Horizons

Habitats under threat: Thinning ice and longer summers are destroying the habitat of the polar bear, delegates at a conference on global warming and native communities in Alaska were told recently.

Such patterns are being repeated around the world, according to a report presented at the EU conference on the impact of climate change on migratory species in Scotland this week.

The report, commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in Britain, makes gloomy predictions about the world's animal populations.

For instance, one-third of turtle nesting sites in the Caribbean will be swamped by rising sea levels. Whales, salmon, cod, penguins and kittiwakes are all affected by declining plankton due to warmer sea surface temperatures. And, increased dam-building is affecting the natural migratory patterns of tucuxi, the South American river dolphins. Many environmentalists are pessimistic about the prospects of halting, let alone, reversing the trend.

Trees for Bees

Scientist and philosopher Albert Einstein once said that if bees disappeared from the earth, humankind would also disappear in one generation. Trees for Bees is the theme of this year's National Tree Day on Thursday.

Primary schoolchildren will go on guided woodland walks at more than 120 locations across Ireland.

The aim of tree day, now in its ninth year, is to create a learning experience that will make children aware of the magic, beauty and importance of trees. A poster showing the interdependence of bees and trees will be sent to all schools. See also www.treecouncil.ie

Sustainable living festival

What steps should be taken to ensure Ireland continues to thrive in a world where supplies of oil and gas are constrained? This question and others relating to higher energy prices will be discussed at a day-long conference on Wednesday.

At 8pm, that evening, former junior minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in Britain, Michael Meacher, will speak about the emerging oil crisis, the dangers of genetic modification and the challenges of climate change.

Both events will be held in Cultivate, 15-19 Essex Street West, Temple Bar, Dublin.

They are part of the ninth Convergence Sustainable Living Festival which runs from Wednesday until Sunday, October 16th. See www.sustainable.ie/convergence for full programme details. Contact 01-6745773. See also www.energyscenariosireland.com

Volunteers for clean-up

Bull Island Action Group which carries out monthly clean-ups on the island nature reserve, are looking for new volunteers. Parts of the island become heavily littered and the

group diligently go to work one Saturday a month for about two hours. Litter pickers, gloves and rubbish bags are provided and insurance is also arranged for participants.

Join next Saturday's clean up at 11am, meeting at the entrance to Dollymount Strand on Bull Island or contact Donal McGuirk on 087-6887468 to volunteer for future clean-ups.