October

2011 INFOMAR Call for Applied Research Proposals Announced

02/11/2011

INFOMAR - the Integrated Mapping For the Sustainable Development of Ireland’s Marine Resource, is a joint venture between the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Marine Institute. The programme is a successor to the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS) and concentrates on creating a range of integrated mapping products of the physical, chemical and biological features of the seabed in the near-shore area.

Included in the objectives of the INFOMAR Programme, under strand 3, Value Added Exploitation is the objective to deliver “A programme of national and international value added research to leverage the skills, expertise and data from the Irish National Seabed Survey and INFOMAR”.

To this end the programme is engaging in a call for research proposals. The research call is designed largely to fund applied desk studies with an optional field work component. INFOMAR are keen to promote research and industry partnership, and encourage applied collaborative proposals, particularly in areas which may be subject to future commercial opportunities, growth, and / or jobs.

Applicants should note that:

Work will be completed and reported before end calendar year 2012.

Projects will have a budget of  €30,000 or less

While indicative research topics are given below, any area of activity of the INFOMAR Programme is open for proposals.

The closing date for receipt of application is Wednesday 9th November at 1600 hours.

Please see the Marine Institute website for further details.

Source: Marine Institute
 

Bird Watching for Beginners at Dublin Zoo

02/11/2011

Dublin Zoo will host a bird watching morning for beginners on Sunday 20th November from 11am to 12.30pm. The guide will help you to learn about changes in plumage, weather conditions and different habitats. As places are limited, prior booking is essential. Please call the Education Department on (01) 4748932 or email education@dublinzoo.ie.

This event is free for annual pass holders. A charge of 10 will apply to adult non-annual pass holders and children are free.

One year countdown begins for Ireland’s first electricity interconnector to Great Britain

28/10/2011

The largest state energy infrastructure project, connecting the Irish electricity grid and Great Britain advanced significantly yesterday as work began to lay cables under the sea bed of the Irish Sea. The €600m East West Interconnector project is being developed by EirGrid – the independent electricity transmission system operator in the Republic of Ireland.

The Interconnector is essential strategic economic infrastructure linking Ireland to the much larger energy markets of Britain and Europe. It involves the laying of 180 kilometres of undersea and approximately 80 kilometres of underground cables to enable the flow of electricity in both directions between Ireland and Great Britain.

The ESRI issued a report this week which confirmed that the creation of a single EU-wide electricity market offers significant benefits for Ireland. The report,concluded that ‘the single EU electricity market should result in lower electricity prices and increased competition as suppliers from Great Britain and beyond will be able to enter the Irish market.’

Source: Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Cloudbusters

28/10/2011

A 200 metre tower, located in Holland, is one of the new tools being used to crack one of the trickiest problems in climate science – clouds. Data gathered from this tower is feeding into a European Union research project called EUCLIPSE. It is essential research because the cloud question has profound implications for the study of climate change.

The climate modelling scientist and contributor to the UN’s IPCC reports on climate change, Sandrine Bony, has stated that “Different types of clouds have different impacts on radiation and on the energy balance of the Earth. For example, low clouds have a significant cooling effect because they are strong reflectors of the sun, but they contribute little to the greenhouse effect. On the other hand, very high clouds have a considerable impact on the greenhouse effect, and a rather weak cooling effect.”

The findings from this research study will be fed into the next IPCC report on climate change, due out in 2013.

Source: EC Research and Information

Minister Phil Hogan launches national campaign to remind people of the environmental benefits of battery recycling

27/10/2011

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan T.D has launched a new campaign to remind everyone to “Bring Batteries Back”, a nationwide initiative to encourage more battery recycling in Ireland.  WEEE Ireland and ERP, the compliance schemes approved by the Minister responsible for WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and waste battery recycling will be facilitating the campaign through their network of battery collection boxes in retail outlets, recycling centres and other collection points nationwide.

With Halloween only a few days away, The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, ERP and WEEE Ireland are using the season to remind Irish people of the “scary” consequences of not recycling used batteries. Batteries contain potentially harmful chemicals and heavy metals, and can cause damage to the environment if not recycled properly.

Further information is available on the website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

UK offshore wind transmission link gets funding

26/10/2011

£52m of funding for the transmission link to the Walney 1 offshore wind farm off the English coast in the Irish Sea will be provided by the European Investment Bank, the EU's long-term lending institution. Blue Transmission Walney 1 Limited has been granted a licence to own and operate the offshore transmission link by Ofgem E-Serve, the UK energy regulator’s business unit focusing on environmental programmes and delivery of sustainability projects.

Simon Brooks, European Investment Bank Vice-President for the UK, said “Operation of the Walney transmission link will help reduce the overall cost of energy produced by offshore wind. Support for renewable energy across Europe, including grid links and windfarms, is essential for ensuring infrastructure investment that promotes climate action.”

Source: EU Press

Farm policy reform: cut bureaucracy for farmers and rethink greening measures

25/10/2011

To meet growing demand for secure supplies of high-quality food and at the same time step up competitiveness in the face of growing market pressures, EU farm policy must become fairer and less  bureaucratic, said EU Agriculture Committee MEPs yesterday. Neither should "greening" measures hinder cultivation of arable land, they added.

Proposed new rules unveiled by the Commission on 12 October would link support for farmers with "greening" measures, such as maintaining permanent pasture and crop diversification, but also set aside 7% of farming land, a measure criticised by many MEPs. "It is in medium and long term interest of farmers to have greening component in direct payments", said Commissioner Cioloş.

Proposals to cap direct payments for bigger farms and a new requirement to set aside 7% of arable land will simply create a "huge bureaucratic monster", said Peter Jahr (EPP, DE). He was echoed by  Mairead McGuinness (EPP, IE), who said the proposed measures were "all but simple".

Source: EU Press

Urban green areas and roofs regulate temperature and reduce energy

25/10/2011

New research recently published by a group of US and Italian researchers highlights the positive effects of plants and trees in cities in terms of energy conservation. It was observed that covering roofs with plants, rather than black roofs, reduces the energy required to heat and cool buildings.The researchers also compared temperature fluctuations on black, white and green roofs. Their results revealed that white and green roofs keep the temperature more constant compared to black roofs, meaning that less energy has to be used to control the temperature of buildings.

Source: Globe-Net

EPA releases Annual Report for 2010

24/10/2011

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published its Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2010. 

In launching the report, Mr Dara Lynott, Acting Director General of the EPA, said:

“2010 was a challenging year in which the EPA worked hard to protect and improve the natural environment despite the difficult economic circumstances. The EPA has a clear focus on making the right decisions for the environment based upon the evidence we gather on the quality of the environment.”

In May this year the EPA underwent a comprehensive Review by an independent and expert Review Group. The Review, which is published on the EPA website, involved an open and transparent process (130 submissions were received, 13 in depth engagements were undertaken with key stakeholders). 

Source: EPA

New Sustainable Energy Communities Commit to Energy Saving Projects

24/10/2011

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) announced last week that Tralee, Dublin City and Tallaght as the three new exemplar Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC), all of whom will commit to specific energy saving projects for the next five years. The communities were selected from 14 local authorities for having a visionary co-ordinated approach to energy savings and integrating sustainable energy into community planning and development. The selection of the three SECs follows a competitive selection process and builds on the success of Ireland’s pilot SEC, Dundalk 2020.

Further information available on the SEAI website.

Public Consultation: EU Emissions Trading Scheme Phase III (2013-2020)

19/10/2011

The EPA has published a draft preliminary free allocations under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme Phase III for public consultation.

The revision of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme has made substantial changes to the scope of the scheme and also to the methodology and level of free allocation of allowances to installations covered by the scheme from 2013 onwards. The new phase includes a greater emphasis on auctioning of allowances and harmonised rules for free allocation.

Submissions in relation to this draft allocation table can be made by any person or organisation. Submissions should be made in writing no later than 5 pm on Friday 04 November 2011.

Full details of the changes to the EU Emissions Scheme are available on the European Commission: Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)web pages.

Submissions should be made in writing no later than 5 pm on Friday 04 November 2011 to:
EU ETS 2013-2020 Draft Allocations Public Consultation
Climate Change and Environmental Research Unit,
Office of Climate, Licensing, Research and Resource Use,
Environmental Protection Agency,
McCumiskey House,
Richview,
Clonskeagh Road,
Dublin 14, Ireland.

Submissions may also be made by email to ghgpermit@epa.ie  with the heading EU ETS 2013-2020 Draft Allocations Public Consultation in the subject field, to arrive no later than 5 pm on Friday 04 November 2011.

Further information: Annette Cahalane/ Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office 053-9170770 (24 hours) or media@epa.ie

NUI Galway Student Wins Floating Wind Turbine Prize

19/10/2011

Ciaran Kennedy, a PhD student in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at NUI Galway, recently won two prizes at the 30th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering (OMAE 2011) held in The Netherlands. He was presented with first prize for innovation, and second prize overall, in a floating wind turbine challenge, as part of a team of four international PhD students. The challenge was organised by the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) and the International Network on Offshore Renewable Energy (INORE).

Source: Environment & Energy Management

Science for Environment Policy: issue 257 available online

19/10/2011

Science for Environment Policy issue 257 is now available online. Articles include:

• Mapping helps visualise complex environmental risk assessment
• Environmental impacts of electric vehicle batteries weighed up
• Urban vegetation could be an undervalued carbon sink
• First steps to eliminate hazardous chemicals in plastic
• Land use and water consumption patterns in urban and tourist areas
• New holistic method for assessing Natura 2000 landscapes

Will your city be Europe’s Green Capital?

18/10/2011

Does your city deserve European-wide recognition for its hard work in meeting the environmental challenges our society is facing? Should your city be considered a leading destination for green tourism and green industry in Europe?

Applying for the 2014 edition of the European Green Capital could help your city gain the green reputation it deserves. Participating in the competition is a unique opportunity for your city to become an example at a European level and an ambassador for a better and greener world – just look at Hamburg, European Green Capital 2011. And what’s more, being awarded the Green Capital title can not only bring great advantages to your city’s image but also help boost its economy and attract tourists.

Applications for the next edition of the award will close on 14 October 2011. Make sure your city is Europe’s Green Capital 2014!

Information for mayors and city administrators that wish to apply is available on the Green Capital website

Source: EU Press

Charge and park Electric Car Facility in Q-Park Clerys, Dublin

ESB Electric Car Charge Point

17/10/2011

ESB ecars has launched electric car charge points in Q-Park Clerys multi-storey car park, in the heart of Dublin city centre.This will enable motorists to charge their car while they are shopping, dining or carrying out business in the city centre. The charge points are part of the ESB charging infrastructure network which is being rolled out in retail parks, service stations as well as on-street and off street car parks and in the homes of electric car motorists.

Drivers can pre-book a designated electric car (ecar) parking space online www.q-park.ie or call 01 8788957. Q-park does not charge for the electricity and if customers book online they can avail of the discounted parking charges as well as reserving the dedicated ecar parking space. Charge points are accessed by using an electronic card which electric car motorists receive from ESB ecars when they purchase an electric car and register for charging online www.esb.ie/ecars.

Source: Environment & Energy Management

EPA launches map-based website to enhance public access to information on pollutants

14/10/2011

The Environmental Protection Agency has launched a new pollutant release and transfer register (PRTR) website http://prtr.epa.ie/.  This map-based website, like Google Maps, allows the public to access environmental information about emissions from more than 300 industrial facilities across the country.  The register contains environmental data that has been gathered by the EPA from industry and local authorities.  Environmental information about other European Countries is also accessible through this website.

The pollutant register website allows members of the public to search and track up to 91 specific substances or pollutants emitted to air, water and land by industrial and public facilities, above certain reporting thresholds.

Extension to period for spreading slurry announced

13/10/2011
 

Mr. Phil Hogan TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government announced yesterday that farmers will be allowed, as an exceptional measure, to spread slurry until the end of October, 2011.

Minister Hogan said that farmers have expressed concerns to him about their ability to meet the 15 October deadline for spreading slurry, as laid down in the Nitrates Regulations.  In recognition of this, the Minister believes that the extension now being given is necessary, as the adverse weather conditions experienced in Ireland during September, in particular, have caused significant hardship for farmers and have made it extremely difficult to carry out regular farming activity.

Further information is available on the website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

Glory for Musgraves as it Scoops Top Repak Recycling Award

12/10/2011

Musgrave Group was today recognised as the best Member Award at this year’s Repak Recycling Awards.

The awards which took place at Dublin’s Convention Centre, and were presided over by Minister Phil Hogan TD, for the Environment Community and Local Government saw other high profile companies recognised for major recycling achievements.

Musgrave Group was recognised overall for its excellent waste management record with 100% of their packaging waste being recycled. For example, Musgrave’s Light weighting initiatives such as their 20% packaging reduction of their 5L plastic water bottle has helped to reduce their packaging placed on the market.

The awards which took place as part of Repak Recycling Week, acknowledges best practice and prevention in packaging recycling of companies, schools, local authorities and waste contractors around the country. In total there were 12 awards, these included the Repak Best packaging prevention award (sponsored by the EPA), Repak/An Taisce recycling school of the year award, Repak Best Local Authority of the Year, Repak Recovery Operator of the year, Best Waste Electrical Electronics Equipment and Waste Battery collection events, Best WasteRepak Best member award (sponsored by Arthur Cox),Repak best practice awards. In total 260 guests attended the 10th Repak Recycling Awards.

Source: Envirocentre

Launch of the European Declaration on Paper Recycling

12/10/2011

Ulrich Höke, ERPC (European Recovered Paper Council) chairman, and Soledad Blanco, Director at the European Commission, DG Environment launched the European Declaration on Paper Recycling 2011-2015 at the European Paper Recycling Awards in the European Parliament on 3rd October.

The European Declaration on Paper Recycling sets out measures to optimise the management of paper throughout the value chain from paper and board manufacturing, converting and printing through to the collection, sorting, transportation and recycling of used paper and board products back into the paper loop.

All 12 Signatories and Supporters of this Declaration are willing to ensure that correct systems are in place to encourage paper recycling. They are building on the very positive progress made by the first European Declaration on Paper Recovery 2000 to 2005 and the European Declaration on Paper Recycling 2006 to 2010 (see www.paperforrecycling.eu ). Together these sectors will continue on a sustainable path in paper recycling, making it possible to reach the new target of a 70% recycling rate by 2015.

Source: ERPC

Interconnected European offshore grid will save billions of Euros

11/10/2011

Thenew report Offshore Grid: Offshore Electricity Infrastructure in Europe reveals huge cost saving potential of the EU "OffshoreGrid" project.

Offshore grids, connecting North and Baltic Sea wind farms to electricity consumers, will be substantially cheaper to build than expected. Building "hub connections" at sea instead of using cables to connect single wind farms individually to the shore will result in investment costs that are 14 billion Euros lower. Additionally if these hub connections were combined with an even more interconnected "meshed grid", the necessary additional costs of 5 to 7 billion Euros would be compensated by 16 to 21 billion Euros of additional benefits over 25 years of grid operation.

The cost for creating the complete meshed offshore grid including wind farm connections would amount to about 0.1 Eurocent per kWh consumed in the EU27 over the project life time.

There have been numerous estimates as to the costs such a grid may involve and the form it may take. The OffshoreGrid project, co-financed by the European Commission, proves the financial benefits of building a meshed European grid offshore and outlines two cost-efficient designs. However, it warns that a new regulatory framework is needed to enable its construction.

Source: OffshoreGrid

Science for Environment Policy: issue 256 available online

11/10/2011

Science for Environment Policy issue 256 is now available online. Articles include:

• A new approach to urban adaptation: upgrading resilience
• Are threatened European plant species conserved in seed banks?
• Negative impact of landfill is reduced by choice of liner
• Bio-monitoring of produced water from an oil field
• Broader behavioural focus needed to mitigate climate change
• Is climate change increasing viral disease in farm animals?
• Top tips to improve urban bird diversity

EPA report: importance of peatlands for both climate change and for biodiversity

10/10/2011

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a major research report which provides the first comprehensive assessment of peatlands (bogs and fens) for Ireland. The report, Bogland: Sustainable management of Peatlands in Ireland, clearly identifies the vital role that peatlands play in key areas such as climate change and biodiversity. It concludes by recognising the need for increased protection of this valuable resource and makes recommendations for the development of a national peatland strategy.

Source: EPA

Minister of State Shane McEntee Marks Tree Day

10/10/2011

Shane McEntee, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for forestry, marked 'Tree Day 2011' on 6th October with a tree planting ceremony at Castletown National School, Co. Meath.

Noting that the theme of Tree Day 2011 is 'Celebrating our Friend the Tree' to mark this UN International Year of Forests, the Minister of State commented, "Trees are an integral part of our landscape and forest products are a feature of our everyday surroundings so it is helpful for children to have this opportunity on National Tree Day to learn about trees and forests in a practical way." The Minister went on to say "When you plant a tree you don't do it for today. You do it for tomorrow - for your children and their children in turn".

Organised by the Tree Council of Ireland with the support of the Department of Education and Skills, Tree Day is an annual event, the purpose of which is to increase children's awareness of the importance and benefits of trees. Minister of State McEntee added, "I understand that this year's Tree Day campaign has been overhauled and redeveloped by the Tree Council, with the help of their sponsor Tetra Pak. I also note that the campaign is also supported by a number of Tree Council membership organizations which host walks at a number of locations throughout the country".

The Minister of State concluded by thanking the staff and pupils at the School for hosting the tree planting ceremony.

Source: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Taoiseach announces 92 jobs in the Marine Sector

07/10/2011

The Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny T.D. (6th October) announced the creation of 92 jobs in the marine sector while on a visit to the national research vessel R.V. Celtic Explorer in Dublin. The jobs will be created in the areas of seafood processing and marine research.

The Taoiseach also welcomed the expansion of Ireland’s capabilities in the international shipping services sector, which is expected to attract additional jobs to the country.

The full press release is available on the Marine Institute website.

Source: Marine Institute
 

Environment for Europeans: Green Week Supplement 2011 e-mag

07/10/2011

An online e-mag version of the Green Week 2011 supplement: Resource Efficiency, Using Less, Living Better is now available. Articles include:

• Resource efficiency: using less, living better
• Smart ways to enhance biodiversity
• Bio-economy: tapping new potential
• Changing the way we look at waste
• Cutting food waste in Europe
• Greening European consumption patterns and production methods
• Getting our soils back into shape
• Towards greener agricultural practices
• Blue Growth: sustainable use of marine resources
• Plea for better water management
• Tackling efficiency's rebound effect
• Plastic bag monster
• Solar Impulse

OpenHydro named as CPD Company of the Year 2011

Louth technology company OpenHydro, which is currently building the world's first large-scale, grid-connected tidal energy farm with energy giant EDF off the north coast of France, has been announced overall winner of the prestigious Engineers Ireland Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Company of the Year title. The company has won the award for using CPD to go from a start-up R&D firm to becoming a global player in marine turbines that generate renewable energy from tidal streams.

The awards, now in their eighth year, assess which organisations use CPD to improve performance, by breaking into new markets, developing new products and innovating with cutting-edge technologies.

Source: Engineers Ireland

Northern Ireland Energy Forum 2011

06/10/2011

The Northern Ireland Energy Forum, now in its ninth year, has firmly established itself as the annual conference event for Northern Ireland’s energy sector.  The 2011 Forum will once again bring together all the key players, both from within Northern Ireland and further afield, to focus on the most important aspects of energy policy and latest developments from across the sector.  It provides a unique opportunity for all those operating within the sector to come together for a day of networking and discussion.  There is a strong all-island theme to this year’s conference so it will be of particular interest to energy sector professionals from the Republic of Ireland.

Speakers at the conference include:

Shane Lynch, Chief Executive, The Utility Regulator

Denis Cagney, Director of Gas, Environment & Legal Affairs, Commission for Energy Regulation

Joe O’Mahony, Managing Director, Northern Ireland Electricity

Andrew Claxton, Director, Business Development & International, APX-ENDEX

Andy Kinsella, Chief Executive Officer, Offshore, Mainstream Renewable Power

Exhibition opportunities also available. Please see the brochure (pdf) for the event details.

Source: SEAI

Belfast Recycling Company AER Wins Belfast Business Top 50 Award

05/10/2011

Belfast based electrical recycling company All Electrical Recycling Ltd (AER) picked up an IMPACT award, at the Belfast Business Top 50 Awards held on Thursday 29th September .

The IMPACT award is awarded for helping make a significant contribution to the city of Belfast as a place to live, work and visit.

AER, is one of Northern Ireland’s leading electrical recycling companies. It specialises in information technology and computer recycling, large and small domestic and industrial appliance recycling and provides expertise in WEEE compliance.

It recently launched a home recycling at work scheme. Businesses can now meet their CSR objectives within the workplace and enable their staff to recycle all their redundant home electricals and electronics at work. It also provides free recycling for certain streams of Public and Social Economy sector WEEE.

Source: Irish Press Releases

Irish Standard I.S. 441 National Compost Quality published

05/10/2011

The new Irish Standard I.S. 441 National Compost Quality is designed to promote the development of the composting industry and to create markets for compost as well as providing purchasing guidance for consumers and businesses. I.S. 441 is a joint initiative between the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) and rx3 under the Department’s Market Development Programme.

Launching the new standard, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Phil Hogan said that “I.S. 441 defines a high quality standard for Irish compost and will instil confidence and provide certainty for consumers who will now know of the quality and contents of the Irish product, when they are choosing which compost to buy, The value of the compost market in Ireland has the potential to grow significantly where compost consumers buy high-quality compost product”.

Diverting organic waste from landfill will contribute towards the achievement of EU Landfill Directive targets by Ireland. I.S. 441 will support this priority action by helping to ensure that there are outlets, including high value markets, for compost products made from the diverted materials.

To underpin I.S. 441, rx3 is developing a National Compost Quality Assurance Scheme, centred on I.S. 441 which will be known as CQAS 441:2011. Thus, CQAS 441:2011 will certify the facility process that is producing I.S. 441 certified product.

Source: StopFoodWaste

LIFEnews September 2011

04/10/2011

This month's LIFEnews links with the launch in September of the European Commission's Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe. LIFE projects offer many useful lessons and outcomes that can be replicated around Europe to help increase the efficient use of raw materials and resources, as well as raise awareness on this important concept.

A selection of such LIFE Programme examples are thus summarised in the newsletter which also features a good example of a practical 'resource efficiency' LIFE project from Italy, plus a 'Best of Nature 2010' project which helped protect niche biodiversity habitats in Minorca.

Source: EU LIFE

A “New” Salmon River in Ireland

04/10/2011

A recent review of fish stocks in the River Tolka in north Dublin, by Inland Fisheries Ireland has indicated the presence of numbers of juvenile wild Atlantic salmon in the river in three locations in the Glasnevin and Finglas areas. This is the first record of wild salmon reproducing in the Tolka for at least 100 years.

The reestablishment of a wild salmon population in the Tolka is due to the coordinated efforts of a number of State Agencies. Earlier this century the Office of Public Works, working closely with three County Councils (Dublin, Meath and Fingal) carried out a flood relief scheme in the Tolka. Inland Fisheries Ireland worked closely with these groups advising on fishery aspects of this scheme. This involved either the removal or modification of a significant number of man-made weirs to “open up” this system to migratory fish .On completion of this scheme adult sea trout immediately ran the system all the way upstream to its headwaters in Dunboyne for the first time in,  at least,  150 years.

Now we are seeing the recolonisation of the river by the “King of Fish” – the Atlantic Salmon. There is no doubt that the presence of juvenile salmon, a species that only survives in clean water, also reflects the hard work of the County Councils in reducing pollution levels in this largely urbanized river.

Source: Inland Fisheries Ireland

World Space Week:4th-10th October

03/10/2011

World Space Week 2011 begins on Tuesday 4^th and runs until 10^th October. This year’s theme is ’50 Years of Human Spaceflight’ and there are lots of events taking place in Ireland to mark the event. Astronomy Ireland has organised and number of Public Watches around the country to observe the Moon and Jupiter. They are also available for school visits to talk about the history of human spaceflight, missions to the moon and future missions to Mars! The Blackrock Castle Observatory (BCO) in Cork has also planned events:

• 5^th October: talk by US astronaut Shane Kimbrough at the Triskel Chrischurch
• 5^th October: rocket launch at BCO with Shane Kimbrough and Irish Rocketry Society
• 7^th October: ‘First Fridays at the Castle’ sleepover for International Observe the Moon night

The first World Space Week was declared by the UN in 1999 as a celebration of the contribution of space science and technology towards the betterment of the human condition. It is celebrated on the same dates each year, recalling the launch of the first man-made satellite, Sputnik 1, into space on 4^th October 1957, and the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space on 10^th October 1967.

Science for Environment Policy: issue 255 available online

03/10/2011

Science for Environment Policy issue 255 is now available online. Articles include:

• Satellite technology helps monitor water quality in lakes
• Assessing the fit of environmental policy to institutional context
• Analysing trends in tropospheric levels of ozone
• Deepwater Horizon: the fate of petroleum in the deep ocean
• Measures to reduce the urban pollen count

Repak Recycling Week 2011: 3rd-9th October

03/10/2011

The 11^th Repak Recycling Week, designed to highlight and encourage householders and businesses to recycle their used packaging, will take place from 3^rd-9^th October 2011.

The overall aim of Repak is to facilitate and increase packaging recycling in Ireland, and campaigns such as Repak Recycling Week and funding of recycling collections have helped Ireland to increase its recycling rate from under 15% in 1998 to over 65% in 2010.

The theme for this year’s Repak Recycling Week is ‘Recycle More around the workplace’. Research shows that while recycling habits at home are generally high, only 46% of people regularly recycle in the office kitchen/cateen dropping to 28% at our desks. To help you in your campaign, a series of posters are available to download from the event website.

Further ENFO recycling posters are also available to download from the Posters and Leaflets section of this website.

FREE Resource Efficiency Workshops for the Hospitality Sector

03/10/2011

The Green Hospitality Programme is continuing its 2011 Workshop series during October for its members and is also inviting interested hospitality businesses to attend to find out how easy it is to become more efficient and reduce costs and also achieve recognised environmental certification. Attend at one of the locations below to find out how to reduce your Energy, Waste and Water costs and at the same time achieve Internationally recognised Environmental Certification.

Locations and Dates 

Mid West  October 4th Tuesday Limerick Carlton Castletroy Park

South October 5th Wednesday Cork Radisson Blu Hotel Cork Airport

East October 11th Tuesday Dublin Westin Hotel

North East October 12th Wednesday Dundalk Ballymascanlon Hotel

West October 19th Wednesday Galway Menlo Park Hotel

North West October 20th Thursday Sligo Radisson Blu Hotel Sligo

Midlands October 26th Wednesday Tullamore Tullamore Court Hotel

South East October 27th Thursday Kilkenny Hotel Kilkenny

Full details are available on the Green Hospitality Programme website.

Source: GreenBusiness