Global dimming: You've heard of global warming, but what about global dimming?
The term refers to a decrease in the amount of sunlight getting through to the earth's surface because of pollution. The dimming of sunlight levels is also believed to have caused significant underestimations of the extent to which global warming has been increasing. The problem was first identified in 2001 by Gerry Stanhill, an English scientist based in Israel. When comparing sunlight records from the 1950s to current ones, he noticed a 22 per cent drop. Further investigation led to the discovery that sunlight had declined globally between 1 and 2 per cent per decade. Dimming is believed to be the result of air pollution from fossil fuels. As the pollution clouds the sky, it reflects sunlight back into space, averting its arrival on earth. Further concerns are that such dimming may disrupt the world's rainfall patterns, causing unpredictable droughts and storms in various parts of the world.
Wood management course
The Centre for Environmental Living and Training (CELT) is currently running an introductory course on sustainable woodland management at Bealkelly Wood, Tuamgraney, Co Clare. The course, which runs over a series of 12 Sunday afternoons, will teach participants how to identify typical woodland flora, fauna, habitats and ecosystems followed by the techniques required for sustainable propagation, planting and maintenance of woodlands. Registration for the course goes ahead tomorrow and next Sunday. Course fee €165. Also, outdoor enthusiasts in the area should note that there will be a guided walk on the theme of biodiversity in Raheen Oak Wood, Tuamgraney, on Saturday next at 2 p.m., meeting at the East Clare Heritage Centre, Tuamgraney, at 1.45 p.m. See also www.celtnet.org
Bird conference
A little advance notice for the All-Ireland Bird Conference which will be held this year in Killyhevlin Hotel, Co Fermanagh, from March 11th-13th. This year's theme is Celebration and Inspiration and will feature discussion about wetlands in the Middle East, the Sumatran rainforest and non-avian life found on Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reserves. There will also be tours to Donegal Bay, Upper Lough Erne and Killybegs. Contact 048-90690843 or Stephanie.Sim@rspb.org.uk
Competition reminders
Completed projects on air, water, waste, energy, biodiversity or eco-enterprise for this year's ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalists Awards must reach the ECO-UNESCO offices, 26 Clare St, Dublin 2, by February 28th. See www.ecounesco.ie. The closing date for registration for the Sustainable Energy Ireland cross-Border photographic competition, Life Through A Lens is February 25th. Photographs should show examples of wasteful practises which lead to climate change and environmental damage. Contact www.sei.ie/photocompetition or schools@sei.ie or call 1850-376666 for more details. The closing date for entries to the photographic competition is March 16th.