Sylvia Thompson hears some hopes for the year ahead from individuals working to make a cleaner, healthier world.
Stephanie Bourke - chair of An Taisce - The National Trust for Ireland Towards the end of 2003, the Republic's population passed four million, a figure already recorded in this country in 1871. What is new is our changed physical, social and economic environment and our capacity to diminish or enhance it.
In 2004, I would like to see more environmental awareness, education, recognition and responsibility. The An Taisce "Green Schools" programme, which has the highest participation rates internationally, is one way of bringing a consciousness and concern for the environment to children and through them to the wider community. I would also like to see the environment and sustainable development move to the centre of our individual and collective thinking. The environment cannot be boxed and archived.
Billy Flynn - secretary of Irish Wildlife Trust
The Irish Wildlife Trust does not wish that it could be Christmas every day. However, it does wish that Irish people could take at least one day every year and see our wild spaces and species in the same way that children see Christmas: special, magical, something to cherish. Or even one day to see our natural heritage with a child's interest, curiosity or awe. That one day could make the other 364 much brighter for our wildlife and habitats.
Paul Leech - architect and founding member of the Environmental and Sustainable Construction Association (Easca)
In 2004, we at Easca plan to set up an information centre for sustainable building. We will also be campaigning for more use of sustainable methods in building so that people can have healthier homes and workplaces. We feel very strongly that the public is not being given the option to use environmentally sound building techniques in this country. If there was one wish, it would be that the whole building sector embraced sustainable principles and practices so that our children do not look back at these years with a sense of wasted opportunity.
Michael Starrett - chief executive of the Heritage Council
In 2004, I would like us not to confine our thinking on heritage to protection of the old but to also think of heritage as fundamental to how we live now and how we want to shape the future.
I would like to see the establishment of a biological records centre and monument-grading system which would improve decision-making on infrastructural projects. I would also like to see legislation for our national parks that would invigorate them through greater community involvement and more widespread benefits to local people. Finally, I would like to see continuing positive support for local initiatives through our grant scheme and partnership work with local authorities.
Eric van Lennep and John Harrington - Cultivate, sustainable living centre, Temple Bar, Dublin
We would like people to see that our environment, economy, culture, community and larger society are so completely interlinked that every time they do or buy something, they consider not only the immediate financial costs, but equally the costs to the environment and other systems as well. For example, if you go to stay in a hotel, does the hotel have its own compost heap? Are supplies sourced from companies that support these same values themselves as much as possible? Are the coffee and tea cups reusable instead of disposable ones? Are the employees treated well and fairly paid? Basically, we would like businesses to realise that their companies can protect the environment, contribute to society while still making a profit, in fact by doing business more thoughtfully they will actually save money on operations and increase profits. The development of this form of "natural capitalism" is one of the many ideas promoted at our sustainable living centre, Cultivate, and which we will be looking at at Convergence, our sustainable living festival this spring.
Karin Dubsky - co-ordinator of Coastwatch Europe
If I had three wishes for our shores and sea, I would opt for a biodiversity awareness and protection campaign, run like the euro changeover campaign for the whole of Europe. My second wish would be for the birth of the overdue Irish coastal zone management strategy with an independent coastal zone management unit to spearhead implementation, closely linked to Northern Ireland. My last wish would be to have real public participation in plans, projects and licence applications, as well as monitoring and law enforcement in the coastal and marine environment, from now. A unique year of opportunity lies ahead with EU enlargement during our presidency and a platter of draft policies and strategies to push forward - including a first EU Marine policy, one on Use of Natural Resources and one on Waste Prevention. Imagine those tightened and passed in tandem with my three wishes. Heaven!
Elaine Nevin - director of Eco-Unesco, Ireland's national environmental organisation for young people
One of our aims this year is to develop critical thinking in young people by encouraging them to think about the natural world around them and take action. It is vital that everybody understands the interconnectedness of the natural world and its fragility. In 2004, I would like to see environmental education become an integral part of schools' curricula, youth organisations and youth-work programmes. At present its appearance often depends on interested individuals. I would like to see more modern learning techniques used with more emphasis placed on experiential learning and methods such as role plays, discussion work, drama.
I would like if groups involved in environmental awareness and education could form a more coherent body so that experiences and work practises could be exchanged. Finally, I would like to see more Government funding for youth work.
David Taylor - chief executive officer, Sustainable Energy Ireland
The big challenge for 2004 is to set the transport and electricity sectors on a sustainable course - to imp-rove and maintain service levels while limiting their emissions of greenhouse gases to their Kyoto 2010 targets. In the year in which we hold the presidency of an enlarged European Union, we need to look beyond our shores and draw lessons for a sustainable future on the island of Ireland.
The ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by Russia would re-invigorate a global process and increase our felt responsibility for a sustainable future. The effect of Russia, with its large energy reserves, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the EU would improve Irish and European energy security and contribute to the development of the Russian economy. Overall, our wish for 2004 is that more Irish people embrace the idea of sustainability and sustainable energy.