HORIZONS

Irish visit by Erin BrockovichThe public talk by American campaigner, Erin Brockovich in the O'Reilly Hall, UCD, Belfield, Dublin, at 1pm next Saturday is sure to be the highlight of this year's National Organic Week, which runs from Monday to Saturday.

Brockovich is famous for an investigation which established that residents of Hinkley, California, had been exposed to toxic Chromium 6 as a result of a leak into the groundwater from a nearby Pacific Gas and Electric Company plant. In 1996, as a result a huge lawsuit, the company paid the largest toxic tort injury settlement in American history. Brockovich will speak about the power of one individual to create lasting change, the importance of truth-telling and transparency in high places, the feminine approach to tackling problems and the future of organic food. Tickets at €27.65 are available from www.ticketmaster.ie or 0818-719300. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the GM Free Ireland Network.

Organic food conference

The annual Irish Organic Farmers' and Growers' Association conference is on Sunday, September 21st, from 10.30am-1pm at Coolanowle Organic Farm, Ballickmoyler, on the Carlow/Laois border. Speakers include Alan Schofield from the Growers' Alliance in Britain. More details on 043-42495 or www.iofga.org

Carbon neutral exhibition

The Irish Sustainable Building Show runs alongside the building exhibition in the Simmonscourt pavilion, RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin, from Thursday to Saturday next. Billed as Ireland's only carbon neutral exhibition, the hosts justify their claim by purchasing carbon credits from the environmentally-friendly cement company, Ecocem (see www.ecocem.ie). There will be more than 100 exhibitors and experts will speak on issues including the building energy rating which comes into effect on homes for sale or rent from January 2009. Opening hours are 11am-8pm on Thursday and Friday and 10am-5pm on Saturday. See www.sustainablebuildingshow.com

Let there be light

Sustainable Energy Ireland has organised a roadshow on lighting which will travel around the country in October and November. Aimed at manufacturers, suppliers, engineers, architects, interior designers and lighting retailers, the event will feature talks by a lighting expert on how to use lighting effectively, efficiently and in an energy-saving manner without compromising quality or style. See www.sei.ie/brightideas to register for talks in Dundalk, Dublin, Wexford, Cork and Sligo.

Turn over a new leaf

Families keen to enjoy the autumnal foliage have a few interesting events to choose from in Co Wicklow this month. Tomorrow at 2.30pm, there will be a free guided walk with a focus on the uses of timber in the National Botanic Garden's Kilmacurragh Arboretum. On Sunday, September 28th at 2.30pm in the same venue, there will be another free guided walk focusing on the names of trees and plants. To book, phone 0404-48844. Meanwhile, next Saturday in Knocksink Wood near Enniskerry, there will be a tree walk for families and lots of fun activities. Booking at 0404-45425 is essential.