CEF Newsletter Winter 2010

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Newsletter Winter 2010 To foster and promote sustainable development    in County Cork

January 2010 In This Issue -- Rain Water Harvesting -- Flood Control -- Copenhagen -- The Varroa Mite -- CEF Working groups   CEF Management Committee 2009-10 Michael Hobbs (Chair) Kieran McDonogh (Vice-chair) Bernie Connolly (Treasurer) William DeTuncq (Asst. Treasurer) Anna Aherne Barry Hurley Mary Barrett Niall Leahy Richard Delahunty Tony Cain Patrick Treacy (Development Coordinator Éanna Dowling Education & Community Project Officer Dear Patrick, Welcome to the new look quarterly CEF Newsletter.  In this issue we are focussing on some of the more topical environmental issues of the season - Water and the Copenhagen summit - as well as tackling a very important long term issue - the decline in our native bee populations.  In addition to these articles you will of course find our regular News and Notices features. If you like what you see and want more, you will find links to the membership section of our website at the end of the newsletter.  As our membership runs from January to December now is the perfect time to join - and there are many good reasons to for only €10 or less per year. Thanks again to all our contributors. Flooding Solutions There can be no doubt in anybody's mind that draining our wetlands and building on floodplains has contributed to the flooding problems that we have seen throughout the country. Feidhlim Harty shares his expertise on sustainable methods of flood control that may not be so difficult or expensive to put in place. Read More   Rain Water Harvesting The extreme weather events of late 2009 and early 2010 highlighted to many people just how vulnerable our mains water supply network is.  The resultant reduction in -  and failure of - the water supply made many of us realise just how much we take for granted the water that flows from our taps. Only once it is gone do we realise how lost we are without it. Read More Copenhagen - echoes of COP15 How could we send out our winter newsletter without starting some discussion of the UN Climate Change Conference in December? Hailed as a failure by many and by others as a positive step in the process it may be some time before it becomes clear what exactly the legacy of the summit will be. What can we do in Cork? Your comments are welcome. Read More   Invasive Species: The Varroa Mite The Varroa Mite (Varroa jacobsoini) is considered by many to be the most costly disease in both loss of bees and shortage of crop pollination for farmers and horticulturalists. Unfortunately it has now spread worldwide. Read More   CEF Working Groups Trees, Water, Litter... members of Cork Environmental Forum are setting up a number of working groups at the moment.  Read more about what the groups are and how to get involved. Read More   Become a member of Cork Environmental Forum today! Subscribe from only €5 per calendar year. -- Join a working group -- Receive bi-monthly members mailings -- Meet like-minded people -- Take advantage of occasional discount offers

Tree Week Notice - and offer of trees

Click here to view today's County Council public notice: http://www.cef.ie/2010/National Tree week ad.pdf

Energy Crops Technical Information Day; Teagasc/IRBEA National Bioenergy Conference 2010

                                     Teagasc                        

Energy Crops Technical Information Day

Teagasc/IRBEA National Bioenergy Conference 2010

 

Energy Crops Technical Information Day

 
Energy Crops Technical Information Day will take place on Tuesday, 16 February 2010 at the Talbot Hotel Carlow and Teagasc, Oak Park.

This one-day event, organised by Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, will focus on the technical aspects of growing Miscanthus and SRC Willow.

The morning workshop will examine the suitability of energy crops for the individual producer, comparative economics to other enterprises, eligibility and application process, current market and future outlook and end-use options.

The afternoon practical demonstration will feature a variety of harvesting and drying options from Canada, Denmark and the UK.

Registration and booking with Liz O'Sullivan, Teagasc, Oak Park at -
Tel: 059 9183483; Email: liz.osullivan@teagasc.ie

Pre-reg/booking is essential for the morning session in the Talbot - lunch is included. The afternoon session is Free of Charge and no pre-booking is required.

For more information, download event brochure - Click Here

The National Bioenergy Conference 2010

Presented by Teagasc and Irish Bioenergy Association, The National Bioenergy Conference 2010 will take place at the Tipperary Institute Thurles on 18th February 2010.

The theme of the 2010 Conference - 'Developing and Financing Bioenergy' - is appropriate, given the challenges currently faced at the different stages of developing a bioenergy project.

The line-up of expert panel speakers will see bioenergy business developers tell the story behind their respective projects - whether this be based on wood energy, cereal crops or biofuels.

For further information and Registration Form, download the Conference brochure - Click Here

February Newsletter from 10:10 Ireland

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one simple idea: that by working together we can achieve a 10% cut in Ireland's carbon emissions in 2010. www.1010.ie 10:10 Ireland Newsletter February 2010 Warm & Cosy Welcome to the second mailing from 10:10 Ireland! February is the month to think about how you can keep warm and cosy through the winter months without costing the earth. So what can you do from an individual or family to a business, organisation or school? To keep warm and cosy while reducing your energy demand think insulation. Insulate your home, work premises or school - close doors, use insulating curtains and blinds for windows and even doors, and seal up the draughts around doors and windows. If you can afford it roof and wall insulation will give big savings in the long term - and there a number of options and a range of grants available. And Insulate Yourself - wear more clothes - a few thin layers are best. On really cold days have warm drinks and food, keep a bit active. ...and then turn the heating down reducing emissions and saving you money! Setting the temperature one degree lower saves 10% on your energy bills - there's 10% saved already! The temperature should be set to between 18 C (64F) and 21 C (70 F) In very cold weather don't turn the thermostat up - do set the heating to come on earlier and go off later. Maintain the heating system for maximum efficiency; Keep the area around radiators clear. If you can, install a renewable energy system anything from solar panels and wind turbines to wood boilers and geothermal. For home owners The ESB run a Halo scheme which gives home owners energy survey for free! For more information, news and views visit the 10:10 Ireland Website and please send us your ideas to share with others. And we'd REALLY like it if you could find just ONE MORE PERSON to sign up to 10:10. Seriously - that's the best way to help 10:10. And do take a look at our Polar Bear ambassadors. Better yet, invite them to your town or make a donation to help keep the Polar Bear tour on the road! Good luck - and thank you for taking up the 10:10 challenge. The 10:10 Ireland team news@1010.ie

GreenTech Skillnet - One stop shop for GreenTech Companies

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

I am delighted to announce the launch of GreenTech Skillnet which is now being setup to assist companies operating in the green sector domestically or internationally.

 

Our application for funding will be made to Skillnets Limited at the end of this month and if successful will allocate 50% funding for training from April 2010 for a 21 month period until Dec 2011.  Funding will be available to all Irish private companies; however anyone can join the network. 

 

This green funding will be used to capitalize on the 'Green New Deal' through increased awareness, training, promotion, sales & marketing, overseas branding and to maximize Ireland's green job generation.

 

GreenTech Skillnet - One stop shop for GreenTech Companies

·        Information is power and where time is limited, it makes sense to outsource. Green Tech Skillnet will provide accurate, reliable and timely domestic and international market information to our members.

·        Green Tech Skillnet will provide a new powerful marketing channel for you to use for trade missions, conferences and exhibitions at national and international levels.

·        Will allow quick and easy access to quality training and expertise in specialist areas.

·        Take advantage of our re-skilling and up-skilling green programs.

·        Utilize and develop existing links with professional bodies, enterprise boards, semi state bodies, government advisory councils, and other funding agencies.

The fee will entitle members to:

·        Monthly Ezine

·        2 national network events

·        Access to subsidised training (up to 50%)

·        Feature in Green Tech Skillnet Social Networking site  - LINKEDin

·        Access to Domestic and International GreenTech Company Search 

·        International Publications Library

 

Interested parties please register your interest using the survey link to evaluate what members are looking for and need in today's current climate:

 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZPWFGSB

 

The brochure and membership form can be found at

http://www.syspro.ie/greentech/brochure_greentech_lower_res.pdf

Closing date for the Skillnet funding is 28^th February 2010.  Payment is due on 1^st April 2010 for membership on confirmation of funding.  There are a number of conditions which need to be fulfilled in order to succeed in obtaining the application.

 

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me on 086 0266699 or sgallagher@syspro.ie

 

Waste Prevention & Awareness Workshops

Dear 0038000000YzOQ0,   West Cork Development Partnership in conjunction with the Environmental Awareness & Research Unit in Cork County Council presents an information seminar on Waste Prevention Opportunities for Businesses in the Catering & Hospitality Sector.   This seminar will take place on Tuesday, 16th February from 10 am – 11.30 am in the Quality Hotel Clonakilty.   Please click here for further information.   To book a place, please contact Claire Kelly at 021 4613432 or claire.kelly@corkcoco.ie.   If you know of anyone who might benefit from this workshop, please pass on this information.

ART BREA Spring Seminar Announcement

Seminar Announcement

The Association of Rivers Trusts Spring 2010 Seminar

Hosted by the Ballinderry River Enhancement Association

Turning Policy into Practice:

The role of 'wet feet' organisations

Wednesday 19

th and Thursday 20th May 2010

A one day seminar and half day field trip (Ballinderry River system)

The Glenavon House Hotel

Cookstown, Co. Tyrone

Northern Ireland

2010 marks a significant milestone in the management of our freshwater ecosystems.

After nearly a decade of planning, River Basin Management Plans, developed under the

Water Framework Directive, will be put into action for the first time, with the aim of

achieving good ecological status by 2015.

2010 is also the International Year of Biodiversity, challenging us all to reflect on our

achievements in protecting biodiversity so far and to focus on what needs to be done in the

future.

The seminar will focus on what Rivers Trusts and like-minded organisations are doing to

help deliver EU and local objectives for freshwater, its species and habitats; with a special

emphasis on the importance of partnership working.

Speakers from across the UK and Ireland will demonstrate the wide and varied work of

Rivers Trusts, with a special keynote address from the Northern Ireland Minister for the

Environment Mr Edwin Poots MLA.

Registration documents will be available at the beginning of February, however you

can

register your interest in attending the seminar and field trip by responding to

brea@ballinderryriver.org

or by calling Mark Horton on 00 44 (0)28 867 61515