Butterfly barometer:Counting butterflies has been found to be one of the best ways of monitoring the effects of climate change in Ireland.
The Irish butterfly-monitoring scheme, now in its third year, is seeking volunteers to take weekly walks in specified areas this summer to check rises and falls in different butterfly species. Meanwhile, a series of workshops on how to identify and record bumblebees, spiders, moths and other markers of biodiversity will be held in the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Waterford Institute of Technology, on Saturdays from May 23rd to September 12th. 051-306240, www.biodiversityireland.ie
Hedgerow horror
The Irish hedgerow is suffering “death by a thousand cuts”, according to Padraic Fogarty, chairman of the Irish Wildlife Trust. The body has launched a name-and-shame campaign for hedgerow cutting, pointing out that it is illegal to cut hedgerows between March 1st and August 1st. “Many county councils and land managers seem only to cut hedges during this time. Either they are unaware that they are breaking the law or simply don’t care,” says Fogarty. As well as providing a home to wildlife, hedgerows clean the air, reduce flooding, store carbon and define our landscape. www.iwt.ie
Colleges save their energy
Four Dublin colleges have saved €3 million by reducing the energy used on campus over four years. The most recent figures over the last two years identified a 6 per cent reduction in energy used in 37 buildings in Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, Dublin City University and the Dublin Institute of Technology.
The scheme, named e3, involved analysing energy consumption, and identifying opportunities for saving and implementing change. It is part funded by Sustainable Energy Ireland. www.sei.ie
ECOWEB
www.change.ie
A carbon management tool for businesses has just been added to this Government-backed site. The tool, which was tested in the private and public sectors, allows corner shops, offices, and small and large enterprises to calculate emissions from energy, transport, water and waste. It also offers confidential guidance on how to make the cuts, with personal log-in details for users.
sthompson@irishtimes.com
