Horizons

Ethanol - fuel for thought: As policymakers and politicians reflect on the Government's first Green Paper on Energy, released earlier this week, it is interesting to look at how other countries are tackling energy scarcity. In the US, the rising use of corn-based ethanol as a fuel source is transforming agricultural land use and giving a boost to rural economies.

According to a report in the Financial Times, the new ethanol economy is having a profound impact on rural US, with ethanol-producing mills springing up in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Dakota. People are returning to these states to take up jobs in such ethanol plants. However, the surge in production is raising some concerns about over-production and declining stocks of corn as a food. Also, some foresee price wars, with Brazil currently producing ethanol from sugar.

Rethinking the city

The twin pressures of climate change and energy scarcity create an opportunity for entrepreneurs to design new products and technologies that use less fossil fuel. This is the motivation behind a seminar, Rethinking Design: Towards a Low-Carbon World, on Friday from 9am-5.30pm in the Cultivate Sustainable Living Centre, 15-19 Essex Street West, Temple Bar, Dublin. The aim is to stimulate our indigenous design sector and to develop productive international collaborations for sustainable solutions. Academic and industry speakers include Chris Shervin, sustainability adviser with UK-based Forum for the Future; Alastair Fuad-Luke, author of The Eco-design Handbook, and Ron Immink from Invent, Dublin City University. Cost €125. Booking 01-6746396. A Greening IT discussion takes place in the same venue on Thursday, 9am-5.30pm led by Alastair Fuad-Luke.

Georgian restoration

To highlight the level of interest in conservation and restoration of period houses, the Irish Georgian Society and Dublin City Council will hold demonstrations of traditional building skills for protected structures in the Red Stables, St Anne's Park, Raheny, Dublin, on Saturday and Sunday next. Craftsmen and women will be on hand to answer questions on a wide variety of skills. Opening hours 10am-5pm each day. Admission free. Details at 01-6767053 or info@igs.ie.

Tree time

The Ash tree will be celebrated on Thursday, the 10th annual Tree Day organised by the Tree Council of Ireland. More than 100,000 children from primary schools will take part in guided woodland walks at some 120 points around the country. The aim of Tree Day is to create a learning experience that will make children aware of the magic, beauty and importance of trees. The Ash is one of Ireland's most important native trees. Its timber is strong and flexible, making it ideal for hurleys, tool handles and oars. Ash is also used in furniture-making and wood turning. Currently, we do not grow enough ash trees to cater for our own needs. Resource packs on trees have been sent to schools throughout the country. See www.treecouncil.ie for more details.

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