HORIZONS

Britain's climate-change lawFriends of the Earth in Ireland (FEI) has welcomed the introduction of the world's first climate-change law, which will come into force in Britain this month. "The UK becomes the first country to set legally- binding emissions targets and put in place a credible system for managing the shift to a low-carbon society," says Oisín Coghlan, director of FEI.

The new law sets a legally- binding target for the UK to reduce its emissions by 80 per cent by 2060. More than 50 per cent of company executives in the UK said they thought it would give businesses and investors confidence to invest in low- carbon technologies. "Our own government has promised to cut emissions by 3 per cent a year but without a legal framework, it won't happen," says Coghlan. "They should now re-start the debate on the climate bill Senator Ivana Bacik introduced in the Seanad a year ago," he adds. According to Coghlan, a majority of Irish TDs have expressed support for a climate-change law by signing the Stop Climate Chaos Call for Action. However, the Dáil has yet to debate the issue in full.

Slowly does it

"We have set speed as the measure by which our affairs are judged and so we are running down the gifts of nature faster than they can be replenished and we find ourselves with serious problems - climate change, an energy crisis, a financial crisis, overwork and personal stress." This comment by environmentalist Tony Weekes sets the tone for the Slow is Beautiful weekend, from Friday to Sunday next, at Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne,

Co Antrim. The gathering will be addressed by Jules Pretty, professor of environment and society at the University of Essex, eco-designer Simon O'Rafferty, slow-food advocate Graeme Kidd and others. The emphasis will be on reclaiming our time for recreation, family, social encounters and time to improve where we live. www.drumalis.co.uk or 0044-48-28272196.

An industrious people

Enthusiasts of the history of Irish industrial premises should take note of a conference on the archaeology of Irish industry on November 15th from 10am-4pm at the Louth County Museum, Dundalk, Co Louth. The conference will focus on recent archeological excavations, including gasworks at Islandbridge, Dublin, glassworks at Belfast's Sirocco Works and an Emergency-era explosives works in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. Booking is essential, see www.ihai.ie.

Third rock from the sun

Astronomy Ireland's annual astronomy exhibition is on today in the Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin. The show offers visitors opportunities to explore planetaria, observatories, meteorites and telescopes. Nasa scientist Dr James McAteer will speak about the sun while the Irish asteroid discovery team will speak about their discoveries. Opening hours are noon to 6pm. See www.astronomy.ie. Meanwhile, Planet Earth - Our Place in Space is the theme of a new exhibition at the National Museum of Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo. Held to coincide with the International Year of Planet Earth, the exhibition gives a first-hand, up-close look at rocks and minerals that make up the Earth. A highlight is Ireland's largest meteorite (27kg), which fell from the sky near Adare, Co Limerick in 1813. See www.museum.ie.

sthompson@irishtimes.ie

ECOWEB

www.terramadre.info

This site offers plenty of opportunities to browse through the speeches and campaigns on animal breeding, seed saving and sustainable farming at the recent Slow Food International event held in Turin, Italy