# Biodiversity
Last week
21st May 2023 - 27th May 2023
# rewetting bogs
Some aspects of proposed Nature Restoration Law 'go too far' says Taoiseach
Leo Varadkar says some proposals in the new law do not fully recognise land use in Ireland.
# Nature
Degraded land in Dublin mountains to be restored under new biodiversity project
The project is seeking to restore land and improve biodiversity across 2,000 hectares around the Glenasmole Valley.
Last month
May 2023
Voices
Biodiversity: The Bee Guy shares some home truths about saving the bees
Paul Handrick of the Bee Sanctuary is taking issue with the direction of the ‘save the bees’ narrative.
THE MORNING LEAD
Green MEPs 'very' concerned by opposition to plan for restoring nature and rewetting Irish bogs
Two Green MEPs from Ireland and Germany gave an in-depth interview to The Journal on the proposed Nature Restoration Law.
Voices
Extract: 'There is a legend that all the Irish rivers were created by a single hailstorm'
Ecologist and author, Richard Nairn shares an excerpt from his new book Wild Waters.
# deer forum
Over 80% believe national deer herd is damaging biodiversity as call for cull grows
Over 1,500 people took part in a public consultation on the issue.
This year
2023
# Nature
Children's assembly on biodiversity calls on Ireland to 'treat the Earth like family'
Young people aged seven to 17 have created nearly 60 recommendations on protecting and restoring Ireland’s biodiversity.
Voices
Opinion: We have many lost Irish woodlands - let's document, cherish and protect them
The best place to rebuild our native woodlands is from the remnants of ancient ones which still exist, writes Ray Ó Foghlú.
Voices
The Bee Guy: It's Mother's Day soon, so let's pause and thank the original mother - this planet
Paul Handrick of The Bee Sanctuary pays tribute to his late mother and the way she inspired him to champion biodiversity.
# Biodiversity
Over half of Ireland’s native plants have declined since the 1950s
A 20-year research project blamed agriculture, climate change and non-native invasive species for the decline.
# Biodiversity
United Nations reach landmark agreement to protect ocean life
An agreement to protect marine life in the regions outside national boundary waters, known as the high seas, had been discussed for more than 20 years.
# Drop the shears
Public reminded not to cut hedges from today to protect nesting birds
The annual summer ban comes into force comes into force today until the end of August.
THE MORNING LEAD
Ireland fares worst at managing protected nature sites in new EU report
Out of 10 countries, Ireland underperformed in every measure aimed at protecting at-risk species such as the curlew and corncrake.
Report examined the effectiveness of measures to protect vulnerable species in Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
No Irish case had targeted, measurable and time-bound conservation measures to deliver the favourable status of species
"Incomplete and/or irregular” monitoring of many species also found
# Nature
Assembly on biodiversity calls on Government to reassess aims of Coillte at final meeting
The assembly’s conclusions so far include that the State has “comprehensively failed” on biodiversity.
# Biodiversity
Two thirds of reef sharks and rays risk extinction due to climate change and overfishing
Sharks are under most threat in the Western Atlantic and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Last year
2022
Voices
Malcolm Noonan: It's not enough to watch threatened species struggle to survive
The Green Party TD looks at the agreement at Cop 15 Biodiversity conference in Canada and says time is running out for nature.
Voices
Opinion: Our fields may be green, but we are failing to protect biodiversity
Professor Jane Stout looks at the COP15 UN biodiversity conference underway in Canada and reminds us why it is so important.
# Biodiversity
Pesticide lobbyists pushing against environmental protections, research finds
A UN conference in Montreal is trying to finalise a new framework for living in harmony with nature.
# COP15
Call to deliver global deal for nature at UN biodiversity conference
Cop15 talks kick off in Montreal this week, with pressure on to strike an historic deal to reverse nature declines.
# Australia
Australia to lobby against ‘endangered’ status for Great Barrier Reef
A UN report released yesterday warned that without ‘ambitious, rapid and sustained’ climate action, the world’s largest coral reef is in peril.
# Nature
Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity to hear from Dr Jane Goodall at final meeting
The assembly will send recommendations to the government on how to solve the biodiversity emergency.
Voices
Opinion: The war in Ukraine is also a war on nature
Ukrainian writer and journalist Polina Bashkina is living in Ireland while war rages at home – she looks at the impact the war is having on the environment.
Voices
Opinion: This planet is not one we 'own' - it's a resource we share
Environmental campaigner Jamie Rohu says we must rethink our relationship with the natural world.
# marine biodiversity
UN session on high seas biodiversity ends without agreement
After 15 years, negotiators have yet to reach a legally binding text to address the multitude of issues facing international waters.
# Kerry
Taoiseach releases eagle chicks in biodiversity initiative to restore native bird to Irish skies
This year a total of sixteen young eagles will be released at three sites across Munster.
Voices
Opinion: In order to tackle the climate crisis, we must look to collective action
Dr Patrick Bresnihan and Dr Fiadh Tubridy write that action on social problems should be considered a core part of the climate movement.
# Bye Son
Two bison from Ireland are now roaming a UK forest for biodiversity
A Scottish matriarch and two Irish youngsters have been released, with a German bull set to complete the herd.
# factory farm
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Is Ireland a dumping ground for poultry manure?
Noteworthy’s Niall Sargent and journalist Ella McSweeney tell Susan Daly about concerns over the cross-border poultry manure trade.
# Biodiversity
'The ocean is not a rubbish dump': UN tells leaders to take action on protecting seas
At the heart of a draft biodiversity treaty is a plan to designate 30% of land and oceans as protected zones by 2030.
# Investigation
Peat’s Sake: Leading company under EPA spotlight for potential unlicensed extraction
Noteworthy investigation reveals Klasmann-Deilmann Ireland is one of a dozen large-scale peat extractors currently being investigated by the environmental watchdog.
The Irish branch of peat giant Klasmann-Deilmann is being investigated by the EPA in relation to peat extraction in the Midlands, writes Noteworthy’s Niall Sargent
In June 2021, the EPA warned Klasmann it was of the view that the company was committing a serious and ongoing breach of EU environmental law
Almost a dozen other large-scale peat extractors are also under investigation by the environmental watchdog
# citizens assembly
Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity loss to visit three examples of biodiversity management
The assembly is tasked with making recommendations to the Oireachtas on how the State should tackle biodiversity loss.
# Investigation
Over the Hill: Persistent overgrazing causing 'devastation' in vulnerable habitats
Many upland areas are experiencing ongoing grazing pressure and degradation, with rare plants disappearing.
Many upland areas are experiencing grazing pressure and degradation, with rare plants disappearing
Anthea Lacchia of investigative platform Noteworthy reports that overgrazing remains an issue despite being recognised as a problem for at least two decades
Protected areas will be lost if farmers are not given more support, according to experts
# Biodiversity
€17 million needed to save Ireland’s most threatened birds says BirdWatch Ireland
The organisation says that several ground nesting birds are at risk of extinction without funding for conservation schemes.
Voices
The Bee Guy: On World Bee Day, let's not just focus on the honey bees
Paul Handrick says time is running out for wild bees but there’s lots we can do to help.
# planting a seed
New Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity loss officially launched at first meeting today
Over the next six months, a citizens’ assembly will hear evidence and made recommendations for the good of Ireland’s biodiversity.
# Decline
At least one in five reptile species threatened by extinction in biodiversity crisis
Before now, researchers did not have a comprehensive picture of the risk to reptiles.
Voices
The Bee Guy: Diary of a mother bumble bee stuck at the window
Paul Handrick charts the story of that one bee you hear tapping at the window to get out, and he asks us to help her escape.
# get set
'One of the most important and defining issues': Citizens' assembly on biodiversity launched
A citizens’ assembly on Dublin’s governance will also begin this afternoon.
# peat sake
Peat pressure: Industrial peat extraction in enforcement firing line
Historic problems revealed in crackdown on extraction without planning permission and EPA licensing.
Historic problems in enforcement of large-scale peat extraction in Ireland has led to the loss of precious bog, writes Niall Sargent
Noteworthy investigates the case of Harte Peat found to be operating in breach of EU law
12 other peat extractors are now also subject to ongoing EPA enforcement action
# Wildfire
'Incredibly difficult' to prosecute people for starting illegal fires, Heritage Minister says
Malcolm Noonan yesterday condemned an illegal 300-hectare fire in Wicklow Mountains National Park.
