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Enhancing biodiversity can limit some impacts of climate change

Biodiversity conservation funding 'totally inadequate'

Funding and action on biodiversity conservation and restoration is "totally inadequate" in Ireland, according to the latest report from the Climate Change Advisory Council.

Ireland • 11 Oct 24

The research project is trying to find out if great white sharks frequent Irish waters (Pic: OCEARCH)

'CSI' approach used in search for sharks off Irish coast

The focus of a unique research project trying to find out if great white sharks frequent Irish waters has moved from the ocean to the laboratory.

Ireland • 14 Sep 24

Dr Nick Payne from Trinity College Dublin prepares satellite tags to be deployed during the OCEARCH expedition in September

Scientists to look for great white sharks in Irish waters

Final preparations are being made for a unique research expedition which hopes to find out if great white sharks frequent Irish waters.

Ireland • 10 Jul 24

A Common Tern is ringed at Dublin Port, where the colony is "thriving", according to BirdWatch Ireland

Tern for the better, as seabirds 'thrive' in Dublin Port

Among all the comings and goings at Ireland's largest freight and passenger port, some tiny visitors are returning year after year.

Dublin • 24 May 24

David Lawlor is passionate about the new initiative to reintroduce oysters to Dublin Bay.

Could oysters be a climate solution in Dublin Bay?

A new project in Dublin has enlisted an unlikely ally in the fight against climate change - oysters.

Climate Change • 12 Jan 24

Scientists from the NatPro Centre at Trinity College are harnessing the medicinal power of Irish boglands

From local lore to lab, unlocking nature's pharmacy

Science Week draws to a close this weekend after hundreds of events on the theme of what it means to be human in today's world, and how the decisions we make today, will impact humans of the future.

Environment • 18 Nov 23

A stoat attacking a rowi chick, the rarest type of kiwi

'Alien' species a growing threat to biodiversity - UN

Invasive species are a major and growing global threat to nature, economies, food security and human health according to a landmark UN-backed assessment on biodiversity.

Environment • 04 Sep 23

Dr Martha O'Hagan is working on a 'score card' project for Irish woodlands

'Scorecard' project aims to bring back native forests

Ireland may be famous for its forty shades of green, but surprisingly little comes from forest.

Ireland • 08 Sep 23

Dan Lettice has been filming the humpback whale in Tragumna Bay, near Gokane Point (Courtesy: Dan Lettice/Into the Wild Ireland)

Drone footage shows humpback whale pooing off west Cork

An amateur wildlife photographer has captured some unusual and unexpected drone footage - the bowel movements of a humpback whale off the west Cork coast.

Biodiversity • 24 May 23

Melissa Jueken is the goatherder at Howth Head

New kids on the block help control fires at Howth Head

Thirty-seven young workers have begun learning how to control wildfires in a spectacular location overlooking Dublin Bay.

Dublin • 15 May 23

'We have far more biodiversity at sea than on land' says Coastwatch's Karin Dubsky

Wind farms 'a win', but concerns over marine wildlife

An announcement on wind farm projects brings Ireland a step closer to being less reliant on fossil fuels. It's seen as "a win" by environmentalists, but how can it be done without upsetting the fragile marine life in the area?

Environment • 12 May 23

Colm Gavin is one of several farmers to take part in The Pearl Mussel Project

Eighth-generation Mayo farmer fights for pearl mussel

An eighth-generation sheep farmer from Co Mayo says he's determined to do his bit to ensure the survival of Ireland's longest living animal - the freshwater pearl mussel.

Climate Change • 22 Apr 23

The assembly was asked to assess how the State could improve its response to biodiversity loss (file pic)

Assembly urges State to enforce biodiversity laws

The final report of the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss is expected to highlight the failure of the State to adequately fund, implement and enforce existing laws and directives to protect biodiversity and nature.

Environment • 05 Apr 23

Eoghan Connaughton and the Gaelic Woodland Project have been removing a cherry laurel infestation from Killyon Manor in Co Meath

Meath group turns invasive cherry laurel into biofuel

A Co Meath group has come up with what it says is an innovative, scalable solution to dealing with one of Ireland's most invasive plants.

Climate Change • 18 Mar 23

Members of the assembly on a trip to a nature reserve (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Citizens' Assembly agrees wording of recommendations

The Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss concluded its work at Malahide in Dublin this evening after agreeing the wording of almost 100 additional recommendations to protect nature and biodiversity.

Ireland • 21 Jan 23

Dr Jane Goodall said the years she spent living with chimpanzees in a Tanzanian forest taught her to see the ecosystem as a beautiful living tapestry (File pic)

Jane Goodall addresses Citizens' Assembly

The Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss is preparing to vote on over 160 recommendations to address biodiversity loss in affecting all areas including agriculture, freshwater, peatlands and cities.

Climate Change • 26 Nov 22

Dr Colin Kelleher inspects seed which is being processed for the National Seed Bank.

Banking on seeds to safeguard Ireland's biodiversity

A quiet corner of the National Botanic Gardens on a mild autumnal morning isn't the first place you might expect to hear the word 'doomsday' crop up in conversation.

Climate Heroes • 05 Nov 22

Those in 'strong decline' are the Green Veined White (pictured), Large White, Meadow Brown, Orange Tip, Ringlet, Small White and Speckled Wood

Irish butterfly population down 35% since 2008 - report

Seven species of butterfly are in "strong decline" in Ireland, a biodiversity study has found.

Ireland • 17 Oct 22

Concern has been expressed about acute declines in curlew populations (Pic: Lough Neagh Partnership)

Assembly told most protected habitats in poor state

The Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss has been told that 85% of the habitats protected under EU nature laws in Ireland are in an unfavourable status.

Ireland • 25 Sep 22

Paul Handrick runs The Bee Sanctuary of Ireland with his wife Clare-Louise Donelan

'Save the bees, save the future' - sanctuary's warning

The only dedicated native wild bee sanctuary in Ireland is warning much more needs to be done to protect Ireland's endangered wild bee populations.

Climate Heroes • 16 Jul 22

The precise location of the cranes is being kept confidential in order to protect and conserve the birds and avoid disturbance

Common crane chicks hatched at rewetted peatland

Two common cranes have successfully hatched two chicks at a rewetted peatland, following a previous successful breeding attempt last year.

Ireland • 11 Jul 22

Micheál Martin said the Government understands the need for a change of direction to protect wildlife

Taoiseach urges 'new era' in protecting biodiversity

The Taoiseach has called for a "new era" in protecting biodiversity on the island of Ireland.

Ireland • 09 Jun 22

Ashe Conrad-Jones and Catherine Cleary run a social enterprise which 'makes forests in small spaces'

Tackling the climate crisis, a pocket forest at a time

The barrage of announcements, pledges and promises coming from the COP26 summit this week may have left many of us feeling overwhelmed - perhaps even a little helpless.

Climate Change • 04 Nov 21

A third of key biodiversity areas globally lack any form of protection or conservation coverage

World meets protected area target, amid quality concern

The world has met a target set a decade ago to have large areas of land and marine environments protected or conserved by 2020, the United Nations has said, but stressed the need for better enforcement.

World • 19 May 21

Pádraic Fogarty of the Irish Wildlife Trust said that 'Ireland is the most deforested country in the world' (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Biodiversity experts warn ecosystems are 'in collapse'

Almost two years since the Dáil declared a climate and biodiversity crisis, successive governments faced strong rebuke from biodiversity experts as they delivered impassioned appeals for urgent action to protect wildlife in this country.

Climate Change • 04 May 21