Today's Ecolution heads into Ireland’s dwindling native woodlands to ask - how can rewilding help in slowing the climate crisis?
When humans first arrived in Ireland many thousands of years ago, they’d have walked into a country that was densely wooded. Almost all of the land covered in thick forest made up of native trees like Oak, Ash, Alder and Scots Pine.
Understandably, as humans, we needed wood to build houses, boats and furniture. And we needed land to grow crops. So, these woods were whittled down, bit by bit.
Fast forward to 2021 and we are left with only 2% of this Native Woodland remaining.
There has been a push in the past decade to reforest and many great initiatives to plant new growth, native trees have begun. Groups like Leaf, Pocket Forests, Crann and others are doing great work.
But there is an increasing understanding that allowing those places that retain old growth to expand is actually far better. In fact, it’s essential in helping us deal with the climate crisis. And their loss could be disastrous.
So to help investigate we meet some experts in the field.
Dr Úna Fitzpatrick heads up the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and talks about what we’ve lost and how you can help by making your homes and gardens that bit wilder.
We hear about 'Shaping New Mountains', Pádraic Fogarty’s and the Irish Wildlife Trust's new podcast, plotting an amazing plan to help get Ireland back in tune with nature.
And Ray O’Foghlu talks rewilding, land and we hear more about the wild spaces he is rediscovering.
And, as always, our brain trust...Evie, Ben, Freya, Meabh, Isabel, Harry, Austin, Jack, Adam, Justin, Orla, Juno and Lyla. Phew!
Ecolution is on every Wednesday at 7pm on RTÉjr Radio, or you can get the podcast now, wherever you find your podcasts.
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