CEF Latest News

Professional Certificate in Strategic Environmental Planning and Sustainability

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:32:00 +0000

Professional Certificate in Strategic Environmental Planning and Sustainability
2nd - 5th July 2012, London

Dear Colleague,

The International Centre for Parliamentary Studies is proud to announce The Professional Certificate in Strategic Environmental Planning and Sustainability which is taking place from the 2nd - 5th of July in London.

The certificate is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute, the leading body that awards internationally recognised management and leadership qualifications.

The certificated programme has been specially designed by our expert staff for those involved in environment and sustainability planning and management. The course will provide participants with an insight into integrated and broad environment and sustainability planning and the management of environmentally accelerated emergencies.

This programme will challenge participants to envision environmental and sustainable planning against the backdrop of a number of key issues, and will examine the opportunities for growth and investment. Using the most relevant case studies, participants will examine a range of environmental strategies to deal with the effects of ecological sustainability, climate change and environmental security and will look at the implications of natural disaster management on strategic plans.

For further information, please visit our website.

If you wish to attend please register online in order to secure your delegate place(s).

Do feel free to circulate this information to relevant colleagues within your organisation or jurisdiction.

Kind regards,

Alun Lloyd Morris
International Centre for Parliamentary Studies
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3137 8641
Fax: +44 (0) 845 606 1539

Schumacher Ireland Summer School 11th -15 June, additional bursaries available

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:15:00 +0000

We now have a new tranche of bursaries available reducing the cost of this course by up to 70%. Details here: http://www.schumacherireland.org/book.html

John Woods

Schumacher Ireland Summer School | www.schumacherireland.org

Visiting Research Associate | School of Law | Queen’s University Belfast

3 Bangor Road | Holywood | Co Down | N Ireland | BT18 0NT

Office: +44(0)28 9042 6513 | Mobile: +44(0)7712 843 213

john@ballykeel.plus.com | j.m.woods@qub.ac.uk

Poster at: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14235850/From%20Crisis%20to%20Resilience%20flier.pdf

Celebrate Biodiversity Day 22nd May 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:04:00 +0000

Tuesday 22^nd May: International Day for Biological Diversity, this year the theme is on Marine Biodiversity. The ocean covers 71 % of the surface area of the globe, and constitutes over 90 % of the habitable space on the planet, “From space, the planet is blue. From space, the planet is the territory. Not of humans, but of the whale.” Heathcote Williams, Whale Nation.

The ocean world is in all our daily lives. Our seas provide us with food (15% of the dietary intake of animal protein) substances derived from seaweeds stabilise and thicken creams, sauces, and pastes, are mixed into paint and used to make paper and even in skin lotion and toothpaste. Many marine plants and animals also contain a multitude of substances already being used, or identified as being of potential use, in medicines. Most importantly of all, tiny marine plants called phytoplankton produce energy, like plants on land, through photosynthesis. As a result of that photosynthesis, they release oxygen. In fact, phytoplankton release half of all oxygen in the atmosphere. Without life in the ocean, there would be no life on Earth. See the report “One Ocean, Many Worlds of Life” http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14235850/Research%2C%20Publications%20%26%20Info/One%20Ocean%20Many%20Worlds%20of%20Life.pdf

CEF in partnership with the Caha Centre is running a Childrens Workshop, however, Marine Biodiversity Day 2012 is an opportunity for any group or individual to celebrate and highlight the rich tapestry of the nearby sea and shore environment. Cork is a coastal county so why not visit your own local shoreline, take a trip on the sea or if diving is your thing explore the depths. If you would like to run an event and advertise through our website we would be happy to promote it for you.

Nationally the following Seminar takes place in Dublin and for further information check out the website and the report “One Ocean, Many Worlds of Life”.

Marine Biodiversity Seminar: Protecting marine life for future generations

Launch of the Marine Institute’s Ground fish Survey Atlas

World Biodiversity Day: Tuesday, 22 May 2012

Jointly organised

by the Marine Institute and the Marine Group of the Environmental Pillar

and kindly hosted by the EC representation in Ireland in the European Union House, 18 Dawson St, Dublin 2

9.00-1pm

To register please complete the attached form and forward to:

Justin Byrne, Administrator, Irish Environmental Network by 15 May.

Email: Justin@ien.ie (Tel: 01 878 0116).

Glengarriff BioBlitz 18th/19th May - National Biodiversity Data Centre

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Fri, 18 May 2012 08:41:00 +0000

Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve

Date: 18 May 12 - 19 May 2012

Time: 5 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday

Location: Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve

On May 18th/19th, Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve will be one of four venues in Ireland taking part in BioBlitz, which is an annual event organised by the National Biodiversity Data Centre to celebrate the rich natural heriatge of Ireland. This is the first time Glengarriff was chosen to take part and it's also the first year a site in Northern Ireland is participating. The aim of the event is for scientists and ecologists to come together and record as many species as possible in 24 hours (from 5pm Friday to 5pm
Saturday).

Glengarriff has a great array of experts lined up to cover areas as diverse as moths, lichens, fish, mammals and woodland plants. However, there will also be events for the public to demonstrate how scientists and ecologists go about finding and identifying wildlife.

There will be events such as a Bat Walk with the Cork Bat Group (9pm Friday 18th), Dawn Chrous with BirdWatch West Cork (4:30am
Saturday 19th), Nature Walk with NPWS (11am Saturday 19th) and Tracks and Bugs with 'Streamscapes' (2pm Saturday).

Keep an eye on the BioBlitz Facebook page and the BioBlitz website: http://bioblitz.biodiversityireland.ie/glengariff-nature-reserve/

For more information you can also contact the Conservation Ranger in Glengarriff Woods,

Clare Heardman clare.heardman@ahg.gov.ie

Ocean to City Festival - Family coastal cycle & picnic Sat 2nd June

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Fri, 18 May 2012 08:28:00 +0000

As part of this year's festival, a family-friendly coastal cycle & picnic will take place on race-day, Saturday 2nd June, 2012 gathering at Cork city hall from 9:30am and heading to Passage West & Monkstown with two 'pick-up' points along the route.

The motivation behind this is to highlight the beautiful Cork harbour area & cycle route, to promote cycling and to support the rowers taking part in An Rás Mór.

For more information & route map see http://www.oceantocity.com/en/event/events/coastal-cycle.html.
The cycle is being organised in conjunction with the Cork Cycling Festival (http://www.corkcyclingfestival.com).

This year's festival also includes An Rás Mór, Blackrock Youth Race & Festival, Photography Competition, Harbour Cruises, Angling Day, Navy Tours, Dragon Boat-Currach-Kayak try outs, Triskel Movies, Cork Harbour School and Cllr Kieran McCarthy's Build a Model Boat competition.... For more info & full programme, see www.oceantocity.com

If you wish to be removed from this distribution list, please contact me.
Feel free to distribute and add to your website, blog, facebook etc. All support appreciated.

Kind regards & thanks,
Diarmuid Mulcahy

Ocean to City - An Rás Mór
c/o Meitheal Mara,
Crosses Green,
Cork, Ireland.

T) 00 353 21 4847673
M) 00 353 86 2046357
web: www.oceantocity.com
Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/0ceantocity
Twitter: Oceantocity

Claiming Our Future Events

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:44:00 +0000

Register now for the Reinventing our Democracy event on May 26 in Croke Park. The event is filling up, so don't miss this opportunity to make your mark.

This debate is urgent as the economic crisis deepens the fault lines in our already flawed democracy. Claiming our Future needs your participation to develop our agenda for change and to identify how best to advocate for this change. In order to support your participation on the day, we have prepared materials that cover some of the topics to be discussed. Find out more by visiting our website, or visit our YouTube channel by clicking on the link below. We will be putting up more materials in the period leading up to the event, so do stay linked. We welcome any responses or comments on these materials.
Building a Resilient Community and Economy in Kerry.

Transition Kerry and Claiming Our Future invite you to a gathering in the Carlton Hotel, Tralee on Saturday, May 12—from 10am to 3.30pm. While the deliberations will focus primarily on Kerry, the discussion will address challenges that face many communities in Ireland. Over the course of the day, we hope to develop an agenda for action that makes enhancing resilience a priority in both policy and practice. All welcome—register here:

Regards

Claiming Our Future

Ombudspersons for Future Generations

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:41:00 +0000

Ombudspersons for Future Generations

Finding a solution to the short-term interests and ongoing unsustainable practices driving our societies and economies is a recurring issue. Few innovative ideas have emerged, fewer are being fully implemented and, as a consequence, we are exceeding planetary boundaries, threatening the security and wellbeing of those around us and those who follow us.

There is a way of challenging mainstream politics from within, guaranteeing that sustainable development and long-term thinking are part of decisions in all areas from the start. Appointing a legal representative, an Ombudsperson for Future Generations that actively speaks up in the name of future generations can help bring the necessary checks and balances to our political systems.

The Problems:

· Sustainable development and other issues relevant to the future of the people and of our planet are left until the end of decision-making processes, if taken into account at all. Even in the sustainable development debate, economic issues tend to dominate.

· Many promises are made, yet too often they are put aside because of current economic or employment worries, with the false perception that there are no connections between issues and the unfounded assumption that sustainable politics is having a negative impact on the latter.

· We still know very little about whether or not our politicians are really thinking about all the important areas that affect the decision, and what long term consequences they may have in people’s lives.

Over the last 64 years, since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was proclaimed in 1948, all human rights, the civil and political as well economic, social and cultural rights have come to be accepted and have evolved into a commonly shared standard to measure the performance of our political institutions. Yet present institutions currently fail to respect and honor the rights of future generations, or even consider the needs of those who are yet to come.

A Solution is the creation of Ombudspersons for Future Generations:

1. Independent office outside of government

Much like an inspector or auditor that cannot make new rules but can ensure that those making the rules are keeping to their promises, the Ombudsperson monitors government policy to assess the likely impact on future generations. Independence means that the Ombudsperson can take the long-term view and is not influenced by short-term political and economic interests or market driven solutions.

2. Direct Access

The office is an important tool that provides us as citizens with direct access to the heart of decision making, hugely improving the legitimacy of governments.

3. Transparent and Informative

The office would keep all reports and functions open to the public.

This June, a United Nations conference will take place in Rio de Janeiro, 20 years after the first 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Rio + 20 will be the biggest world gathering on the topic of sustainability ever, and we are all looking for real decisions to be made there. Rather than more soft promises pushing responsibility another 20 years into the future, we need to see some concrete and immediate institutional decisions to be taken. Ombudspersons for Future Generations is a concrete proposal that has already shown results in Hungary, Wales , New Zealand and other countries where it has been introduced.

Ombudsperson for Future Generations is a fundamental step towards effective, meaningful, and democratic change.

Be part of that change! By signing the petition, tell your country’s leaders we need a future generation defender.

Sign the petition now to demand a planet defender for your country!

Once signed, you will be joining a list of signatories from all over the world, all eager for positive change. Before Heads of State arrive in Rio on the 20 June, we will be sending this petition to them, along with your signature. Please watch this space for an update on the final number of signatories and the complete list of Heads of State we write to.

http://www.righttothefuture.org/RFPeticaoEN

European Sustainability Camp @ The Hollies, Enniskeane

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:40:00 +0000

Places are still available on a European Sustainability Camp at The Hollies Centre near Enniskeane.
Irish residents aged 18 to 25 years can apply to The Hollies Centre for Practical Sustainability to spend a week with young people from Spain and Portugal between 13 - 20 June 2012. They will get hands-on experience with organic gardening, building houses and baking ovens with natural materials as well as learning about conflict resolution and other life skills.
We are still looking for a number of participants for this youth exchange which is part funded by the European Commission under their Youth in Action programme. All tutors of The Hollies are involved with this camp by teaching skills that are designed to help dealing with the challenges of our times: economic downturn, climate change and the need for a more environmentally friendly and healthy way of life. The group of around 30 young people will also experience living in community and learning from each other in a multi-cultural setting.
This unique camp will take place between the 13th and the 20th June at The Hollies Centre near Enniskeane, Co.Cork and comes with an opportunity for a return visit to the Eco-Village Lakabe in the Spanish Pyrennees between 27 October - 4 November and a visit to the Portuguese Transition Town project Aldeia das Amoreiras around Easter 2013.
More information is available at http://theholliesonline.com
Cost: € 150.
For booking a place e-mail to info@theholliesonline.com.

Best wishes,

Thomas Riedmuller

Irish Rail - Community Support Initiative

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:14:00 +0000

The Journey's on Us - New Community Support Initiative: apply for free group travel for community/voluntary groups

30 April 2012

Iarnród Éireann has launched a new community initiative to support organisations and groups in the voluntary, community, sporting and charity sector.

The initiative, entitled "The Journey's On Us", will provide up to €200,000 worth of group travel to organisations in the sector who apply for the scheme in 2012.

Under the initiative, 100 groups of up to 50 people per group will receive a free return group travel journey from Iarnród Éireann, across any of the company's services. The travel facilities will be ideal in particular for organisations bringing a group to a special event, or as part of a specific support to the members of the group which requires travel.

Further information and terms and conditions are available at www.irishrail.ie/journeys

Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Dick Fearn said of the initiative "the role of the railway is to connect communities. Through this exciting new initiative, we will help those who do most to bring communities together, and we anticipate to a strong response from groups in this sector from around the country. We want to hear of the excellent work being done, and how this new initiative can help that work."

The initiative is also being supported by The Mooney Show on RTÉ Radio 1.

Gunpowder Trail Walk & Notice re Heritage Week

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Wed, 09 May 2012 08:39:00 +0000

Walk the Gunpowder Trail, Ballincollig on 19^th May at 2pm – see link: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14235850/WALK%20THE%20GUNPOWDER%20TRAIL%20%20with%20Jenny%20Webb%2019th%20May%202012.pdf

Heritage Week will run from 18^th August to 26^th August this year and as in previous years, Cork County Council are planning to develop a County Leaflet to promote local county events for Heritage Week.

This will be distributed in the county through the library network, public offices of the local authority, tourist offices and, with your support, more locally through your own networks. If you are interested in having your event(s) promoted on this leaflet, please fill in the enclosed Heritage Week Registration Form – County Programme and return to the Heritage Unit, Cork County Council, Floor 3, County Hall, Cork by 22^nd June 2012. Alternatively you can e-mail your information to conor.nelligan@corkcoco.ie . If you have any further queries you can contact Conor Nelligan on 021 4285905.

Cork Cycling Campaign - Appeal for volunteers for Cycle Count 10th May 7.30am - 9.30am

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:53:00 +0000

Cycle Count this Thursday 10th May 2012. 7.30 -9.30am

Would you be able to help us with the cycle count on Thursday morning? Or do you know anyone else who might be willing to help? Please contact Adam D'Arcy, Cork Cycling Campaign at corkcyclingcampaign@yahoo.ie

or check us out on facebook www.corkcyclingcampaign.com

Part of www.cyclist.ie

Nash's Boreen Summer Evening Walks

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:20:00 +0000

Please find attached the invite at http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14235850/The%20Nashs%20Boreen%20Walks%20invite%202012.pdf to an upcoming launch of summer walking on Nashs Boreen on May 9^th. For further information contact:

Joanne McNamara

Community Health Worker (Farranree)

Health Service Executive - South

North Lee Community Work Department

Old Library

St Mary Road

Cork

T: 0867872265

Smoky Coal Ban & 7th EAP

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:30:00 +0000

Consultation calls

Review and Public Consultation of the Smoky Coal Ban Regulations

Closing Date: Thursday, 17th May 2012

On 12 April 2012 Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan T.D., announced a review and public consultation of the 'smoky coal ban' regulations. The purpose of the consultation exercise is to inform and assist a review of the smoky coal ban regulations to ensure that they remain fit for purpose in safeguarding air quality by limiting harmful emissions of air pollutants arising from the use of residential fuels.

EU Commission wants your views on priority objectives for the environment

Closing Date: 1st June, 2012

The Commission has launched a public consultation to gather views on the 7th EU Environmental Action Programme (7th EAP), which will set out priority objectives to be pursued up until 2020. The consultation remains open until 1 June. European Commissioner for Environment Janez Potočnik said: "The EU is home to some of the most ambitious environmental rules to be found anywhere in the world.

From Crisis to Resilience: rethinking Ireland's economic future

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:42:00 +0000

Schumacher Ireland Summer School

From crisis to resilience: rethinking Ireland's economic future

exploring the transition to a sustainable society on the island of Ireland

 Immerse yourself in Schumacher College's unique brand of transformative learning.

 Learn alongside four teachers who are international leaders in their fields.

 Examine fundamental questions about the nature of the economic crisis and explore how we can make the transition to a low-carbon, high well-being and resilient society.

11th-15th June 2012

Camphill Community Glencraig, Holywood, Co Down

Bursaries available. For further information go to www.schumacherireland

The Grid Project

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:37:00 +0000

A major new Electricity Project called the Grid Link Project has been launched on behalf of EirGrid.

This project is a proposed upgrade of the electricity grid in the south and east of Ireland through the development of a new 400 kV power line linking Leinster and Munster.

There will be a public Open Information Day in Midleton on 2^nd May 2012 @ 8.00pm in Midleton Park Hotel.

Also, the EirGrid Midleton Information Centre will be open every Monday from 12 noon to 6pm @ Oikoseen House, Castleredmond (on the Bailick road), Midleton.

For more information, please contact:

T: 1890422122

E: gridlink@eirgrid.com

A: The Grid Link Project Manager, EirGrid, P.O. Box 12213, Glenageary, Co Dublin.

W: www.eirgridprojects.com/gridlink

SWAN Research Project: The Common Agricultural Policy: Interactions with the Water Framework Directive and implications for the status of Ireland's waters.

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:45:00 +0000

SWAN Research Project: The Common Agricultural Policy: Interactions with the Water Framework Directive and implications for the status of Ireland’s waters.

The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN)[1] requires a researcher or research team for a desk-based analysis of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the impacts and interaction of this on the status of Ireland’s inland waters, coastal waters, groundwaters and wetlands. This should include:

· An analysis of the key features of the CAP which drive agricultural practises posing a threat to the ecological status of Ireland’s waters and wetlands and to the achievement of Water Framework Directive (WFD) objectives;

· A critical analysis of provisions in the Commission Proposal for CAP reform and an assessment of what, if any, the benefits of this are for the aquatic and wetland environment;

· Recommendations for measures/amendments to the Commission proposal for CAP reform, under both Pillars, which would optimise the potential of the CAP to support WFD compliance and protection of aquatic resources.

This analysis of CAP should be supported by international case studies and best practise and carried out in the context of, and with regard to, current environmental and agriculture policy and legislation in Ireland, including the requirements of the WFD; current status of Nitrates Directive implementation and the potential implications of Food Harvest 2020 production targets for the aquatic environment.

An important element of the analysis will be consultation with a number of key decision-makers and relevant stakeholders.

The project output will be two reports: A technical report on the findings of the review with academic and other references (including an executive summary) and a summary report for policy/decision-makers.

A more detailed tender brief is available on request from info@swanireland.ie

The project deadline is August 15^th 2012; however earlier delivery will be viewed favourably. Proposals should be submitted by email to Sinead O’Brien, Coordinator, Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) at sobrien@swanireland.ie by Thursday May 10^th 2012.

[1] The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) is an umbrella network of 25 of Ireland’s leading environmental NGOs, national and regional, working to protect Ireland’s aquatic resources through active engagement in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and other water-related policy & legislation.

Sinead O'Brien

COORDINATOR

Sustainable Water Network (SWAN)

9 Upper Mount Street

Dublin 2

01 6425583

sobrien@swanireland.ie

Putting a Value on Nature - the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:49:00 +0000

Please find following details of this talk which will take place at the IIEA offices at 8 North Great Georges Street in Dublin.

About this Event http://www.iiea.com/events/putting-a-value-on-nature--the-economics-of-ecosystems-and-biodiversity

03 May 2012 @ 12:45

About the Speech:

Pavan Sukhdev argues that if we accounted for the true value of nature and the services it provides to society, such as freshwater, forests, food, clean air and medicine, we would stop wasting it. The loss of natural capital is estimated to cost over $2 trillion annually, according to the groundbreaking Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity study led by Dr. Sukhdev. In his address, Dr. Sukhdev will outline his vision for how to end the economic invisibility of nature and will make the economic case for environmental conservation.

About the Speaker:

Pavan Sukhdev has been described as “nature’s banker” and is a global thought leader on the green economy. A speaker at Davos in 2010 and 2011, he chairs the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Councilon Biodiversity. He is the Lead Author of the G8+5 commissioned report on The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Head of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Green Economy Initiativeand author of its Green Economy Report. He is the co-founder of GIST advisory, an environmental consulting firm. A career banker, on sabbatical from Deutsche Bank, Dr. Sukhdev currently holds the McCluskey Fellowship at Yale.

This address is the fourth event in the 2012 ESB Lecture Series.

Kind regards

Michael Ewing

Coordinator

The Environmental Pillar

Heritage Talk & Walk Ballincollig Park Sat. 21st April & May Day Customs

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

For those of you who are interested there is a heritage event taking place this coming Saturday, 21^st, in the Regional Park, Ballincollig. The event takes in a talk and walk in the Park, identifying trees, plants and their uses for food and medicine (talk by Nikki Darrell). The meeting point is the car park at the Western End of the Regional Park and the duration of the event is from 14:30 to 16:00. It would be great if many of you could attend.

I also thought I would mention about the National Museum of Ireland (Country Life Division) and the survey they are undertaking in tandem with the Linenhall Arts Centre. The Survey is entitled “May On Our Doorstep” which is a celebration of May Day Customs in Ireland see link http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14235850/May%20on%20Our%20Doorstep%20information.pdf - traditionally to celebrate the coming of the summer, i.e. may bushes, may flowers, may poles and may bonfires, etc. If you have any photographs; memories you would like to share; or if you indeed still celebrate May Day, please see the attached and make sure to visit the Our Irish Heritage Website.

It would be great if you could circulate this email to any other interested persons/groups.

Thanking you,

Le meas,

Conor

Conor Nelligan

S/ Heritage Officer

Cork County Council

Earth Day Sunday 22nd April 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:57:00 +0000

EARTH DAY 22^ND APRIL 2012 – MOBILISE THE EARTH

This year, the theme for Earth Day is Mobilize the Earth. The 42nd Anniversary of Earth Day will bring together an unprecedented amount of individuals and organizations alike to celebrate the environment. The ‘Mobilize the Earth’ campaign aims to simply say that the Earth won’t wait. In the midst of the global recession, it seems that environmental issues have been put on the back burner; however, these problems will not subside simply because we ignore them. This campaign calls for people across the planet to unite and speak with one voice. The time has come for our leaders to put us on the path to sustainability and address our economic future by backing the green economic seriously.

Earth Day Network will also continue to achieve the goal of registering A Billion Acts of Green® before the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro (Rio+20) in June 2012. A Billion Acts of Green® aims to mobilize one billion acts of environmental service around the world, calling all individuals to commit an act that helps reduce carbon emissions and promotes sustainability. The act can be a simple gesture, such as washing laundry in cold water, or immense, like picking up a million pounds of trash. For more information click on this link http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14235850/Earth%20Day%202012.pdf

GIY - Growing Food for Beginners and Old hands Sunday 15th April

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:34:00 +0000

Grow-It-Yourself (GIY) are hosting an afternoon of talks around Growing food for Beginners and Old Hands. The talks will be led by Kitty Scully from RTE's 'How to create a Garden'. The event takes place on Sunday, 15^th April from 2pm at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Little Island. GIY is a national charity with the vision for a healthier, more connected and more sustainable world where people grow their own food. The organisation brings people together in community groups and online to inspire and empower them to grow vegetables. The main talk on the day will be entitled 'Grow your way to 5-a-day' and Kitty Scully will be explaining here how easy and rewarding it is to get started. She will also demonstrate Seed Sowing and later in the afternoon she will be taking questions from the audience in an Ask the Expert session. In addition, Peter Dowdall will talk on Pests, Diseases and Remedies and Local Projects will be introduced. Tickets for the event at €5 pp are available on the door or beforehand from the GIY Website. For more information view www.giyireland.com or call 051 302 191.

Best Wishes,

Carmen Cronin
GIY Regional Champion/ Munster
087 611 75 38

An Taisce Spring Clean Month events in Midleton

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:07:00 +0000

Midleton Tidy Towns is organising a coordinated National Spring Clean week for 5 days in the week of Monday 23 to Friday 27 April next.

A concerted effort will be made to clean up the entire Owenacurra Estuary from the Pontoon Walk behind Aldi; from the Dwyers Road side to the Ballyannan Wood shoreline
and across to the Bailick Road shoreline.

Both CBS Transition Year Students and St Mary's girls will be helping to clean up litter and debris on each day from 9.30am for 2 hours. The meeting point each day is at the Public Park (Seven Hills) on the Bailick Road.

Adult volunteers are needed to supervise the school groups each day and we are appealing to local residents to come and help. Please bring suitable all weather clothing and wellingons or boots. Gloves, vests and bags will be provided.

The Owenacurra River and Bailick estuary are part of the larger Cork Harbour complex which is an internationally renowned wintering area for many waders and wildfowl as well as a Special Protected Area (SPA). It also encopasses several Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).

Local An Taisce representatives will also be on hand to assist us with this project.

School groups and other volunteers of all ages are welcome to come and help.

Nick Becker
Secretary - Midleton Tidy Towns Association
16 Chestnut Drive
Midleton
Co. Cork
Ireland
Tel +353 (0)85 774 2400
email nickbecker39@gmail.com

West Cork Garden - Kickstarter Appeal

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:56:00 +0000

Please take a moment to look at the Kickstarter Project which involves Peter Little of Hortisculptures whom CEF has commissioned for the past two years to create the Environmental Award sculptural pieces.

“We are one of the twenty gardens selected for the 20th anniversary of the Chaumont sur Loire International Art and Garden Festival in France. This year the theme of the event is 'Gardens of Delight, Gardens of Delirium'. The Festival features only 20 installations chosen from hundreds of applicants. For us, the opportunity to participate in a prestigious international event like this is not only invaluable but one of the few opportunities we have to fully explore the integration of sculpture and garden if you haven’t seen the site before it’s a donation based website to help artists launch projects, where you receive something in return!”

An interesting aspect is the engagement of this project with CLEVEL an organisation which combines the best ethical carbon offsets with exciting ways to engage people and communicate.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1985498782/mag-mell-creating-an-irish-paradise?ref=live

www.Hortisculptures.com

Family Walks from Lee Valley Walking

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:28:00 +0000

Lee Valley Walking will launch its family walks programme on Saturday April 7^th (Easter Saturday) with a walk to St Gobnait's Shrine in Ballyvourney via St Gobnait's Wood.

Each walk will have a focus of interest including local stories and folklore, archaeology, nature, the landscape etc.

The story of St Gobnait is a fascinating and families will hear how she came to be in Ballyvourney, her freindship with bees and the archaeological excavation of the site in the 1950s.

St Gobnait's Wood is springing to life now with wood anemones the harbingers of spring in flower. The birds are also active and in full voice.

Initially Lee Valley Walking will run one walk each month on Saturdays from April to August. Additional walks will be provided subject to demand.

The walks are of two hours duration starting at 10.30am and finishing at 12.30 and cost €20 per family for up to two adults and three children.

Walks are suitable for children of school-going age.

Lee Valley Walking has been providing guided walks in the Lee Valley, West Cork and Kerry since 1999. A walks Sunday programme is run year-round. Wednesday evening walks are held from May to August. Monday morning walks very suitable for those who haven't done hill-walking before are run from April (16^th) to June in a series of ten walks.

For more details see www.leevalleywalking.com or phone Catherine on 026 45642, phone or text 087 2231225.

CEF Green Drinks April & May 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:33:00 +0000

GREEN DRINKS

THE ARCH BAR, DUNMANWAY

TUESDAY 10^TH APRIL @ 8PM

including

AN INTRODUCTION TO ESTABLISHING

A NEW CURRENCY

Phoebe Bright will introduce her work

with FEASTA on developing a new currency.

THE LV BAR, McCURTAIN ST., CORK

THURSDAY 10^TH MAY @ 6.30PM

Green drinks is a get together to allow people with an interest in sustainability and the environment to chat in an informal way.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Earth Hour Event Kinsale 31st March

noreply@blogger.com (Cork Environmental Forum) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 07:53:00 +0000

We’re having an event here in Kinsale to mark earth hour. Reckon we are going to have a big turnout and we’re hoping we have another memorable Earth Hour like last year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqenPTgbg4w . Please see following link for poster.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14235850/Earth%20Hour%20Poster%205.pdf

With thanks, Liz

Elizabeth Creed

Transition Town Kinsale

Mobile 087 2894077

Phone 021 4706012