Environment

The UN estimates that eight million tonnes of plastic waste end up in the sea every year

Kenyan artists turn old flip flops into sculptures

World Ocean Day is celebrated today to raise awareness of the importance of the ocean and how we can treat it sustainably.

Africa • 08 Jun

The report shows annual average greenhouse gas emissions have grown to a record 54 billion tonnes per year

Global greenhouse gas emissions at 'all-time high'

An update of the key indicators of climate change since 2019 has found that human-induced warming is increasing at an unprecedented rate of 0.2 degrees …

Climate Change • 08 Jun

How wildfire smoke harms human health even when fire is far away

A toxicologist explains the health risks people can face when smoke blows in from distant wildfires

Health • 08 Jun

People wear protective masks as the Roosevelt Island Tram crosses the East River

Canada wildfires cast orange haze over New York skyline

The Manhattan skyline was shrouded in a reddish haze as a result of hundreds of wildfires blazing in eastern Canada.

US • 07 Jun

The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia's premier tourist attractions

UN welcomes investment to protect Great Barrier Reef

The UN cultural agency UNESCO has welcomed commitments from Australia to protect the Great Barrier Reef, with the government pledging 4.4 billion Australian dollars (€2.7b) …

Environment • 06 Jun

The process locks in greenhouses gases and the final product can be used as a fertiliser

How chocolate could counter climate change

At a red-brick factory in the German port city of Hamburg, cocoa bean shells go in one end, and out the other comes an amazing …

World • 04 Jun

Ireland is on course to exceed two carbon budgets from 2021 to 2030

Ireland is on course to miss climate targets, says EPA

This latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency states that Ireland is on course to miss its 2030 climate targets by a large margin unless …

Climate Change • 02 Jun

While Canada often sees wildfires in the summer, rarely has it seen so many so early (Courtesy: Pamela Leier)

Canada sends military to help battle Nova Scotia fires

Canada has sent the military to the eastern province of Nova Scotia to help tackle wildfires that have forced 18,000 people from their homes as …

Environment • 02 Jun

A National Parks and Wildlife Service surveillance flight above the Wicklow Mountains

Surveillance flights seek to limit mountain fire damage

The National Parks and Wildlife Service is calling on people to take extra care during the current dry sunny spell. It warned that it has …

Ireland • 02 Jun

Earlier this year, a group of ambassadors got together to demand bike access at the UN

UN says get on your bike, but bans bicycles at HQ

The UN is gearing up to mark its annual World Bicycle Day tomorrow, but don't try cycling into the UN's headquarters in New York as …

Environment • 02 Jun

Amanda Mooney keeps close to 300 cattle including 130 milking cows

Most farmers 'trying to play their part' on emissions

The IFA has said progress on reducing emissions in the sector should be acknowledged, and Ireland's 2030 climate targets were set without proper consideration for …

Environment • 02 Jun

Visitors to Ireland appreciate its temperate climate

Atlantic's 'cold blob' saving Ireland from extreme heat

A huge area of cooling in the ocean to the south and east of Greenland, and off to the west of Ireland, is already having …

Climate Change • 01 Jun

The CSO report shows an 11% increase in greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector in the decade up to 2020 (stock image)

Nearly 40% of 2020 emissions due to farming - CSO

A Central Statistics Office report examining the progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions has concluded that five sectors of the economy were responsible for more …

Environment • 31 May

Professor Barry McMullin warned that while 'the short-term risks of disruption to energy supplies are real and significant', sticking with fossil fuels would be a mistake

Call for Ireland to not 'double down' on fossil fuels

Ireland must not "double down" on its failed reliance on fossil fuels, an energy expert has told an Oireachtas committee.

Environment • 30 May

Green TD Malcolm Noonan said all plants have value

Public asked to 'make space for weeds'

People should make space for weeds in gardens, balconies and in places of work, the Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan has said.

Environment • 26 May

The paper examines changes in population densities of more than 70,000 species of animals

Almost half of animal species are in decline - research

Almost half of the animal species on the world's surface are currently undergoing declines in their population sizes, new research has found.

World • 23 May

Despite these price hikes, demand for new EVs has jumped 35% this year

New electric cars 13% more expensive than last year

New data from DoneDeal shows the average price of a brand new electric vehicle (EV) now stands at €64,755, 13% higher than the same time …

Business • 23 May

Formal lawns at Trinity's front gates were dug up in July 2020 and replaced with meadow lawn turf that included 25 types of native Irish wildflower

Trinity wildflower meadow still creating a buzz

On International Biodiversity Day, the wildflower meadow at Trinity College in Dublin city centre is a blooming good demonstration of how to promote biodiversity in …

Environment • 22 May

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

22% of people hold on to their old tech items as back-ups

Data concerns impact tech recycling - survey

Concerns about personal data are preventing one in five adults recycling their unused tech items, according to new research.

Ireland • 21 May

Campaigners say public transport users should be able to access the nature and hiking locations on Dublin's doorstep

Calls grow for better bus access to Dublin mountains

As calls grow for better bus links to the Dublin mountains, campaigners say we need to rethink how we view public transport.

Environment • 20 May

Smoke from wildfires covers downtown Calgary

Fire risk sees parks closed in western Canada

Firefighters in Alberta are on high alert for a surge in blazes over a long weekend in the Canadian province.

World • 20 May

In 2020, approximately 238 million metric tonnes of waste from short-lived plastics was generated worldwide

Plastic-eating fungi found in Chinese salt marshes

An international team of scientists identified plastic-eating bacteria and fungi in Chinese coastal salt marshes, presenting new possibilities for global waste management, according to a …

World • 18 May

The average temperatures will rise to between 1.1 and 1.8 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for each of the next five years, the WMO has predicted

WMO warning about record temperatures in coming years

The World Meteorological Organisation has warned that a warming climatic event in the coming months, combined with human-induced climate change, will have far reaching repercussions …

Climate Change • 17 May

The 'Public Sector Climate Action Mandate 2023' envisages the phasing out of the use of parking in buildings (stock image)

Climate plan aims to phase out parking for some workers

Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan is to write to his Cabinet colleagues to inform them that their departments must implement the Public Sector Climate …

Politics • 16 May