Water, water, not everywhere: "The wars of this century may well be fought around water," said Father Sean McDonagh, environmental campaigner and author at a lunchtime talk in ENFO, Dublin on Thursday to mark World Environment Day.
Speaking on this year's theme - Water: Two billion beople are dying for it - McDonagh discussed areas of potential crisis, including the Middle East (where 10 times more water is available to Israelis than Palestinians) and India/ Pakistan (where India is threatening to divert tributaries going to Pakistan).
"The tragedy is that 2.1 billion people don't have access to clean water each day, and if we continue the way we are going, two-thirds of the world's population will live in water- stressed areas," warned McDonagh.
One of the disasters of development work in Africa is that 30 per cent of the wells constructed there aren't working, added Gerry Cunningham of the Ireland Aid Programme. Both speakers discussed fears about water becoming privatised on a large scale.
Rows over hedgerows
The uprooting of hedges during site-clearance for new houses is one of the scandals of rural-housing in Ireland. And if many of the new occupants realised that ridding their site of hedges not only leads to a loss of wildlife (presumably one of the reasons they moved to the countryside to begin with) but, also, a potential deterioration in the quality of their water, more might retain them. Research in France has found that good hedge networks in the landscape improve water quality. Find out more about the beauty and environmental benefits of hedges in the hedgerow exhibition currently on show at ENFO, 17 St Andrew's St, Dublin. Workshops for school-going children run daily. Exhibition ends July 11th. Admission free. Tel: 01-8882001
Volunteer for dirty work
Interested in getting dirt under your nails for the sake of nature conservation? If so, check out the summer projects run by Conservation Volunteers Ireland. This year's venues include Raven Nature Reserve, Co Wexford (June 22nd-27th), Brackloon Woods in Westport, Co Mayo (July 13th-18th), Wicklow Mountains National Park (non-residential weekends throughout the summer) and Arklow Town. Also, training courses in gardening for birds and dry stone walling in June. Details from CVI on tel: 01-4952878 or e-mail info@cvi.ie
Endangered island life
Fears for unsustainable development on Bere Island in Bantry Bay, Co Cork, have prompted the new conservation plan for the island, launched last week. With a declining population (currently 200 residents, as compared to 2,000 in the 1850s), island life is in danger of disappearing. Ecotourism, organic farming, a fisheries co-operative and a themed walking route are among the initiatives suggested in the conservation plan from the Heritage Council, Cork County Council and the Bere Island inhabitants. The plan may also help other struggling island communities. Copies at €15 available from the Heritage Council on tel: 056-70777.
Finally, a reminder that World Oceans Day will be celebrated around Howth Pier from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow, with guided walks, information stands and fun and games for children.