Horizons

Set the alarm bells ringing:Church bells will ring out in towns and cities across Ireland next Saturday at 2pm calling for strong political action on climate change.

In Dublin, members of the non- governmental environmental lobby group Stop Climate Chaos will gather at 1pm at the Civic Offices amphitheatre to join a "Parade for the Planet" to the Customs House.

There, the government will be invited to receive 25,000 signatures from people demanding action on climate change.

In other areas, local communities in towns and cities are encouraged to "sound the alarm for action on climate chaos" by making as much noise as they can (with alarm clocks, hand-bells, mobile phones, drums, etc) on Saturday next to demonstrate their support for the call to action.

Stop Climate Chaos was formed last year to lobby for action on climate change and is an alliance of development, faith and environmental organisations. See www.stopclimatechaos.ie

Saving biodiversity by degrees

Every business in Ireland could do something to protect our biodiversity. So said Minister for the Environment John Gormley at the recent launch of biodiversity protection guides for the construction, tourism and business sectors.

Simple steps such as avoiding the removal of trees and hedges on development sites and only planting native trees can protect species of plants, animals, birds and insects. Checking whether timber can be got from a sustainable forest or whether your waste and recycling is being disposed of legally are other important measures businesses can take.

The guidelines are available as step-by-step guides from local authorities, the Construction Federation of Ireland, Chambers Ireland and Fáilte Ireland or on www.noticenature.ie

Sustainable journalism

The second issue of Sustainability magazine hits the shelves of bookstores and specialist newsagents this week. A serious quarterly journal, it focuses mainly on green building, renewable energies and how to build sustainable communities.

The current issue has articles on the population timebomb, the collapse of the Irish housing market, sustainable housing and the biofuel controversy. For subscription orders, contact the editor, Andy Wilson, Sustainability magazine, Corrig, Sandyhill, Westport, Co Mayo, or see www.sustainability.ie

Festive eco-fairs

Christmas craft fairs with an ecological flavour take place this weekend in two environmental centres. The first is on today and tomorrow from 10.30am to 5pm at Sonairte, the Ecology Centre, Laytown Road, Laytown, Co Meath. There will also be free entry to the garden and nature walks on the day.

Meanwhile, the Irish Organic Centre in Rossinver, Co Leitrim, is hosting its annual Christmas craft fair in association with Crann, the broadleaf tree charity, tomorrow from 11am to 5pm. Admission €5. More details at www.theorganiccentre.ie