Environment – Page 3 – Slugger O'Toole

Free event. Expressing a youth perspective on climate damage using animation…

Queen’s Policy Engagement on November 4, 2021, 11:12 am

| Readers 202

How do can we tell the story of climate change in a way that will affect change now? How can a youth perspective be of value in this? How can animation be a useful tool in this narrative enterprise? These are some of the particular issues that will be discussed in a free event that generally ponders the stories that need to be told now about the climate emergency. Join filmmaker, journalist and Queen’s University lecturer Don Duncan on Wednesday …

The geothermal energy potential of Northern Ireland…

Soapbox on October 29, 2021, 8:26 am

| Readers 2824

power plant, geothermal, geothermal energy

On the 3rd February 2020, the Northern Ireland Assembly declared a climate emergency and called for immediate measures to tackle it. One such measure outlined in the New Decade New Approach agreement is the new Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland. This strategy is being led by the Department for the Economy (DfE), with the purpose of achieving net zero carbon and affordable energy for all. This new Energy Strategy signals the beginning of our energy transition, during which we will …

You can’t have one without the other – the importance of environmental and social wellbeing in Northern Ireland

Soapbox on October 28, 2021, 1:40 pm

| Readers 794

Jennifer Wallace (Director, Carnegie UK) and Hannah Ormston (Policy and Development Officer, Carnegie UK). With COP26 kicking into full swing in Glasgow next week, accelerating action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will almost certainly require leaders and policy makers to commit to both immediate and longer-term interventions. While it remains to be seen what progress will be made at this conference, any journey to towards net zero carbon emissions must …

Local solution to a global problem: community wealth building and climate action – Free live event at Queen’s…

Queen’s Policy Engagement on October 26, 2021, 8:48 am

| Readers 410

team spirit, teamwork, community

What are the opportunities for local government and communities to address the climate crisis, deliver effective climate action in ways that secure jobs, reduce inequality and shift our economies beyond ‘business as usual’? One answer is community wealth building, a new model for local economic development that creates a more democratic and just economy, and also delivers substantive returns on achieving decarbonisation targets and climate adaptation. Evidence from Preston and North Ayrshire in the UK shows that community wealth building …

We need to be doing a lot more to insulate homes…

Brian O'Neill on September 29, 2021, 2:48 pm

| Readers 2606

food, drinks, people

While personally, I have no desire to superglue myself to the Westlink, I generally agree with the activists of Insulate Britain. Home heating is one of my obsessions. I have given a scary amount of mental energy to it over the years. The core principle of insulate first makes sense. It is better to ensure homes are properly insulated before you think about the heating. A well-insulated home can dramatically lower energy bills as well as being more comfortable for …

Now is the winter of our discontent…

Brian O'Neill on September 24, 2021, 11:29 am

| Readers 3211

tree, snow, winter

Wow, things are looking bleak for poor old Blighty. Energy prices through the roof, bins not being emptied, food shortages, petrol shortages, staff shortages, [insert just about everything] shortages. Unsurprisingly when you tell people not to panic-buy they automatically go out and panic buy. Personally, I have taken matters into my own hands and I have 1000 litres of petrol stored in old plastic milk jugs in the shed. They are next to the pile of illegal fireworks I picked …

Flooding is our canary in the coal mine for the impact of climate change, says Sinéad McLaughlin

Paul Gosling on August 20, 2021, 9:05 am

| Readers 1085

Belfast, Derry, Strabane and much of Ireland have suffered severe flooding problems in recent days and weeks. We know this will get even worse – with flooding become more intensive and more frequent. A new report says that climate change will be a particular problem for the West of Ireland, with even higher rainfall, leading to even more flooding. These are not problems we can ignore. I am discussing with the insurance industry how to ensure homeowners, tenants and businesses get the …

A life enhancing environment will help our high streets thrive, grow and develop…

Soapbox on August 6, 2021, 2:18 pm

| Readers 1772

shop, clothes, clothing

Cllr Brian Pope is Alliance Party Group Leader on Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. Our hard-pressed retail sector has suffered sizable losses during the pandemic and therefore it is hoped that the new High Street voucher scheme will boost local commerce and give people some much needed retail therapy. It will provide individual shoppers with £100 to spend on our high streets rather than online, and comprises a significant cash injection into our local high streets. Whilst the new NI …

Belfast Rapid Transit (Glider) Phase 2 announced

Brendan Heading on August 1, 2021, 1:25 pm

| Readers 6303

This week, Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon launched the public consultation for Phase 2 of the Belfast Rapid Transit (Glider) system. I think this is a welcome development and will improve connectivity, access to and uptake of public transport in the city. I remember when Glider was first launched on the east/west route a few years ago. Before it got off the ground, it was fashionable to dump on it (a common pattern for public transport projects on this island). …

In England crops are left to rot as there are not enough workers to pick them…

Brian O'Neill on July 26, 2021, 8:09 am

| Readers 4604

I deplore waste, especially food waste. With so much hunger in the world, it is a scandal how much food is wasted in rich countries. They estimate the average UK family throws out £700 worth of food a year. But what of the food that never even reaches the shops? Euronews reports on the crops left to rot as there are not enough workers to pick them. From the article: Fruit and vegetables are being left to rot in England …

Slugger event at John Hewitt Summer School: What’s good for the economy, good for the environment and good for people?

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on July 23, 2021, 5:18 pm

| Readers 680

Slugger O’Toole returns to the John Hewitt International Summer School in Armagh next Wednesday evening (28 July at 7pm) with a panel discussion looking at the triangle between economy, environment and people. Is Northern Ireland keeping those three aspects in balance? Are we destroying people and the planet in the name of prosperity? Can we ensure that wellbeing, sustainability and justice benefit everyone? I’ll be joined by Steven Agnew, Dawn Purvis and Joanne Stuart to mull over what’s good for …

Water rates or hosepipe ban: why NI Water funding model needs to change…

Mick Fealty on July 21, 2021, 5:28 pm

| Readers 2522

I was on Nolan to discuss a hosepipe ban that’s imminent. In England Severn Trent has asked people to conserve water, but there’s no ban. Water services in England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic have been investing massively in their systems. That’s not only brought leaks down within the system but allows them to keep up with ever rising demand as populations grow across these islands and demands shift up and down with the seasons. Meanwhile NI Water (as it …

Planning policy vital to a greener, more prosperous Northern Ireland

Soapbox on July 15, 2021, 1:04 pm

| Readers 862

Andrew Muir is the Alliance MLA for North Down Planning policy rarely makes the national headlines but directly touches upon the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland. Whether it’s an extension in your local area, a new housing development around the corner, or a major new business development that could provide jobs for thousands, planning matters. As an MLA at the Northern Ireland Assembly, planning issues are never far from the top of my inbox. Earlier this month the Department …

Is the new found love of the great outdoors waning?

Brian O'Neill on June 20, 2021, 12:33 pm

| Readers 849

One of the positives of the pandemic was more people discovering the pleasure of the great outdoors. As there was nothing else to do more people went out walking in their local parks, forests and beaches. Walking in nature is great for your emotional and physical wellbeing and best of all it’s free. Out for a stroll at Shaws Bridge, it was noticeably quieter compared to a few months ago, all the more surprising considering what a lovely day it …

For those who wish to see Derry city prosper, I recommend a trip to the South Holland city of Gorinchem…

Am Ghobsmacht on June 6, 2021, 12:46 pm

| Readers 4479

There are two types of people in this world; those who wish to see Derry city prosper and those who wish to see it fail. I’m in the former camp and as such I’m unimpressed with those in the latter camp, whether their M.O. be by means of bombs or political sabotage (just covering all the incoming whataboutery bases). For those firmly in the prosper camp then might I recommend a trip to the South Holland city of Gorinchem? (Somehow …

Electric Vehicles are the future, and we need to invest in our charging infrastructure now…

Soapbox on May 23, 2021, 8:00 am

| Readers 2499

By Rónán Davison-Kernan from EVANI. The group was formed in 2016 and earlier this year transitioned to become the Electric Vehicle Association Northern Ireland, a not-for-profit community interest company. Their two main aims are to represent the interests of electric vehicle users in Northern Ireland and to promote EV use here. Electric vehicle sales in Northern Ireland tripled between 2019 and 2020, going from 579 units to 1,680 – despite the pandemic. To put it another way, there were almost …

Climate Dolmens Response to the Wildfire in the Mournes…

Soapbox on April 27, 2021, 9:48 am

| Readers 859

Michael Donnelly is a member of the Dolmens Climate Network Dolmens Climate Network, in south County Down, wishes to speak out in the aftermath of the massively destructive wildfire we just experienced in the Mournes. Our community right now is sad but also cross, frustrated, and determined that we all take this seriously and do something different. Thousands of acres of upland heath is burnt and we will never know how many animals have perished with their nests destroyed during …

Our Bees Need You!

Natasha Geary on April 4, 2021, 8:00 am

| Readers 1197

Outside my window there’s a crowd of delightful daffodils, their heads dipping and bobbing in the breeze. We have a steep bank that surrounds our garden, up till now it’s been good for nothing except weeds. Last September I bought several bags of bulbs and scattered them in hopeful handfuls, pressing them down into the newly mulched bank with my booted foot. Here I am five months later looking out on an array of yellow heads that smile sunshine at …

The case for a Climate Change Bill.

Soapbox on March 25, 2021, 9:20 am

| Readers 491

Ian Humphreys is the Chief Executive of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful Climate change is a global challenge, that demands a global response. When we are faced with such a huge problem, that is vast in its complexity and contains many different required responses, it can, for a small population like Northern Ireland, feel like the cost of inaction is relatively small. However, in this piece I want to outline why we cannot wait to act and why having a local …

To 2031 and beyond … Neil Hegarty’s vision of this island in ten years’ time #imaginebelfast

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on March 19, 2021, 9:01 am

| Readers 2394

Talking to writer and novelist Neil Hegarty about the talk ‘2031’ he will deliver at next week’s Imagine! festival, imagining what this island might look like in a decade and asking whether we’re prepared for the political, societal, environmental changes that will surely have a huge impact on the way life is going to play out?