As climate change escalates, competition for fresh water will increase

Waterfall

Courtesy of the EPA

Traffic

You too can help to tackle the issue of climate change. Taking public transport or cycling to your destination can reduce carbon emissions and is only one way of contributing to a greener planet.

© Kevin McLaughlin

sea

Courtesy of stock.xchng

Ruminant Animals

These animals digest plant-based food by initially softening it within the animal's first stomach, known as the rumen, then regurgitating the semi-digested mass, now known as cud, and chewing it again.

Cork Harbour

An aerial photograph of Cork harbour showing some industrial sites, including the location of the old Ford factory.

seasonal foods

Courtown Beach, Co. Wexford

Courtown Beach, Co. Wexford

Courtesy of Wexford County Library

An Irish bog

Peatlands, together with their unique collection of plants and animals, are a seriously endangered European habitat. Ireland is among the last countries in Europe where a wide range of peatlands still exist in their natural state. Peatlands originally covered 17% of the land surface of Ireland, a higher proportion than any other European country, with the exception of Finland. Today less than one quarter of the original peatland area remains in an intact condition. Conservationists predict that if exploitation continues on deeper peat of the midland raised bogs, these will be the first bogs to disappear in this century. Blanket bogs, especially in the West of Ireland, are also under increasing threat.