Horizons

OPW plans to improve park lifeWhen a transport study commissioned by the Office of Public Works found that about 10 million car journeys were made through the Phoenix Park every year, even the officials in charge were aghast at the finding.

Curtailing the use of minor roads for "rat-running", cutting the speed limits within the parks and developing a system of one-way exits and entrances at some of the park gates were immediately proposed as measures to reduce traffic. Since the study last year, few of these measures have been put in place, but a spokesman for the OPW said they remain on the agenda of the new park-management plan, which also includes protection of flora and fauna (particularly the deer population), development of recreational uses (such as an extensive cycling network) and conservation and enhancement of the natural landscape (tree planting, for example). Members of the public are now invited to express their views on how the park - which is the largest urban park in Europe - should be managed. Submissions should be made by post or e-mail to Laura Farrell, Superintendent's Office, OPW Whitefields, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. E-mail: laura.farrell@opw.ie. June 5th is the closing date.

Let's talk about change

Climate Change: Join the Low-Carbon Revolution is the theme of a weekend exploring climate change - and the political action and changes in lifestyle necessary to reduce it - on Saturday and Sunday, May 19th and 20th in the Tí Chulainn cultural activity centre, Mullaghbane, Newry, Co Down. Events include a talk on the challenges facing politicians by broadcaster Duncan Stewart and an evening debate on climate change with leading church figures, chaired by BBC Radio Ulster presenter William Crawley. See www.foe.co.uk/northern_ireland.

Picturing a greener future

Congratulations to Dublin student Ciara O'Grady (17) who was the overall winner of this year's Life Through a Lens photography competition for her creative photograph of a cyclist. "What one change will you make to be more energy efficient?" was the theme of this year's competition for secondary school students in the Republic and Northern Ireland. On receiving her prize earlier this week O'Grady said: "Even one small change like cycling to school instead of getting a lift can make a difference." The competition was organised jointly by Sustainable Energy Ireland and the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre of the Northern Ireland Energy Agency. Competition winners can be seen on www.sei.ie or at the Helix, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin until May 15th.

The hunter-gatherer within

Nature expert and author Richard Mabey champions inconvenience food. His latest book, Food for Free (Collins Press), was first published in 1972 and became a cult success as it struck a chord with the post-1960s generation seeking alternative ways of living. This new edition aims to encourage a new generation to explore seasonal, fresh, local and unusual produce that can be found in our countryside. Each entry is illustrated to help people safely identify up to 240 wild foods, covering plants, fungi, lichens, seaweeds and shellfish.

horizons@irish-times.ie

EcoWeb

www.stopclimatechaos.ie

The new coalition of non-governmental organisations campaigning to ensure Ireland plays its part in preventing runaway climate change.