Public meeting re Community Garden Glanmire Thurs 3rd Dec

May I submit a notice of a meeting re the Glanmire Community Garden this Thursday December 3rd 09 at 7.30pm in Scoil Chill Ruadhain Brooklodge Primary School?

Agenda will include short and medium term planning for the garden.
Everyone welcome.

kind regards

Claire Desmond
0874151316

Slow Food East Cork invite you to a Terra Madre Feast

Celebrating 20 years of 

Slow Food

Ballymaloe's first ever  

Terra Madre Dinner

A feast of delicious local foods and a farmers' market in The Grain Store where you'll meet local producers to sample, taste, enjoy and take home their wares.

The Grain Store

Sunday 6th December 7pm

Slow Food Members €50, Non- Members €60

Very special B&B rate €50 at Ballymaloe House

Contact Emer on 021 4646785 or slowfood@cookingisfun.ie

                                                          

Climate Change - what's happening in Cork?

The following is a copy of a flier CEF prepared for a climate change stand at the Killavullen Farmers Market/Nano Nagle Centre...

Climate Change
– what's happening in Cork?

More than you'd think! Cork has an abundance of fantastic local and county-wide initiatives working towards a low carbon future.

1.       Transition Towns – Kinsale, Midleton, Bandon, Clonakilty, Bantry, Youghal...

The Transition initiative was born in Kinsale in 2006 and has rapidly become a worldwide phenomenon. 'Transition' refers to local people working together to find new and old ways of building sustainable, low carbon communities.

2.      An Sanctóir, Cork Food Web, Cork Cycling Campaign, Cork Green Map, Macroom Environmental, Partnership for Change, Nano Nagle Centre, Slow Food, West Cork Sustainable Fisheries group... and others!

Other organisations are springing up all the time and are all making a big impact in their areas. Did you know for example that Partnership for Change organised Ireland's first Climate Change conference in Cork last year?

3.       Local authorities

Both the City and County Councils are doing a lot behind the scenes to ensure a sustainable future for the region in diverse areas such as waste, energy, education, sustainable mobility etc. The two councils are currently preparing with support from Partnership for Change, IDEA and CEF for Cork to enter the UN Climate Neutral Network.

4.     Cork Environmental Forum (CEF)

CEF was established in 1995 to foster and promote sustainable development in Cork and is funded by the City/County Councils, DEHLG, WCDP and SECAD. We run a variety of educational, practical, social and policy based projects throughout the year and are always open to new members and ideas. Full details of all our activities, info about all the organisations mentioned above (and plenty more), a calendar of environmental events, notice board and other resources can be found on our website: www.cef.ie.

Grow It Yourself meeting Cork 1st December

INTERESTED IN GROWING YOUR OWN FOOD?

The first GIY CORK meeting takes place on
Tuesday the 1st of December at 7pm.
South Presentation, Evergreen st. Cork City. 


GIY networks aim to take the 'self' out of 'self- sufficiency' by getting back-garden growers together on a regular basis to talk, learn from each other and exchange tips, produce and war-stories!

The meetings are free and open to people interested in food growing at all levels, i.e. from growing a few herbs on the balcony to complete self- sufficiency, from beginners to old hands. Hundreds of people are involved in existing GIY groups around Ireland and activities include talks on specific food-growing topics, garden visits, seed swaps, produce bartering, mentor panels and the return of the meitheal (where growers get together in one another's gardens to carry out some growing related task).

For more information: Call 086 3743132 (Naomi)
email: giycork@gmail.com

http://www.giyireland.com

Severe Weather Warning

Comhairle Cathrach Chorcaí CORK CITY COUNCIL

                   

24^th  November 2009

 

Severe Weather Warning

 

Issued by MET EIREANN at 1900 Monday on 23/11/09.

 

 

Very windy later tonight and for Tuesday with further spells of heavy rain, with some further flooding likely. Strong southerly winds will gust 85 to 100 km/h in places.

Stormy tomorrow evening and tomorrow night, with gusts of 120 to 130 km/h in parts of the West and North. Heavy squally and possibly thundery showers also.

Overall, rainfall totals 25 to 35 mm, highest in Southwest, West and North.

 

Valid from 03.00hrs. on the 24^th to 09.00hrs. on the 25^th

 

Further information can be obtained from

Ben O'Flynn,

Chief Technician,

Environment Directorate,

Cork City Council,

City Hall,

Cork.

 

021-4924280

Ben_oflynn@corkcity.

Local Authority Prevention Network programme for East Cork

Launch of Eco Business Ireland

Local Authority Prevention Network programme for East Cork

The Local Authority Prevention Network (LAPN), was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency as part of the National Waste Prevention Programme. The purpose of this initiative is to build capacity in the Local Authorities for the promotion of resource efficiency and waste prevention at a local level. This EPA initiative is providing financial and technical support to Local Authorities to tackle the challenge of waste prevention in partnership with businesses, public organisations and communities in their area.

Cork County Council in partnership with South & East Cork Area Development were successful in receiving a grant aid to develop and implement a programme to encourage small & medium size enterprises, in South & East Cork,  to reduce their consumption of raw materials, water and energy. This programme will facilitate the placement of a Waste Prevention Officer in SECAD Headquarters in Midleton. The role of the Waste Prevention Officer is to promote, advise and guide small to medium size enterprises in South & East Cork on waste prevention, and water/energy conservation.

In 2010, it is anticipated that an Environmental Training Programme, based on the successful model developed by Macroom E and the Clean Technology Centre, will be initiated for businesses. From it, businesses will learn how to reduce waste disposal costs, implement best practice in waste management, lower energy costs and reduce their water charges.

In addition, public sector buildings in the East Cork area are also invited to partake in the programme. The Council's climate change strategy aims to reduce carbon emissions by 33% not later than 2020. This waste minimisation & prevention programme will assist in fulfilling this target.

Clean Technology Centre at Cork Institute of Technology will provide technical support and mentor the programme. Clean Technology Centre has extensive experience in implementing prevention programmes.

The Waste Prevention Officer can be contacted, by phone on 021 4621184, between 9.30am and 10.30am Monday to Thursday and by e-mail: ecobusiness@secad.ie

PUBLIC CONSULTATION Midleton & Carrigtwohill Transportation Study

Cork County Council and Midleton Town Council are in the final stage of preparation of a Transportation Study for Midleton and Carrigtwohill.

A public exhibition with regard to the Transportation Study will be held at the following venues and times:

Carrigtwohill Community hall
on
Wednesday, 25th November 2009 from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
And
Midleton Park Hotel
On
Thursday, 26th November2009 from 4.00p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Council personnel and Consultants WSP Ireland will be in attendance to advise on the proposals

The views of the public are being sought and written submissions received on or before Friday, 18th December 2009 will be taken into consideration, as part of the process. Submissions may be made in writing to Andrew Archer, WSP Ireland, Merchants House, 2nd floor, 27 - 30 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8.

Enquiries to: 021 4285130

Nano Nagle Centre promoting awareness of Climate Change

NANO NAGLE CENTRE PROMOTING AWARENESS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is one of the biggest threats facing humanity today. Now is the time for urgent action! What can you do about Climate Change?

Why not drop by the Kilavullen Farmers Market on Saturday 21^st November and meet a member of the Irish delegation who is attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this December. At the designated Information Stall, all your questions regarding climate change will be answered, including suggestions of what you can do on a global and local level.

CEF have been invited to send someone to talk about what climate change actions are happening in Cork. So far we have made up a flier for the stand, but we'd really like to find someone who would be happy to go and chat face to face with people about all the fantastic stuff that's happening... please get in touch if it might be you!

It is the perfect opportunity to meet other interested people and to send a strong and clear message to our government before these crucial global climate change negotiations take place.

The goal of this Copenhagen conference is to find a new global climate deal to take over from the Kyoto Protocol. This could be our last chance to tackle climate change before it spirals out of control!

We look forward to meeting you at the Kilavullen Farmers, held at the Nano Nagle Centre, Kilavullen,10.30am – 1pm, every second Saturday.

South Parish and North Blackpool Local Area Plans

 
The new Draft South Parish Area Action Plan is available to view and comments are invited.
  http://www.corkcity.ie/ourservices/developmentplanning/localareaplans/southparishareaactionplan/Web%20Version%20compatible%20ver%208.pdf
 
The North Blackpool Area Plan is entering the preliminary stage and comments are invited.
  http://www.corkcity.ie/ourservices/developmentplanning/localareaplans/northblackpoollocalareaplan/

Wealth from Waste/Plastic Project

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA

Dear friends,

Amma has initiated a  new plastic project- cots making from recycled
plastic (see below).

The idea is to reuse  old packing straps (like the one in Ireland
round briquettes etc) to make the mattress for a foldable bed, which
is then tied on to a metal frame and used as  an extra bed for
disaster relief.

It would be great if you could collect these straps from houses, shops
etc,  bring them to the next retreat on the 21st of November and give
them to the one of us who  are going to India soon.

Thanks a lot,
Love
Val

AMMA'S NEW PROJECT:
1000 COTS FOR DISASTER RELIEF

Amma has asked for 1000 cots to be constructed for use in future
disaster relief efforts.  The cots are light and portable, made from
an aluminum frame and a cover woven from used packing straps collected
in Amma's institutions all over the world.

In addition to providing a comfort for disaster victims, this project
addresses the serious environmental issue of plastic waste, by
preventing thousands of meters of packing straps from being thrown
away.

PLEASE HELP US!!!

ϖ       Collect packing straps, and send them to Amritapuri ashram
with somone who is going there (please DO NOT send by mail or any
other costly method).

ϖ       Come to Amritapuri Ashram for any length of time and help us
construct the cots.

Packing straps are cut off of boxes, collected and woven together

   For More Information, contact Meenamba at:plasticproject@gmail.com

BCC Amma Ireland Coordinators and Volunteers

--

North Blackpool Local Area Plan submissions

COMHAIRLE CATHRACH CHORCAÍ CORK CITY COUNCIL

North Blackpool Local Area Plan

Cork City Council intends to prepare a Local Area Plan for North
Blackpool which aims to set out a planning and development strategy
for the area.

The plan area includes the former Sunbeam site and adjoining lands,
Blackpool Shopping Centre and Retail Park, the Kilbarry rail site and
part of the Kilbarry IDA industrial estate, extending northwards along
Old Whitechurch Rd, southwards to the North City Link Rd 'fly-over,'
eastwards to Spring Lane, and west/northwest to Commons Rd and Fitz's
Boreen.

Written submissions/observations are invited from interested parties
on the key planning and development issues to be considered in the
Local Area Plan. Copies of the consultation paper can be obtained from
the Planning & Development Directorate or on the City Council's
website at www.corkcity.ie. The deadline for submissions or
observations is 4.30pm on Friday, 18th December 2009. Please include
your own name and address on submissions/observations and address them
to:

Kevin Terry, Director of Services & City Engineer,

Planning & Development Directorate, City Hall,

Cork

Alternatively submissions can be emailed to planningpolicy@corkcity.ie
by the above date.

Tel: 021-4924086

Dated 6th November 2009.

Public meeting re Community Garden Glanmire and surrounds Thurs 12th Nov 7.30pm Brooklodge Primary school

Thursday 12th November 2009 at 7.30 p.m. in Scoil Chill Ruadhain
Primary School, Brooklodge, Glanmire

We are currently promoting the idea of a community garden in our
locality in Cork and have land to work with, due to partnership with a
local institution.

A public meeting is arranged for Thursday 12th November 2009 at 7.30
p.m. in Scoil Chill Ruadhain Primary School, Brooklodge, Glanmire.
Everyone is welcome to gather ideas of what a community garden means
for the local community.

It would be useful to emphasise a link with this project and the
opportunities being undertaken by other communities. The meeting will
enable discussion and generation of ideas and consensus and a steering
group for managing the current land opportunity for education and
social gardening opportunity.

Sustainable fishing - guidelines for consumers from BIM

Thanks to Emmet Jackson for this thorough reply to CEF's recent
enquiry about small guides for consumers...

Dear Patrick,

Firstly, sorry for the delay in getting back to your request with
regard to 'Sustainable Fish'. In answer to your question we do not
have a booklet that advises on fish products in the manner that you
asked. We were planning to produce such a resource but due to staff
and funding cutbacks we have had to concentrate on other issues.
However here are some thoughts.

When sourcing fish responsibly, origin, quality and traceability are
all hugely important factors, alongside the use of environmentally
friendly capture and harvesting practices. Buying fresh and buying
local is perhaps the best choice that can be made.  Where this is not
possible, however; if for example you are sourcing your seafood from
abroad, you should look for Environmental and Quality assurance labels
that can demonstrate that the product has come from a well-managed and
sustainable source.

The variety of schemes available and the practices that need to be
considered when purchasing seafood, reflect the complexity of the
seafood sourcing issue. There are many national and international
schemes in place to assure the quality and safety of seafood. For
example, BIM's own accredited aquaculture Eco-Standards for mussels
and salmon, and internationally recognised, independent eco-labels,
for instance the Marine Stewardship Council label, Seafish Responsible
Fishing Scheme and the Dolphin-friendly tuna logo, among others. These
standards illustrate how a fishery or farm may be managed and operated
in an environmentally responsible manner.

Cod is perhaps one of the most popular and best known fish. It is
recognised that many of the world's cod stocks have been overfished,
and this has lead to both a general increase in the price and a
decrease in the availability of cod. Currently, the cod stocks in the
Irish Sea and much of Europe are subject to EU funded 'Recovery Plans'
which have imposed strict catch and fishing effort limits on fishermen
to help alleviate the pressure on European cod stocks. These recovery
plans hope to bring the stocks up to levels where the species can be
sustainably fished in the near future. Until then, however, much of
the cod that is available at fish counters and on menus, throughout
Ireland and elsewhere, is sourced from the well managed fisheries of
Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands where, cod stocks are found in
healthy quantities and are only fished to a sustainable level. In
Iceland alone, the 2006 quota for fishing cod was almost 200 thousand
tons!

It should be noted, however, that there is no directed cod fishery in
Irish seas. The cod caught in these waters is a by-catch fishery,
where fishermen are given small quotas for cod, especially in prawn
fisheries, so that the cod does not have to be thrown back over-board
as unwanted by-catch. Much technical work has been undertaken to
reduce the level of cod by-catch in these fisheries, through the use
of release doors and modified nets. Work like this also helps to make
cod a more sustainable fishery in Ireland and supports the work of the
EU recovery plans.

In summary, there are a number of issues to consider when buying
seafood but in particular we would advise you to consider the
following:

§         Ensure your fish is fresh and of the highest quality, look
for recognised quality assurance, eco or organic labels or logos or
evidence that the product has been caught responsibly. Ask BIM to
verify this if you are unsure;

§         Don't forget to ask your seafood producer where the product
you are buying was farmed, or the region from which it was caught.
They are obliged to inform you!;

§         Consider the issues associated with buying imported seafood
when planning your menu and sales offerings.

If you would like more details on the work that BIM is doing in this
area please feel free to contact me directly. I will be pushing to get
this info out in a booklet form in the next year and I will keep you
updated on our progress. Also if you are planning any events/workshops
in the area of fisheries please don't hesitate to contact us as we
would be very happy to take part in such events.

Regards

Emmet

Emmet Jackson

Resource Development & Environment Officer

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Bord Iascaigh Mhara

Irish Sea Fisheries Board

-----------------------------------------------------------------

www.bim.ie

Mammal Survey

Hi,

We are currently in the process of tendering for a job which requires
a mammal survey - otter, badger and bat and are looking an individual
or small consultancy to prepare a quote and if successful carry out
the survey.

If you think you can complete this or know anyone please contact me at
091-384506.

Katrina Foley
Enplan Consultants

Film event in Dublin - The End of the Line for Open Net Cage Salmon Farming?

 

The End of the Line for Open Net Cage Salmon Farming?

 

- New film premieres around the world during next week's Global Week of Action

 

A new short documentary produced by Canadian film-maker Damien Gillis lifts the lid on the problems caused by open net cage salmon farms worldwide.  "Farmed Salmon Exposed: The Global Reach of the Norwegian Salmon Farming Industry" reveals the pervasive nature of the issues plaguing salmon aquaculture and features testimonials by witnesses discussing the environmental and socio-economic damage caused by poorly managed salmon farms.

 

The film features ghillie Brian Fraser from Scotland; John Mulcahy from Save The Swilly in Ireland; Orri Vigfusson from the North Atlantic Salmon Fund in Iceland; Alexandra Morton and Dr Daniel Pauly from British Columbia; Dr Matthias Gorny from Oceana in Chile as well as Sven Helge Pedersen, King Harald and Vegard Heggem in Norway. 

 

Premieres will take place in Edinburgh (9^th), Dundonnell (10^th) and Oban (11^th) in Scotland; Dublin (12^th) in Ireland; Santiago (11^th) in Chile; Washington DC (12^th) in the United States; Vancouver (12^th) in Canada; and Oslo (13^th) and Bergen (16^th) in Norway.  Further screenings in Orkney, Shetland, Arran, London, Las Vegas, Santa Cruz, Puerto Varas, Ancud and on Vancouver Island are planned later in November. 

 

A 3 minute excerpt is online now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eggrGn0V0fg

 

Including:

 

Alexandra Morton, biologist, Raincoast Research (Canada):  "Fish farms are killing off wild salmon".   

 

Alex Munoz, Vice President of Oceana Chile (Chile): "Their shareholders should know that their businesses are having a great impact on our Chilean environment".

John Mulcahy, Chairman of Save the Swilly (Ireland): "What gives them the right to destroy livelihoods in countries far away?"

 

Orri Vigfusson, Chairman of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund (Iceland):  "It's not sustainable.  That is why I would like to see the salmon farms taken out of the sea where they cannot be controlled and put on the coast or the land where they can be controlled".

 

Brian Fraser, Scottish ghillie (fishing guide): "How long can we keep raping the seas of these white fish to produce food to produce salmon.  I don't think it's sustainable". 

 

Damien Gillis, Canadian film-maker:  "All of these issues have led to an undeniable tipping point and the pressure is now on the industry to either to continue repeating the same mistakes of the past or chart a new course to a more sustainable future". 

 

 

From November 9 - 14, campaign partners around the world will participate in the Pure Salmon Campaign's fourth annual Global Week of Action.  

 

The Pure Salmon Campaign is a global project with partners in Scotland, Ireland, Norway, United States, Canada, Australia and Chile all working to raise standards on salmon farms. 

 

For more information about the Pure Salmon Campaign and the fourth annual Global Week of Action, go to www.puresalmon.org and www.farmedsalmonexposed.org

 

 

For more details please contact:

 

Don Staniford (Global Coordinator for the Pure Salmon Campaign): dstaniford@puresalmon.org (+44 7502 487613 - UK time zone)

 

 

More details including a logo and film flyer are attached - higher resolution images and photos are available. 

 

 

Cycle Chic Fashion Show, Sat 7th Nov Cork City Hall

           CYCLE CHIC FASHION SHOW

                      

         MILLENNIUM HALL, CITY HALL, CORK

           SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7^TH

       5PM – 7PM

 

Press Release

 

Following on from the success of last years event, Cork City Council, in association with Design Week, is proud to present the Cycle Chic Fashion Show 2009.

 

The event will showcase more stylish creations from Local, National and International Designers in Fashion and the latest innovations in Bicycle Design and Accessories.

 

Attendees can:

 

- Discover how Irish fashion designers such as Deirdre Harte and Lisa Shawgi (to name but a few) can add elegance and a touch of chic, to an everyday activity such as cycling, with their stylish clothing.

 

- Find out why the über chic Bagonia Bag range, which appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in the US, are so easy to attach to bicycles.

 

-Be impressed by beautiful bicycle designs, bicycle accessories and alternative rain gear from Irish, British, Dutch, American and German Designers.

 

- Be inspired by beautiful, eco-friendly fashionable clothing and accessories by Belleetik, a Cork based online store.

 

- Be charmed by the delightfully designed Velorbis Classic Bikes. (The classic Dannebrog with its vintage edge is sure to be a hit with the trendsetters! )

 

- Be relieved if searching for that perfect Winter Outdoors Outfit for their little ones, as Cork based "YellowHouse Label" clothing designs for kids are bound to appeal to young and old.

 

Attendees will also be treated to musical entertainment by acoustic guitar group: Colin McLean Latin Trio and DJ Don Andrews , whilst they sip a complimentary cup of tea or a glass of wine and after the show they can browse the exhibitor stands to purchase some of the clothes and other items being modelled.

 

Entrance and refreshments are all sponsored by Cork City Council through the Trendy Travel project: an operation funded by the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme. It is a unique event to encourage people to use more sustainable modes of transport as a means of getting around.

 

FREE ADMISSION

 

For further information please visit: www.cyclechic.org

Contact: Marie O' Donoghue - Event Coordinator - (087) 987 5927                   

Extended public consultation on FSC Draft Standard

Forest Stewardship Council
FSC Ireland

********* NOTICE*********

Consultation deadline extended

Please note that due to several requests from potential consultees to extend the timeframe for consultation, in addition to the delay in the cost study and field testing, FSC Ireland has agreed to extend the consultation deadline until 20th November. 

If you have not yet managed to submit feedback on the Draft Irish Standard for Forest Management Certification, you now have until the 20th November 2009 to do so. Similarly, if you have already submitted feedback, and wish to make supplementary comments you are most welcome to do so.

The Draft Standard document and accompanying Annexes can be found at www.irishforestcertification.com, as can the registration form for the Consultative Forum. Registration for the Forum is free and via this mechanism FSC Ireland can keep Forum members informed of developments relating to the Draft Standard.

Feedback and comments can be made via email (to consultation@irishforestcertification.com) or in writing to the address below.

***Please advise your members, colleagues and any other interested parties you are aware of that might wish to take advantage of this extended deadline and comment on the Draft Standard.***

regards

Harriet Emerson

Contact:

Dr. Harriet Emerson (facilitator)

consultation@irishforestcertification.com

Telephone: 0876508664

www.irishforestcertification.com

FSC National Initiative in Ireland, c/o IFA, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12

Irish Forestry Certification Initiative Ltd., trading as FSC Ireland

Dunmanway Community Powerdown Course..a few places still available

COMMUNITY POWERDOWN COURSE

The Community Powerdown Course is due to start on Tuesday 10th November at
8pm in the Family Resource Centre, Dunmanway. This ten week course is
designed to build community resilience in the face of todays challenges.
Some subsidised places are still available. For more information and
bookings please contact Caz on 028 25978 or email cazjeffreys@gmail.com This
course is supported by Dunmanway Family Resource Centre, and has received
funding through Sustain West Cork from the West Cork Development
Partnership. www.sustainwestcork.com

"The course was very positive. The structure was very good with lots of
opportunity to
learn from one another. As a professional in the community sector for
15-years, I was
surprised to see some new formats I had not come across before. I would
recommend it
be made available to local communities everywhere as an opportunity to look
at the
future sustainability of their community and take positive steps to ensure
the same.
Great course and very enjoyable."
Fergal Conlon, Manager Social Inclusion West Cork Development Partnership.

If you would like this course to be brought to your group or area then get
in touch.