chinese academics, and the US's first-ever secretary of energy, will gather this autumn in Cork for the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas's annual conference.
Poring over peak oil
Entitled Time to React, the conference, which comes to Ireland for the first time, is targeting the general public and more seasoned students of peak oil - the theory that global oil production will peak and then go into terminal decline.
Even the most optimistic forecasts suggest society faces a truly significant challenge in dealing with peak oil, and this will occur within the context of the equally grave challenge of global warming.
The conference, on September 17th and 18th, will focus on supply and demand projections and how to create energy security for some eight billion people. See www.aspo-ireland.org
Sustainable celebration
Local solutions to climate change are the focus of next weekend's festival in Bantry, Co Cork organised by Sustain West Cork. Running from August 24th to 26th, the event mixes serious discussion about sustainable rural economy with art and music. Christy Moore tops the bill on the opening night after a presentation by photographer Mark Edwards about his recent book, Hard Rain, which documents global environmental collapse.
Guest speakers include film producer David Puttnam, currently chair of the British joint committee on climate change, Jonathon Porritt, chairman of Britain's sustainable development commission, and local community campaigners. Sunday is family day with children's theatre, toy-making workshops, and a parade followed by traditional music and an outdoor céilí. See www.sustainwestcork.com
Here's to our heritage
More than 800 events will take place in every county across Ireland to celebrate Heritage Week 2007, starting next Saturday.
Activities include guided tours and historical re-enactments, wildlife walks, boat trips, storytelling and music performances, craft master classes, bat walks and even bug hunts.
Organised by the Heritage Council, the festival aims to raise awareness of our built, natural and cultural heritage, and encourage its conservation and preservation.
Most activities are free of charge.
See www.heritageweek.ie, call 1850-200878 or e-mail events@heritagecouncil.com
Wild about herbs
The pioneering Irish company, Irish Organic Herbs, continues its mission of educating the public with two tours this month. The first is tomorrow at 2.30pm at Gleann na Smaointe nature farm, Ballinreesig, Ballygarvan, Co Cork. Naturopath and herbalist Margie Lynch and the farm's head herb grower, David Maloney, will lead a farm walk, followed by herbal refreshments. The fee is €10.
On Sunday, August 26th, Éanna Ní Lamhna will lead a free wild plant and herb walk around the grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Kilmainham, Dublin 8 at 2.30pm. To book, call 087-6287085.
EcoWeb
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