Horizons

Rebuilding the ozone layer

These days, all we hear about is global warming and climate change, but 20 years ago a lot of emphasis was placed on preserving the ozone layer, which plays an important role in filtering out most of the sun's harmful rays. The Montreal Protocol, an international agreement on protecting the ozone layer, was drawn up in 1987 and since then most ozone-depleting substances in products such as fire extinguishers, pesticides, fridges, freezers and aerosols have been phased out of production and use.

Natural recovery (to pre-1980s level) of the ozone layer over the Antarctic is now expected to be completed by 2065, and 2007 has been designated International Year of the Ozone Layer in recognition of the success of the Montreal Protocol. "It is a credit to regulators, international business and the industrial community that such success has been achieved in phasing out the chemicals that damage the ozone layer," says Gerry Byrne, programme manager of the Environmental Protection Agency. "This goes to show that global environmental agreements can work when full commitment is given by all players to a common goal."

See also www.epa.ie and http://ozone.unep.org

Water's wasted journey

We've all heard of "food miles", but now an Irish environmental expert is encouraging us to think about "water miles", which refers to the transport of water between international markets. "For every mile that water travels through shipping and air transport, carbon dioxide emissions in the environment are increased significantly. It seems absurd that we import foreign bottled water when it is abundant locally," says Geoff Fitzpatrick of Euro environmental services.

One of the services offered by Euro is the monitoring and analysis of surface water, ground water and drinking water.

Conserving with care

The sensitive conservation of Italian hilltop villages, the conservation of the Berlin Wall and Green Roof technology - these are just some of the topics which will be discussed at a conference on planning and design for heritage and development on October 11th and 12th in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dún Laoghaire. Organised by Tim Carey, heritage officer with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the conference is aimed at property developers, architects, heritage professionals, ecologists, planners and archaeologists. Speakers will show how development and heritage aren't mutually exclusive and discuss the importance of developing plans for historic landscapes. Tel: 01-2054700 See also www.dlrcoco.ie

Art Deco lecture

The work of Art Deco muralist, mosaicist, painter and decorative artist Hildreth Meière (1892-1961) will be the subject of a lecture in the Irish Architectural Archive, 45 Merrion Square, Dublin on Thursday at 6pm. The Art Deco plaques on the exterior wall of Radio City Music Hall in New York are possibly Meière's most famous designs. The lecture will be given by her daughter, Louise Meière Dunn.

Advanced booking essential on Tel: 01-6633040 or by e-mail slincoln@iarc.ie  www.iucnredlist.org

Check out the latest list of endangered species (known as the red list) on this authoritative site of the World Conservation Union.