What went down internationally on climate action in 2023

What went down internationally on climate action in 2023

What went down internationally on climate action in 2023

A photo of the Dubai skyline at sunset. The sky is pink and orange. The COP28 UAE logo is placed on top of the photo.

Image: Aleksandar Pasaric, Pexels

2023 was a massive year for climate events. From wild fires to environmental summits such as the much-awaited COP28, climate change has been a topic of significance. The dusk of 2023 closed with the COP28 in Dubai. At STAND News we look at all the noteworthy climate events and documents from 2023 and see what the future holds for climate goals.

 

Climate anomalies and disasters

 

2023 was the world’s hottest year on record yet according to NASA, America’s NOAA NCEI, Copernicus Climate Change Service and the UK Met Office. The Americas and Africa reported 2023 to be the hottest year in the respective continents, while Europe, Asia and Africa claim it to be the second warmest year on record. Record-breaking high temperatures were reported in parts of Asia (Laos, Bangladesh, Thailand and India), South America (Chile), US and Europe. Heatwaves were reported during the spring in Australia. Ocean temperatures around Turkey, Spain, Italy and Greece rose to unsafe levels.

 

Wildfires were reported in Italy, Greece and Chile. 2023 saw the century’s deadliest wildfire in the US, occurring on the island of Maui in Hawaii. It also shattered the record for most acres burnt in Canadian and North American history, burning over 45.7 million acres and causing widespread air quality deterioration across the continent. The deadliest and costliest cyclone of 2023 occurred in Libya.

 

COP 28

 

This international meeting was held in Dubai, UAE from 30th Nov to 6th December. The main highlight of the event was the Global stocktake (GST1). The Global stocktake was the first of its kind, where the global progress of achieving the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement was evaluated and a new course of action was drafted based on the findings.

Two reports were released from the stocktake; the synthesis report and technical report. The synthesis report highlighted that to reach the targets agreed to in the Paris agreement, nations must be more ambitious with their plans, that is, global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions need to be cut down to 43% by 2030, 60% by 2035 from 2019 levels and net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. It also called for developed countries to achieve net-zero much earlier than their counterparts and the global average. The technical report called for the enhancement of access to climate financing in developing countries, scaling up renewables with simultaneous phasing out of fossil fuels and an end to deforestation. The next Global stocktake will be carried out after 5 years, and so on every 5 years.

 

Health at COP28

 

There was a greater focus on the impact on health than in previous COP meetings. Over 40 million health professionals joined forces with civil organisations to push for greater focus on Climate related health issues. Currently, only 0.5% of global climate budgets are allocated to the health sector. The health workers pushed for allocation of a greater portion for health. For the first time in COP summit history, a whole day was allocated for health. WHO and Wellcome Trust hosted the COP28 Health pavilion.

Timelines for important global goals from COP28

2030

  • Triple Global renewable capacity

  • Reduce global GHG emissions by 43% compared to 2019 levels

  • Stop and reverse deforestation

2035

  • Reduce global GHG by 60% of 2019 levels

  • Global Net zero

Climate Change and Epidemics report 2023

 

The Climate Amplified Diseases and Epidemics (CLIMADE) consortium released a synthesis report which acts as a summary for policy makers. According to the report, a concerning range of pathogens have surfaced less than two years since the COVID 19 pandemic because of temperature rise, extreme climatic events and climate migration. Climate change has the potential to aggravate over 50% of known human pathogens. The global south suffers the largest health impacts due to climate change despite contributing less than 10% of GHG emissions. Increasing global temperatures facilitate survival of  disease vectors like mosquitoes, rodents and ticks and allow their move into previously unaffected areas.

 

Some climate change associated epidemics in 2023 include :

  • Following Pakistan’s devastating floods in 2022, malaria cases increased four-fold.
  • Malawi had its worst outbreak of Cholera in 2023.
  • There were massive outbreaks of Cholera in Zambia, Mozambique and Pakistan. The rates of infection were much higher than that in previous years because of flooding incidents.
  • The largest outbreaks of chikungunya and dengue ever recorded was seen in South Asia and South America.
  • Chikungunya and dengue epidemics were seen in previously unaffected areas such as Paraguay and Uruguay.
  • Tiger mosquitoes are increasing in Southern Europe, with outbreaks of Dengue in France and Italy, and chikungunya in Italy.
  • The USA saw its first local case of malaria.

State of the Energy Union report 2023

 

The European Commission released the State of the Energy Union report in October 2023. It laid out  all energy achievements of the EU in 2023. The EU diversified energy imports away from Russia and expanding imports of natural gas and LNG from Norway and the US, avoiding a major energy crisis and collapse of economy. In May 2023, the EU produced more energy from two renewable sources: wind and solar, than from fossil fuels. EU’s GHG emissions have fallen by 32.5% compared to 1990.

The document identified significant gaps with EUs action on climate challenges such as poor progress of climate action in agricultural sector, and a drew out a new path for energy transition. Circular economy is a key strategy to move towards environmental sustainability by reducing global material extraction and use by one third. EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act will incentivise recycling of critical raw materials in order to cover 15% of EU’s demand using secondary raw materials.

 

Climate Change Performance Index report 2024

 

What is it?

The Climate change performance index ranks 63 countries and the EU based on their performance on 4 climate action parameters: GHG emissions, renewable energy, energy use and climate policy. These countries account for 90% of the global GHG emissions. CCPI report for 2024 was unveiled at the COP28 on 8th December 2023 .

In 2024, Denmark ranks highest, EU made it to 16thand Ireland ranks number 43. The worst performer for the year goes to the oil nation of Saudi Arabia, the neighbour to COP28’s host. The G20 members account for more than 75% of the global GHG emissions but only 3 regions are among high performers (India, Germany and the EU), while Canada, Russia, Korea and Saudi Arabia are the among the worst performing G20 countries.

 

EU performance

The EU received a medium ranking on all 4 categories, moving up 3 spots compared to last year thanks to its climate policy document ‘Fit for 55’ package, adopted in April 2023. It aims to achieve 55% net emissions reduction from 1990 by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050.  The EU policy for promoting renewable energy, ‘Renewable energy directive’ (RED) was revised in Fit for 55, increasing share of renewable energy to 42.5% by 2030. The expert panel advises that EU should accelerate efforts to reduce energy demand. To increase EU’s fair contribution to fit the climate crisis, 90-95% emission cuts are required by 2040 according to the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC).

 

Denmark

Denmark maintained its position as the 2023’s highest performer this year as well. According to Denmark’s Climate act, it aims to reduce emissions by 70% by 2030 compared to 1990. However, CCPI experts claim that Danish climate action has been stagnant since October 2022. To reach the global 1.5-degree compatible carbon budget requires tightening of the 2030 target to 80% and moving net-zero target from 2050 to 2040.

One reason for its Denmark’s high ranking is that the country combines diplomacy with concrete climate partnerships. The CCPI demands that Denmark updates climate target sector wise to reflect Denmark’s share of carbon budget, land-use to support the country’s 2030 target, intact agricultural carbon tax and return of Danish politics to ambitious climate initiatives.

 

Ireland

Ireland ranks 43 this year, moving lower than last years’ 37th place, dropping 6 points. It performed medium in Renewable energy and Energy Use, and low in Climate Policy and GHG emissions. The report emphasises that Ireland lacks a long-term strategy for phasing out fossil fuels. The CCPI welcomes Ireland’s medium-term offshore wind and solar plans and advice that existing policies on climate be implemented rapidly.

 

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is the worst ranked country in 2024 among those surveyed. Renewable energy in primary energy supply is close to zero in the country. Its targets are too low. The Saudi Green Initiative of 2021 includes a target of planting 10 billion trees by 2030, however not much progress has been made with implementation so far. Saudi Arabia should seek to reduce its emissions by, for example, using its high potential for renewable energy production.

 

2024

 

So, what do we have to look forward to in 2024? There is a one-in-three chance that 2024 will be hotter than 2023 and a 99% change that it will be among the top five warmest years according to America’s NOAA National Centres for Environmental Information (NCEI). Scientists anticipate that 2024 will be an even warmer because of the El Niño event, which may likely produce severe drouths in some regions globally, causing further climate induced migrations of humans and animal life. The Amazon has been predicted to be the source of massive disease outbreak in the future because of deforestation induced migration of wildlife into cities resulting in a spillover effect of zoonotic pathogen to humans.

 

An event is to be held this year to provide parties to discuss plans for the next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) according to the findings of the global stocktake. The COP28 technical report calls on ministers to present updated 2030 NDCs and plans for 2035 NDCs at the 2024 UN general assembly. The next COP meeting, COP 29, will be held in Nov 2024 in Azerbaijan. Hopefully the world figures out how to stay on track to achieve the Paris Agreement by then.

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The difference between catastrophic wildfires and contained wildland fires

The difference between catastrophic wildfires and contained wildland fires

The difference between catastrophic wildfires and contained wildland fires

A photo of a firefighter standing near a wildfire.

Image: Welcomia

Throughout 2023, several countries encountered deadly fires which killed hundreds of people, displaced thousands of communities and demolished countless buildings. Some areas like Maui, Hawaii experienced their worst wildfire on record, while the effects of other fires, like those that occurred in Canada, were spread far, to places like New York. Wildfires are becoming more frequent and extreme, partially due to the effects of climate change, catalyzing more extreme droughts and higher temperatures.

 

Since the outbreak of several fires earlier this month, at least 131 people have died in Chile. This death toll is expected to rise significantly as hundreds remain missing, especially in the Valparaíso Province. The Chilean President Gabriel Boric has described this event as a “tragedy of very great magnitude”, with the fire destroying thousands of homes and displacing countless more people. The combination of low humidity, major drought and high temperatures produced by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation intensifies the severity of this wildfire. Although it has not been investigated thoroughly yet, the low level of precipitation perhaps contributed to the drying out of plants, providing continuous fuel for the fire to spread at a rapid rate, whilst heavy winds ensure the longevity of the event.

 

So what is the difference between these deadly wildfires and beneficial wildland fires? Some scientists believe that, once they remain contained and are not catastrophic, wildfires are a valuable ecosystem service. As a result, they become known as wildland fires, prescribed burns used to promote biodiversity and increase soil fertility.

Could this new method of land management, along with modern technology, be implemented to aid the future of the environment?

According to scientists Juli Pausas and Jon Keeley, wildfires, or wildland fires, are “a globally important and integral part of many ecosystems, playing key roles in ecosystem dynamics and the retention of species that have evolved in response to fire”. From increasing pollination to extending the flowering periods of numerous plants, contained wildland fires have a surprisingly positive effect on natural landscapes.

A photo of a wildfire in a forest.

Image: Saravanan Narayanan, Pexels

Despite the barren bleakness that usually inhabits images of post-fire environments, wildland fires promote floral and pollinator diversity, posing long-term benefits for the surrounding areas.

A Harvard University study has estimated that the current global pollination crisis has led to approximately 500,000 early deaths a year due to the reduction in the supply of healthy foods. Whilst fires do have a negative effect on ecosystems, they also have the ability to introduce a variety of pollinators and eradicate pests and parasites, a solution which could be explored to reinvent farming practices.

 

Prescribed burns also contribute to the prevention of disastrous naturally occurring wildfires. They remove the layer of dead organic material which inhabits a forest’s floor, simultaneously allowing sunlight to reach struggling plants beneath and eliminating a layer of fuel which a wildfire would use to quicken and intensify. This controlled manner of removing decaying organic matter reduces the risk of a more devastating and rapid wildfire.

 

After a year of wildfires which had detrimental impacts on communities across the world, and a climate that is increasing in temperature, most naturally-occurring wildfires cannot unfortunately be prevented. However, new modern technology like Artificial Intelligence remote sensors, can allow for the earlier detection of wildfires, aiding the specificity of evacuation notices and hopefully resulting in a decrease in deaths.

 

Wildland fires can be ecosystem services, once they are contained and attentively managed, combating agricultural issues and prolonging the survival of various species, preventing extinction. Through this differing perspective, these fires can be efficiently utilised to render long-term benefits for the planet. 

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Why the EU Nature Restoration Act incites division across Europe

Why the EU Nature Restoration Act incites division across Europe

Why the EU Nature Restoration Act incites division across Europe

A photo of the Irish landscape, with trees and a waterfall in the foreground, and Castletown manor in the background.

Image: tab1962

The Nature Restoration Law, a key part of the EU Green New Deal, aims to “restore ecosystems, habitats and species across the EU’s land and sea areas” in order to protect the region’s failing biodiversity and meet climate mitigation targets. It was first adopted as a proposal by the European Commission last year and has since undergone heavy criticism by groups claiming to protect farmer’s interests, spawning fervent debate and a misinformation campaign.

 

Biodiversity under threat

 

 

The state of nature in the EU is in serious decline with 80% of habitats in bad or poor conservation status. The Nature Restoration Law, if passed, would be one of the EU’s biggest pieces of climate-positive legislation to date, requiring member states to introduce nature restoration measures on a fifth of their land and sea by 2030, and all ecosystems by 2050.

 

In July this year, following mounting opposition, the European Parliament voted to keep the bill alive by a razor-thin margin with 324 votes in favour and 312 against. All Irish MEPS voted in support of the law. The bill will now undergo Trilogue negotiations between the European Commission, Council and Parliament in September before passing into law by the end of the year.

 

However, the final version of the bill that passed the Parliament’s intense scrutiny underwent thousands of amendments and as a result was significantly diminished, particularly in the section that details the role of agriculture in nature restoration. This was largely due to fierce lobbying by the conservative European People’s Party which claims to be acting on the behalf of farmers across Europe against the so-called ‘green agenda’ but in reality, may only be working to secure the farmer’s vote in next year’s European election.

 

Independent MEP Mick Wallace said the final text was “absolutely gutted” and a “shell” of the original proposal. While climate activists, scientists and large food multinationals rejoiced at the news that the historic bill would be saved, it was described as a “bittersweet victory” by Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe.

 

On the other side of the divide, farmer suspicion remains. Despite the watered down proposal the President of the Irish Farmers Association Tim Cullinan expressed concern about the “significant ramifications” of the law when passed.

 

Populist responses to the climate crisis

 

 

A noteworthy loss to the bill was the removal of Article 9, which called for the rewetting of degraded peatlands. Wetlands have been particularly damaged by unsustainable agricultural practices in the EU; studies show that up to 80% of Ireland’s peatland is degraded. As ‘carbon sinks’, healthy peatlands can absorb nearly twice as much carbon dioxide than the world’s forests combined. Rewetting peatland would boost progress towards carbon emission targets set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement and allow biodiversity to flourish. The presence of this article was a pressure point during negotiations in the European Parliament with farming groups insisting that rewetting would threaten livelihoods and endanger food security. These concerns have been debunked by scientists who say the biggest threat to food security and livelihoods is uncontrolled climate change.

A social media post from the European People's Party, a conservative group in the EU. There is a photo of cottages in the countryside. Below it, text reads: It doesn't make sense to tear down villages built 100 years ago to create wetlands.

Image: European People’s Party, a conservative political group in the EU. 

Similar false claims and scaremongering were tactics employed by the European People’s Party in the run up to the vote on July 12th. A social media campaign implying farmers would lose their homes under the Nature Restoration Law came under fire in March this year for spreading misinformation. In the meantime, populist farming groups have been gathering momentum across the continent and inspiring a home-grown response here in Ireland.

 

Hoping to replicate the success of the right-wing Farmer-Citizen movement in the Netherlands, the Farmer’s Alliance launched earlier this year and intends to build a national party that will lobby against the perceived threat of climate policy, such as the Nature Restoration Law, on farmer’s livelihoods. This backlash raises grave concerns for Ireland’s progress towards our climate and biodiversity goals.

While Irish farmers do indeed have legitimate concerns, in particular about compensation for reduced productivity and having a voice in decision-making processes, their frustrations have been steered towards climate denial by TDs such as Michael Healy-Rae and Jacky Cahill. Using misinformation and scaremongering tactics employed by their European counterparts, the movement has attempted to undermine the EPA in a bid to ‘expose’ governmental climate policy as a concerted attack against rural Ireland. Pitting farmers, a demographic particularly at risk in the climate crisis, against environmental protection measures may only worsen their vulnerabilities to climate change in the future.

 

Polarised debate stalling progress

 

While the Nature Restoration Law is but one element of the EU Green New Deal, its reception is indicative of a growing polarization between the agribusiness sector and environmentalists, as well as left and right-wing ideologies, about the role of agriculture in the climate crisis. Thrown into the mix is political manipulation of farmer’s grievances and a flippant disregard of scientific facts about the climate crisis. As a result, the EU’s response to its failing biodiversity and unsustainable land use may suffer.

 

During the Trilogue negotiations, all versions of the law are still on the table. Supporters are hopeful that the negotiations may still choose to keep some of the more controversial elements of the text and restore the original ambition. What form the law will take when it is passed later this year remains to be seen, as does the trajectory of the populist lobby that strove to dismantle it.

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Combating Plastic Pollution: The Global South and North are in this Together!

Combating Plastic Pollution: The Global South and North are in this Together!

Combating Plastic Pollution: The Global South and North are in this Together!

A photo of plastic pollution in the sea, taken underwater. A plastic bag, can, and other plastic float just under the surface of the water.

Image: Rich Carey, Getty Images

Lightweight or not, plastic bags and other kinds of plastic are significant pollutants and among the most common materials used across the globe.

 

Go East or West, and you will find plenty of plastic materials. Plastic plays a vital role in supporting and sustaining agriculture, sports and leisure, electronics, healthcare, packaging, etc. Scientists are using plastic in their discoveries, and new ways to produce plastic are constantly being innovated. Plastic has replaced indigenous and traditional methods of innovation, including the packaging of various items for both consumption and business in the communities in which we live. Due to its widespread use, the world has experienced tremendous plastic pollution with an enormous effect on humans and the environment in the past few decades.

 

Plastic pollution is one of the major contributors to both land and water pollution, and must be addressed. As a result of improper disposal, plastic waste usually ends up in rivers and oceans, significantly harming marine life. In addition, plastic waste can end up on land surfaces, where it is likely to take a long time to decompose, and both the Global South and North countries have taken measures to tackle the problem. 

 

Plastic Pollution, Common Enemy?

 

The history of the world is clear: centuries ago, the world was at the conquest stage. It was all about survival of the fittest, and many atrocities were committed in many parts of the world, particularly the African continent. At that time, the Global North was the enemy of the Global South. Well, are they currently not? This question is debatable. 

 

In the 21st century, The Global South and North have had issues co-operating in the era of globalisation, as explained by Kaye Whiteman and Dawn Nagar in their report ‘The History of Relations between Africa and Europe’ (2009). However, both the North and South are now faced with a common enemy: plastic pollution. Plastic has transformed life since its invention in the 1950s for both the global North and the South. Despite this, the discovery of plastic is one of the most dangerous innovations of all time, and research indicates that there will be more plastic in the ocean by weight than marine life by 2050.

 

The European Union (EU) has set a target of 50% plastic packaging recycling by 2025, with the aim of generating 10 million tonnes of new products from recycled plastics. To combat plastic pollution, some European countries, including Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, France, and Ireland, have introduced new ways to collect used plastic waste, such as using reverse vending machines. 

 

Ireland was among the earliest countries in Europe to take intentional measures towards the use of single-use plastic bags. In 2002, the Irish government imposed a 15 cent fee on bags, which later increased to 22 cent. Data shows that retailers must charge a customer €0.22 per plastic bag supplied when they request one. Some bags, including those with fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and other products, are exempt from this requirement.

 

One can also wonder, though, if this measure is effective and sustainable. I would argue that introducing tax is a problematic measure,  it allows for the production of material plastics to continue. It will  potentially slow down innovative ways of finding alternatives to plastic.

 

African Countries like Tanzania and Kenya banned the use of lightweight plastic in 2019 2017 respectively. Meanwhile, the European Union was still debating whether they should ban single-use plastic materials. Finally, in 2021, they introduced a ban on plastic plates, cutlery, straws, balloon sticks, and cotton buds. Due to this ban, these single-use plastic materials cannot be placed on the markets of the EU Member States.

 

Why has it taken such a long time for the European Union to introduce sustainable and environmentally friendly policies to tackle plastic pollution? Europe has consistently been positioning itself as developed in terms of technology, finance, and resources;

Why is it so difficult for the EU’s resources to be used to better the future of the planet Earth in a timely manner?

 

 

When I travelled to Denmark last spring, I observed the tidiness of the city of Copenhagen. Having conversations with the locals when I visit new countries is what I enjoy the most. Torben Riis lives in Copenhagen, and here is what he has been doing to contribute to tackling plastic and environmental pollution in general.

A photo of a person in a blue coat biking past a canal full of boats in Copenhagan.

Image: Zstockphotos

For a couple of years, we have had to pay significant amounts for single-use plastic bags in supermarkets and shops. This has changed my behaviour, so I reuse plastic/paper bags or use more solid bags. Household garbage sorting has also become compulsory for several years, so various types are disposed of separately, e.g., organic waste, paper, plastic, glass and metal.

I was also very fascinated with the bicycle culture in Copenhagen, Denmark. I saw a substantial amount of people using bicycles as a means of transport. When I asked why so many people in Denmark embrace bicycles, Riis had this to say;

Bicycles as a means of personal transport have been part of our culture for decades. In particular, in the cities, it is a popular means of transport, which I from the time also use myself in particular for local errands.

 

 

Evidence indicates that travelling by bike is the fastest, easiest, most healthy and environmentally friendly way to get around the cities of Denmark. On average, biking reduces Carbon dioxide CO2 emissions by Twenty Thousand 20,000 tonnes a year. I also had an opportunity to share about this trip to Copenhagen on Episode 7 of my new Podcast.

 

 

A Meaningful Action!

 

African countries are at the forefront of eliminating plastic pollution to a greater extent. It is evident that a number of African countries, including East African Countries and Tanzania, have also taken meaningful measures to curb environmental pollution, mainly plastic pollution. The United Republic of Tanzania government banned the use of lightweight plastic bags in June 2019, and citizens were encouraged to use alternative reusable bags for packaging and carrying commodities. To make the ban effective, the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) in Tanzania put into place a code that prohibits the  manufacture, sale, transport and use of plastic bags for carrying any type of goods. 

 

A senior environmental journalist in Tanzania, Mussa Juma, says that among many other reasons, Tanzania’s aim to ban the use of lightweight plastic bags is due to negative impacts instigated by the bags. They block water ditches and become a nuisance in landfills and are destroying the quality of the land for agriculture. In his own words, Juma says;

Plastic bags contain a mixture of non-decomposable chemicals. You can imagine the negative repercussions of this type of waste on the environment, plastic pollution is literally harming the health of people and animals.

 

Adding on the negative impacts of plastic pollution, Juma says

There has been evidence that estimates the use of plastic bags in the world is approximately 500 million tons, and in Tanzania, 350,000 tons of plastic bags are produced every year, and various studies show that plastic bags take 400 to 1000 years to decompose in the ground, so it’s obvious that this has already caused an enormous impact on the environment in which we live.

 

Juma, who is also the Director of the Nonprofit Media Aid for Indigenous and Pastoralist Communities (MAIPAC), asserts that the consequences of the use of plastic bags caused an increase in animal deaths, which is why the government has taken necessary measures. When I asked Juma how the country is making other alternatives to plastics available to citizens in the country, he said that after the ban on plastic bags, efforts had been made by both private and public sectors to produce paper bags for small and large producers and that there is still a challenge in finding bags that meet the needs, especially for home and industrial use.

 

Nonetheless, evidence from the Human Rights and Business Report 2021/22 by the Legal and Human Rights Centre in Tanzania mainland indicates that the corporate sector in Tanzania is lagging behind in corporate environmental responsibility. Furthermore, this report stipulates that Community members cite environmental pollution as their biggest human rights concern; specifically, 25.2% said it was their biggest concern regarding whether manufacturing and company operations care about plastic pollution.

 

Consequently, evidence shows that other African Countries’ private sectors have taken a series of measures to eliminate plastic pollution. This can be seen in South Africa, where recycling waste has become an opportunity to earn a living. Furthermore, in Nigeria, many individual entrepreneurs and innovators have come up with innovative ways to turn plastic waste into reusable assets and make a living from the business while solving a plastic waste problem that has become a global challenge for the past decades.

A photo of a pile of plastic waste.

Image: G C Deaw, Getty Images

Consequently, evidence shows that other African Countries’ private sectors have taken a series of measures to eliminate plastic pollution. This can be seen in South Africa, where recycling waste has become an opportunity to earn a living. Furthermore, in Nigeria, many individual entrepreneurs and innovators have come up with innovative ways to turn plastic waste into reusable assets and make a living from the business while solving a plastic waste problem that has become a global challenge for the past decades.

A Desire to Progress!

 

On the other hand, Kenya is considered to have introduced the world’s strictest plastic ban in August 2017. In the same year, Uganda introduced a ban on lightweight plastic bags prohibiting manufacturing, importation, distribution, sale, and use of plastic bags with a thickness below 30 microns. The primary objective and the desire to ban plastic bags in Uganda was to safeguard the environment, conserve financial and natural resources, promote alternative and sustainable materials, and improve the country’s environmental sustainability. Unfortunately, due to a variety of reasons, the ban was not implemented. But why was this ban so hard to implement in Uganda? I had a conversation with an Environmental Economist, Simon Ngorok from Uganda, who asserts that;

Implementing the ban has proven challenging due to opposition from the plastic industry, inadequate public awareness, weak political will, corruption, and inadequate coordination among various agencies. Consequently, plastic bags are widely used and available in Uganda, and managing plastic waste remains a significant challenge. Only approximately 5% of plastics are recycled in Uganda, while the remainder is deposited in dumpsites, incinerated, or indiscriminately discarded into the environment.

 

 

The lack of implementation of the ban on the usage and production of lightweight plastic bags did not kill Uganda’s desire to progress on the issue of tackling plastic pollution in the county as they are introducing other potential eco-friendly alternatives to plastic bags. Simon continues; 

Uganda is currently working to replace non-ecological plastic bags with eco-friendly alternatives. These alternatives include banana leaves, paper bags, cloth bags, and biodegradable plastics that are culturally acceptable and locally available. To this end, farmers and vendors have started using banana leaves, local companies are producing paper bags, and initiatives are distributing cloth bags. On the other hand, some innovative projects have been launched to recycle plastic waste into useful products such as construction materials, face shields, briquettes, and paving stones.

 

 

We are Interconnected. Let’s Act like It!

 

In order to address the issue of plastic pollution and its impacts, both the global South and the North should implement a series of measures, including conducting a thorough assessment of current plastic production and disposal practices. A comprehensive and more sustainable environmental policy framework and action plan should also be formed to regulate, reduce, and eliminate plastic waste. Furthermore, stakeholders from both the Global South and North engage with each other and assess these policies to fit the planet’s and their countries’ needs through a realistic policy development process to ensure its success. Additional scientific research should be conducted to explore alternative eco-friendly options to plastic materials. Finally, now more than ever, the world is interconnected regarding innovation and technology, so effective collaboration among countries and regional organisations must be pursued to address the issue of the long-term impacts of plastic pollution.

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Is Castletown’s freedom and fun canceled?

Is Castletown’s freedom and fun canceled?

Is Castletown’s freedom and fun canceled?

A photo of the Irish landscape, with trees and a waterfall in the foreground, and Castletown manor in the background.

Image: Kate Hawkins

Local Celbridge residents have raised concerns over land surrounding Castletown House being zoned and signs reading “poisoned land” along the blocked off area. The residents and local politicians are also concerned about the implications of Kilross and Springwood properties purchasing the land. 

 

Castletown House was built in the 1720s and now has a café, regular tours and parklands as well as a weekly market and parkrun.

 

In April the land surrounding Castletown was zoned and sold to private property developers, leading to confusion, upset and anger among Celbridge residents.

 

A group of locals have created an online petition about the recent sale of the Castletown land. At present it has 7,444 signatures. The petition was created to prevent developers and the new owners of the historic Castletown land from building on it and disrupting the beautiful historic landscape. 

 

The back entrances to Castletown have been blocked off by fences, boulders, and signs which were noticed by Celbridge residents while out walking around Castletown. Grease has been placed along the top of the fences to discourage people from standing against it or jumping over it.

 

Residents have been largely concerned by the sign that reads  “Poisoned Lands.” They contacted the Department of Agriculture about it as many were worried that they or their dogs would be affected by the poison. When questioned by a Celbridge resident, they said,

 

“Regarding the specific issue mentioned, we have conducted an investigation and no non-compliances with the relevant pesticide regulations were identified.”

 

Trees have been cut down in the area between the main car park and Castletown House. Branches and mud have also been cleared away. When asked about this by locals the OPW refused to comment.

 

The land was purchased for €5m and the OPW turned down the chance to purchase it. Prospective buyers could view the land by appointment with Cushman and Wakefield, a commercial real estate business based in Ballsbridge, Dublin. Killross Properties and Springwood purchased the land. 

 

A steering committee has been established to fight against the zoning. The hashtags #savecastletown and #friendsofcastletown have been created and are being regularly used, as well as a “Save Castletown” logo for Facebook users to put on their profile photo, created by Rosie McGuire. 

 

Celbridge Councillor Ciara Galvin scheduled a motion about it to be discussed at the next Celbridge-Leixlip monthly meeting in August. She shared this on her Facebook page and offered the public a chance to comment under it any questions and concerns that they have about the zoning and sale. She also mentioned wanting to meet with the new owners of the land at Castletown. However, her motion for the meeting was prohibited. The Appeals committee told her that councillors asking to meet with the new owners would be unethical and may appear biased if the landowners submit a planning application for building on the land.

 

The Social Democrats held a Zoom meeting on the 26th of June regarding Castletown land and its zoning and sale. A presentation of all the information the Social Democrats had received about the Castletown land zoning and sale and the history of the land were discussed.

 

The land was zoned under the Celbridge Local Area Plan (LAP), the LAP 2017- 2023. The majority of the Castletown lands are zoned under Objective F Open Space and Amenity. The rest of this land is zoned under the Green Belt (GB). When interviewed by The Irish Times, the director of Kilross Properties Lar McKenna said that they have the chance to offer “substantial employment and leisure amenities in north Kildare”. 

 

According to a Celbridge Councillor who remains anonymous, the next LAP will most likely be published in 2025. Those living in Celbridge or who are members of Celbridge community groups can send their objections about the zoning and sale of the land at Castletown for the next LAP. 

 

Now that the land has been purchased it brings a lot of questions and concerns, the main one being what would happen if the landowners decide to build on the land. What would they build? Will they build high rise apartments that will ruin the beautiful landscape? Will access to the lands be restricted? No one knows. In the meantime, the locals and those who like Castletown spend as much time enjoying it and its surrounding lands as possible.

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In Otter News: In Conversation with Cork Nature Network

In Otter News: In Conversation with Cork Nature Network

In Otter News: In Conversation with Cork Nature Network

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N K Initials for Niamh Kelly

17th of January 2023

“Eurasian otters are found across Europe and parts of Asia, but in parts of the range their numbers are declining. In Ireland, they’re staying stable enough, but anything could happen so it’s important to protect them” explained Emma. Cork Nature Network (CNN) is an environmental network that is dedicated to “protect and promote Ireland’s Wildlife through education, research and conservation”, and one of their long-term projects is focused on researching and protecting otters in Ireland. Emma Caulfield, a social media officer for Cork Nature Network, shared in an interview with STAND News, how research and education can help to protect otters and other biodiversity in Ireland.

Otters are members of the Mustelidae, related to weasels and badgers, and utilise water for feeding and land for resting. The need for both aquatic and land environments means the usual habitat otters are found in are near bodies of water such as rivers, ponds and lakes. Otters can also live along coastlines but require access to fresh water to clean salt from seawater out of their fur, otherwise their fur loses its ability to insulate an otter from the cold. Emma explained, however, otters are also present in Irish towns and cities such as Cork and “some otters use the urban environment to their advantage; the way foxes do. Otters might eat cat food left out in people’s gardens”. Otters are carnivorous (usually eat meat) and depending on their habitat tend to eat fish and crustaceans (shellfish), and sometimes frogs, rodents or small birds. Emma said otters in Cork City will use the urban environment for their gain as “otters will actually hop onto incoming fishing boats and take a few fish out of the nets”. Otters “only eat for the amount of energy they need so any extra travelling time to cross rivers will disproportionately affect them” Emma said, and so “any habitat destruction will impact otters”. Otters within Irish cities are adapting to the urban environment, and CNN is researching how these otters live in urban areas in County Cork and how they can be protected.

Emma explained that to monitor the otter distribution (where otters are living) in River Lee and River Bride, CNN recently conducted a search for holts and spraints in these areas. Holts are the dwelling places of otters (usually under rocks or vegetation) and spraints are “like fecal markers that otters will leave. It’s kind of like a signal to everyone else, about the health of the otter, what they’re eating, their reproductive stage, if they’ve just had pups or what’s going on. Another otter will come up and you get an idea of what’s going on in the in the area”. Emma is currently involved with CNN in writing another research proposal. This research would analyse what environmental factors may influence where otters inhabit such as tree cover and how holts and spraints on different rives are connected, possibly through nature parks and human-constructed underground storm drains. Emma described the aim of the proposed research as “we want to make a map of basically where the otters could go, what sites are important to them, and what makes the sites important.”

Photo by Mark Zekhuis

Emma began volunteering with CNN after completing a Bachelor’s of Science in Zoology in University College Cork and she is currently studying for a Master of Science in Marine Biology. As well as her role as a social media officer for CNN, Emma has been involved in educational outreach events. During a Science Week event, primary school children could guess what items were in mystery boxes by touch alone at the CNN stand and ask questions about Irish wildlife. Emma said “it’s about getting excited about nature” and “spreading the information we have and making it digestible for people”. CNN also run monthly wildlife photography competitions and post articles on their nature blog. Membership with CNN allows access to newsletters and online nature courses. CNN also run talks about different Irish wildlife. For example, a recent event consisted of a guided tour by John Armstrong along the Cork City Otter Trail that allowed the public to learn more about these animals.

Emma described the otter trails as “the biggest awareness push” CNN has done to educate the public about otters in County Cork’s urban areas. The otter trails follow along rivers in towns and cities with signs to provide information to the public about otters inhabiting these rivers and offers people the opportunity to potentially see otters along the route. The first trail was created in 2020 along the River Lee in Cork City and three other trails have since been added to Bishopstown, Ballincollig and Youghal. Collaborations with Cork County Council, several Tidy Towns and other organisations on the otter trails has allowed CNN to encourage members of the public to engage with wildlife and to raise awareness of otters. Emma said she has seen otters beside the University College Cork biology campus and “even if you’re just passing and you see otters, you’re like `oh otters`. And then you just read off the sign and you get a bit of information”. CNN are hoping to create more otter trails in County Cork and further afield in Ireland.

Photo by Rik Kruit

Aside from the otter project, CNN is also running other projects focused on different areas of Irish wildlife and biodiversity. One of these projects is centred on Beaumont Quarry, an old limestone quarry that is no longer in use. It is situated southeast of Cork City centre and provides an area for recreation and conservation. The limestone environment, similar to the Burren in County Clare, provides a habitat for plants that are rarely found in Ireland. Ecological surveys have been carried out by CNN at the site and these surveys found the area has high biodiversity. The unusual conditions of the quarry allow plants such as Little Robin and Pale Flax to grow. Different animals such as foxes, hedgehogs and several species of bat have also been recorded. CNN is raising public awareness of the site and aims to protect it from invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed, that are not native to Ireland.

Another way for anyone to be involved with Irish biodiversity that Emma recommended was for members of the public to report any wildlife sightings they have with the National Biodiversity Data Centre. These reports of sightings help to establish if and where a species is present in Ireland and how common they may be in an area. Emma highlighted, however, the potential for bias to enter this data as people will only report “if they see something spectacular, like if they see a dolphin. But if they see something normal that they see every day, they don’t always report it”.

Cork Nature Network is raising awareness, conducting research and increasing education about otters and other Irish wildlife through different projects. Emma encouraged anyone interested in CNN to follow them on social media.

Thank you to Emma Caulfield for her support in this article.

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“On Porpoise”: In Conversation with Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

“On Porpoise”: In Conversation with Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

“On Porpoise”:

In Conversation with

Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

 

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Photo of bottlenose dolphin and calf by Sibéal Regan

“Ireland is one of the best places in the world to see whales and dolphins, especially because we can see them quite coastally. You don’t have to go hundreds of miles offshore or you don’t have to go on a boat to see them” Sibéal explained. Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) is an environmental non-governmental organisation that aims to “better understanding and conservation of cetaceans in Irish waters”. Sibéal Regan, education and outreach officer in IWDG, discussed in an interview with STAND News, how research and outreach combine together to protect cetaceans and their habitats.

Twenty-six species of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) have been recorded in Irish waters. Several species, such as humpback whales and fin whales, are migratory. These species come to Ireland to feed for part of the year before journeying to warmer tropical waters to breed and give birth to their calves. Other species are more permanent residents, for example common dolphins, minky whales and harbour porpoises, and can be seen year-round along Ireland’s coasts. Sibéal has a particular interest in sperm whales, which a deep-diving offshore species. Sperm whales “are the loudest odontoceti or toothed whale. They are also the only whale and dolphin species that can fully turn off their brain when they sleep. Sperm whales are the least sleep dependent mammal in the world. They’ll only sleep for ten to fifteen minutes at a time”.

Sibéal has been involved with IWDG for over a decade, progressing through different roles within the organisation. Sibéal began as a volunteer during her time in secondary school and “when [she] was in transition year, [she] was able to get out and do some surveys with Doctor Joanne O’Brien on Celtic Mist, which is the IWDG research vessel”. Sibéal later completed a Bachelor of Science in Freshwater and Marine Biology at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. Afterwards, Sibéal joined IWDG full-time working as education and outreach officer and she has now entered her fourth year in the role. As Sibéal comes from an inland town, she emphasised that “a lot of people don’t believe that these things are accessible to them If they didn’t grow up near the sea. The good thing about the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group is anyone and everyone can get involved. There are different things for different age levels, different abilities, different interests.”

Photo of bottlenose dolphin and calf by Sibéal Regan

Sibéal is also a marine mammal observer with IWDG and is often at sea. This fieldwork includes “monitoring whales and dolphins, doing field surveys and then writing up data, analyzing data, crunching some numbers”. The whales and dolphins can be surveyed in two ways, either “visual surveys, which is looking out in good conditions during the day” or “acoustics, which is listening to [cetaceans] with essentially big microphones called C pods and F pods. [IWDG] can leave them in the water for a few months if [they] want or tow it behind a boat and listen”. The microphones provide the additional advantages of being able to monitor over a longer period of time or in dark places.

“You know all of our actions do in some way come back to the ocean” Sibéal explained, and climate change through rising ocean temperatures is affecting the prey distribution for whales and dolphins in Ireland. “Fish are not arriving when they used to arrive in Irish waters. They’re moving to different locations that they might not have before. This is really impacting the whales’ migrations”. The changing arrivals of fish means that “the whales come here to feed. They need to build up those blubber resources before heading back to the breeding grounds because they don’t feed when they are mating or giving birth” and there is less food available for the cetaceans to feed on. Another impact can be seen on the habitats whales and dolphins are choosing to inhabit. For example, “in the last couple of years, the last decade [IWDG has] seen a massive distribution change in common dolphins. Common dolphins would normally be considered as a pelagic (open ocean) offshore species, but they’re becoming increasingly more and more coastal. They’re following the fish”. The common dolphins’ unusual behaviour has knock-on effects including “increased rates of entanglement in fishing gear, increased bycatch or accidental catch up by fishers and increased live strandings”. Sibéal drew attention to why live stranding rates are increasing for common dolphins in certain areas such as in Mayo and Kerry, “these areas are quite sandy and because common dolphins should be an offshore species, they get confused in these sandy areas. They basically get caught out on the tides and this can be fatal”. IWDG has a trained network of volunteers that can assess the condition of a stranded whale or dolphin and hopefully re-float them.

Sibéal, within her role as education and outreach officer, has a diverse range of responsibilities. She is involved with research, policy, outreach and advocacy. IWDG is a member of Fair Seas (a coalition of Irish environmental non-governmental organisations and environmental networks) and Sibéal has recently helped to complete a report of areas which identified “areas of interest that [FairSeas] would like designated as marine protected areas”. FairSeas offers an opportunity for anyone to “get actively involved in ocean advocacy and conservation”. Sibéal also creates educational content and organises training events from primary school children through to third level education.  A particular highlight for Sibéal was the opportunity to write a children’s book entitled Ireland’s Blubber Book. The book contains “all of the cool whale facts that anybody would want to know about”. This book for Sibéal marked both a personal and professional achievement, as “those kind of resources simply weren’t there when [she] was younger, so that was quite nice for [her] younger self”.

IWDG is involved with several research projects to learn more about and monitor cetaceans and their habitats. The longest running project is the Shannon Dolphin Project which focuses on a bottlenose dolphin population in the Shannon Estuary. These dolphins are genetically distinct to any other bottlenose dolphins in Ireland. This population has been monitored for thirty years through a non-invasive method called photo identification. Sibéal explained “we basically take photographs of individual dolphins when we’re surveying, and then we can match them to an individual level. We can track calves from birth to their mothers and their grandmothers, all the way through and really assess how that population is doing”.

Another project that IWDG is conducting is WhaleTrack. This research identifies large baleen whales (humpback and fin whales) in Irish waters through photo identification. Pictures are taken of the underside of an individual whale’s tail, and as every tail underside is unique, each whale can be identified and monitored. Patterns of migration can be analysed from the data collected and members of the public can participate by sharing any pictures they take with IWDG.

Photo of Cork local group Headland Watch by Denis O’Regan

 

Two other projects which the public can participate in are the sightings scheme and strandings scheme. The sighting scheme allows the public as “citizen scientists” to report any live whales or dolphins they see and provide information about the circumstances of the sighting and any pictures taken. The stranding scheme allows for dead stranded animals to be reported and to monitor the situations resulting in strandings. Whales and dolphins can often be sighted from land, so access to a boat or going out to sea is not required to become involved. If someone is going out onto the water, necessary safety requirements should be taken, and any animals sighted should not be disturbed unless they choose to interact.

Sibéal encouraged anyone that is interested in getting involved with IWDG to visit their social media pages, look at the website or to contact her at education.iwdg.ie. IWDG is bringing research and outreach together to protect cetaceans and their habitats in Ireland.

Thank you to Sibéal Regan for her support in this article.

 

Featured photo of a bottlenose dolphin and calf by Sibéal Regan.

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Circling Sharks: In Conversation with Irish Basking Shark Group

Circling Sharks: In Conversation with Irish Basking Shark Group

Circling Sharks:

In Conversation with

The Irish Basking Shark Group

 

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N K Initials for Niamh Kelly
11th of November 2022

Basking sharks are widely distributed across the world’s oceans, but Irish waters are a hotspot for this seafaring species. The Irish Basking Shark Group (IBSG) is a “network of basking shark researchers” that aims to “combine community engagement, advocacy, and research to advance science-based conservation goals for basking sharks in Ireland”. Alexandra McInturf, IBSG co-coordinator and researcher, and Chelsea Gray, IBSG researcher and science communicator, shared how new research contributes to a better understanding of this elusive species.

Photo by Nigel Motyer courtesy of the Irish Basking Shark Group (IBSG)

“Basking sharks are the world’s second largest fish, and they’re one of three filter feeding shark species, meaning they feed on plankton. Basking sharks can reach over twenty feet [six metres] in length. Otherwise we don’t know a lot about them, because they’re hard to study” Alexandra explained. As a postdoctoral fellow at Oregon State University, Alexandra highlighted the difficulties of researching basking sharks in comparison to many other shark species, “For other shark species, you might attract them to an area by baiting or by fishing, or by chumming. You can’t do that with a shark that feeds on plankton. You also can’t bring them onto the boat to put a tag on them, so tagging them is really challenging”. Multi- disciplinary and innovative approaches to research are required to learn more about basking sharks in Ireland and across the world.

Alexandra’s PhD research focused on basking sharks in Ireland and other parts of the world, including the Pacific. This has given Alexandra “a unique perspective and understanding just how important Ireland is for the species. You don’t see them in the same numbers as you do in Ireland basically anywhere else in the world”. Basking sharks tend to arrive around Ireland in April to feed and begin to leave towards the end of June but could be sighted in Irish waters throughout August. Another possible reason for Ireland being an important habitat for basking sharks is “Ireland is a potential mating ground for them but mating has never been observed in this species so far”.

Basking sharks were recently given the status of “protected wild animal” in Ireland under Wildlife Act 1976 (Protection of Wild Animals) Regulations 2022. IBSG has welcomed this development, but “creating a code of conduct, enforcing a code of conduct and then seeing how we can further protect [basking sharks] remains to be seen”. Alexandra highlighted how “it put Ireland on the global stage” for basking shark conservation. IBSG has continued to research basking sharks in Ireland to gain more knowledge on how to protect the species. Several of the research projects completed or currently being conducted by members of IBSG are explored below.

Sightings Scheme

IBSG runs a sightings scheme that members of the public can contribute to as “citizen scientists” by reporting any sightings of basking sharks around Ireland on the website. Alexandra is “analysing the data from that to try to see if there are environmental factors that tend to bring the sharks to Irish waters” such as the amount of plankton or sea surface temperature. Any correlation between environmental factors and the presence of basking sharks helps to understand how these sharks may react to changes in their habitats. These changes include the possible impact of climate change. As Alexandra explains “what does that mean if the global sea surface temperature is changing with climate change? Should we expect those sharks to move?”

Visual Identification Tags

Alexandra also highlighted Simon Berrow’s (IBSG Co-founder) annual work as he tags basking sharks with visual ID attachments. These visual ID tags are large pieces of plastic with numbers printed onto them. Their large size allows them to be read from a distance away so “anybody can see them and hopefully read the number even if you’re not right next to the shark”. The ID tags allow IBSG to monitor if sharks are returning to Ireland and when they are around. Anyone who sees a basking shark with a tag can report the number to IBSG also. If someone wants to view basking sharks in the water however, safety for people and basking sharks is paramount. Only go out on the water if you have the required skills and experience, and maintain distance from any sharks.

Satellite Tags

Photo by Emmet Johnson courtesy of the Irish Basking Shark Group (IBSG)

Another basking shark research project Alexandra is involved in is SeaMonitor. This project is not directly affiliated with IBSG, but Alexandra is collaborating with other researchers including with Queen’s University Belfast. “They’re putting satellite tags on basking sharks, which are basically tags that can connect with satellites overhead and send a location every time that tag pops out of the water. It’s deployed on the dorsal fins of the shark, so it’s out of the water quite a bit because the sharks feed at the surface” Alexandra explained. The satellite tags allow investigation into the capability of basking sharks to travel long distances. For instance, one shark that was tagged with and IBSG visual ID tag at Malin Head in Donegal and turned up in Cape Cod, Massachusetts a few months later.

IBSG is also interested in the social lives of basking sharks. In a recent research paper, Simon focused on a basking shark behaviour where they gather together, “They just swim around in these massive circles together and that’s called a torus.” The torus could be a potential mating behaviour. Meanwhile, “One thing I’m doing is putting these tags on these sharks that can talk to each other so I can see if certain individuals are constantly detecting the same other ones” mentioned Alexandra, “to try to get a better idea of how they’re interacting in these coastal areas, and whether they actually tend to form groups that stay together. Maybe even travel together afterwards”.

Basking Shark Tourism Survey

Chelsea currently is a PhD candidate in George Mason University and completed her Master’s in environmental science there also. Chelsea’s research during her Master’s focused on why Ireland, particularly Malin Head, had a nearly completely undeveloped basking shark tourism sector, but Scotland, especially the Hebrides, had utilised the presence of basking sharks for tourism. The social science approach Chelsea used included surveying residents of Buncrana and tourists on the beach to learn what they knew about basking sharks. “Most people sort of knew that they didn’t eat seals, and that was basically it. They kind of had an idea that basking sharks were big”, Chelsea discovered during her survey. Many people also expressed an interest in going to view basking sharks either from land or on a boat. Chelsea’s research highlights the importance of raising awareness of less well-known species to ensure their protection.

Individual Based Modelling

Continuing with social science research, Chelsea’s PhD project involves using individual based modelling (IBM) to gather results and to develop a method for how to use IBM results to make recommendations to policymakers. Chelsea explained IBM as complex computer modelling which allows for stochasticity (the quality of lacking any predictable order or plan), or “you have agents like I have little individual sharks. My little individual sharks can interact with the environment and they can impact the environment. Or they can be impacted by the environment”. These agents are not mirroring the behaviour of individual real sharks, but each agent has “has a limited perspective, so it can only see a certain distance and then from there it makes a certain series of decisions”. The limited perspective each agent has reflects that “each individual shark ends up doing its own individual behaviour based on what we call bounded knowledge, so that’s that limitation of how far it can see”, and mirrors real basking shark behaviour. Chelsea compares the results from the IBM to the information IBSG has gathered from the sightings scheme and tagging. The behaviour of individual sharks comes together to form a group behaviour and this is known as “emergent behaviour.

Chelsea is also interviewing Irish policymakers to learn how to best convey IBM results to them. The insights gained from these interviews Chelsea hopes will bridge the gap between “how modelers can communicate their model results to policymakers” and “policymakers are understanding the model correctly and then are applying it correctly”. IBM data can be used to inform conservation legislation through providing insights into how changing environments, locally and globally, may impact on basking shark behaviour.

Basking Shark Conservation

There have been several historical threats to basking sharks. These included fisheries in many places, “there was one off Achill Island which is very famous. It was one of the biggest fisheries in the world, if not the biggest for basking sharks” Alexandra explained, “That whole community has really embraced this part of their history, which I think is amazing. [The community] very much recognize and report when the sharks are around now. And family members of former fishermen have been really active in the conservation of [basking sharks] now”. Another threat was the culling of basking sharks in Canada as “there was an eradication effort because the sharks were becoming entangled in fishing nets”. These are historical rather than current threats, but would have affected the basking shark population.

Current problems for basking sharks are harder to pinpoint as research is still ongoing to learn more about the species. Boat strikes and becoming entangled in fishing equipment may result in a few deaths per year, but the impact of these deaths on the population is unknown as “we don’t know how many sharks there are”. Alexandra also highlighted that “another threat that we would be concerned about is anything that’s going on in the high seas because that it can’t be regulated”.

IBSG is a network of researchers voluntarily working towards educating about, advocating for and protecting basking sharks. The capacity and infrastructure do not exist at the moment for members of the public to volunteer with IBSG, but anyone can participate in the sightings scheme by reporting any basking sharks they see. The benefit of drawing together researchers from multi- disciplinary backgrounds in IBSG is clear to Alexandra and Chelsea. Chelsea sees the importance of cooperation to support basking shark conservation as IBSG “encourage a lot of flexibility and creativity” to spread awareness of basking sharks through different approaches.

 Alexandra highlighted “I think it’s very rare that you get to operate at the intersection of research, policy, advocacy and education. I was able to be not only observing basking sharks in the field and contributing to our knowledge of them this year. But then also getting to be a really active voice in supporting their protection and making a very real policy change”.

Thank you to Alexandra McInturf and Chelsea Gray for their support in this article.

 

Featured photo of basking shark torus by Simon Berrow, shared courtesy of The Irish Basking Shark Group

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Horror Movies and Gender Justice

Horror Movies and Gender Justice

Horror Movies and Gender Justice

 

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14th of November 2022

STAND Student Festival Exhibition on University of Limerick Campus

Over the last eight weeks, the STAND Student Festival and Exhibition has been making its way across third-level campuses in Ireland. This year’s theme of #GenderJusticeNow focuses on the power of collective action to create change and invites students to sign a pledge to become a gender justice advocate. Students who sign the pledge receive an action pack with information about gender justice and suggestions for how to start making change.

Meghan Mickela, this year’s STAND Student Festival intern and graduate of Trinity College Dublin’s Film Studies Masters Programme, supported the inclusion of documentary film screenings on some campuses. She also curated a list of horror films that explore gender beyond the harmful stereotypes we often see in Halloween-related popular culture.

Halloween may be over, but horror is a movie genre that goes well beyond October 31st. These movies tackle many important themes and complex subjects in a way that only horror can. Check out our Instagram Reel where you can hear Meghan talk about each of these films, or read about them below. Enjoy!

 

Ginger Snaps movie poster

Ginger Snaps

For our first film we have Ginger Snaps from 2000. Sisters Ginger and Brigitte are tested when Ginger gets her period for the first time and begins to experience strange effects. As her body changes and she begins to and she begins to experience more and more strange occurrences, Ginger Snaps uses the horror elements of Ginger’s evolution into a werewolf as a metaphor for the evolution of the female body during puberty. Now a cult classic, Ginger Snaps presents two strong female leads who represent the duality of female adolescence; all at once the beauty and the beast. 

 

 

A Girl Walk Home Alone at Night movie poster

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night

Next up, the film “A Girl Late Walk Home Alone at Night” from 2014 by Director Ana Lily Amirpour. Late at night, the streets of ‘Bad City’ in Iran are haunted by a girl and her skateboard. Director Amirpour creates a rare horror piece that represents an all too real fear that women face; (walking home at night) and flips the role of the victim onto the citizens of Bad City. Our main character, The Girl, serves as an anti-hero to Bad City while representing the ongoing gender politics that continue to plague Iran after the Irainian revolution. Amirpour’s film is a reigning favourite that is still timely today as women in Iran fight for empowerment.  

 

 

Bad Hair movie poster

Bad Hair

This 2020 film presents the challenges that black women face in corporate America. In  the 1990s Anna works at a Tv station hoping to move up the ranks; she is told she can only be successful if she gets a weave. Things go horribly wrong when the hair proves to have a mind of its own. Bad Hair combines dark comedy with horror to further its presentation of classic racism women of colour face in order to look ‘professional’ according to euro-centric standards. With a killer cast of women of colour this film presents an often untold perspective in the horror genre.  

 

 

Fresh movie poster

Fresh

Director Mimi Cave delivers a delicious take on romance, with a twist; sharp in wit while retaining the horror element. Fresh takes on the idealisation of male psychopaths, while pointing out the irony. It’s a common trend to see male criminals being lauded as attractive or sexy after committing horrible crimes, the film presents a young woman’s perspective of a misogynistic dating culture where she is unable to succeed. Themes including horror, dark comedy, or feminine rage, this one is a perfect fit for those friends who are a little too into their true-crime movies. 

 

 

 

For those interested in other titles, check out:

Raw / Bodies, Bodies, Bodies / Thirst / Thelma / Possession / Saint Maude / It Follows / Prevenge

 

Film is one of the many artistic expressions that can help us to better understand why gender justice is so important. So I hope that when you’re picking out scary movies to watch this Halloween or any time of year, you’ll be thinking about gender justice!

For more information on STAND and the #GenderJusticeNow pledge, head over to 10000studends.ie Take the pledge to become a gender justice advocate while you’re there so that you can receive your action pack full of ways for you to take action for gender justice now!!

 

Many thanks to Meghan Mickela for her work in curating this list and describing the films in it.

 

Featured photo by Jeremy Yap on Unsplash

Ginger Snaps movie poster from Wikipedia

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night movie poster from IMDB

Bad Hair movie poster from IMDB

Fresh movie poster from IMDB

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Taking Under Wing: Seabird Conservation in Ireland

Taking Under Wing: Seabird Conservation in Ireland

Taking Under Wing:

Seabird Conservation in Ireland

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11th of November 2022

Ireland provides habitats inland and along the coast for many bird species, both resident and migratory. Irish coastal areas provide nesting and feeding habitats for many seabirds. Sinéad Loughran, marine policy and advocacy officer for Fair Seas and Birdwatch Ireland, discussed in an interview with STAND News, what challenges seabirds and other marine biodiversity face in Ireland.

Sinéad highlighted that “the ocean is one of the greatest allies you could have in the fight against climate change”.  Fair Seas (a coalition of Irish environmental non-governmental organisations and environmental networks) aims “to see Ireland, with a renewed appreciation of the ocean, become a world leader in marine protection, giving [Irish] species, habitats and coastal communities the opportunity to thrive”. After completing a Master of Science in Climate Change: Policy, Media and Society from Dublin City University, Sinéad has taken on a role which focuses on communications about promoting “ocean stewardship”, policy consultation with decision-makers and engagement with stakeholders such as coastal communities (including working alongside the Citizen’s Assembly on Biodiversity Loss).

Image of two gannets by Clive Timmons, courtesy of Bird Watch Ireland

Members of the public can support marine biodiversity by becoming involved as “citizen scientists” by utilising the BirdTrack, an online tool that allows people to record what bird species they observe, and the information collected forms a picture of bird distribution and migratory patterns in Ireland and Britain. Another opportunity to engage with Irish biodiversity is through the annual Irish Garden Bird Survey which runs from December to February. Sinéad spoke of how the survey is a “really kind of hands-on way that people can connect with the nature that’s around them and the bird species that they see in their gardens everyday”.

Ireland is a regular home to over 200 bird species, either year-round for birds such as robins, or as part of a migration cycle for other species such as swallows. Sinéad emphasised a variety of challenges impacting seabirds (and other biodiversity on land and in the sea). These causes are explored below:

Climate Change

Image of Puffin by James West, courtesy Bird Watch Ireland

Climate change has direct and indirect consequences for seabirds. One direct problem is the effect on prey availability for seabirds. For example, “Puffins, in 2007, were recorded feeding snake pipefish to their chicks. There is a greater risk of choking for the chicks on these fish and they’re also not nearly as nutritious in comparison to a preferred prey species such as sand eels”. The increasing abundance of snake pipefish may be linked with warming waters and this species of fish is not the ideal food source for puffin parents to feed their chicks.

An indirect impact on seabirds resulting from climate change is how seabird habitats may be affected by offshore wind farms, as Sinéad highlights “[we] recognises the urgent need to rapidly decarbonize our society and economy, but it needs to be done in a holistic way. We are in a climate emergency and a biodiversity emergency. They’re inherently interlinked”. Flight corridors to allow birds to access foraging grounds would minimise the risk of collision deaths and seabirds’ displacement from their feeding grounds. The east coast of Ireland provides foraging grounds for seabird colonies in Wales and Cornwall, as well as Ireland.  Sinéad emphasised “how will offshore renewable energy affect bird colonies. Progress efforts on one should not be to the detriment of the other”.

Habitat Quality

A decline in the quality of coastal and estuary habitats impacts both on seabirds and on wider biodiversity in these environments. Sinéad acknowledges that although a recently released report from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states “coastal waters have the highest percentage of all water bodies in high or good ecological status”, unfortunately “there is still a 9.5% decline in the number of coastal water bodies in satisfactory condition since the last assessment”. Estuaries are faring worse as “64% of estuaries are in moderate, poor or bad ecological health”. A decrease in habitat quality impacts directly on any animal or bird living there and “the interconnected nature of our entire water system. We can’t separate our freshwater systems from our marine environment”, therefore the connection between these different habitats means more species and biodiversity will be impacted than only those which inhabit a single area.

Avian Flu

Image of Roseate Tern in flight by Laura Glenister, courtesy of Bird Watch Ireland

An outbreak of avian flu has harshly affected wild birds across Ireland and further afield, particularly breeding seabird colonies in the UK and Europe. People are unlikely to contract this disease from wild birds, but members of the public are advised not to handle any dead or sick wild birds. Infected seabirds may travel further inland than usual because of the effects of the disease and come into closer contact with domestic birds and humans than would normally occur. Any dead seabirds, waterfowl or birds of prey should be reported to the Department of Agriculture to monitor the spread of the disease. Gannets have been particularly hit by the avian flu as “they breed quite late in the year compared to other seabirds in Ireland, and so they were still in their colonies. Their chicks were still there, and this was all kicking off from the end of August. Many of [the gannets] were washing up on the shore”.

As avian flu poses a threat to domestic birds as well as wild birds, Sinéad underlined the potential for “a coordinated response for the collection of dead or sick birds” and “further safeguards for wild birds”. Avian flu is caused by a “virulent strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)” and can severely decrease wild bird populations, particularly in seabird colonies with large numbers of birds gathering close together.

Seabird Conversation Project

Image of roseate tern by Brian Burke, courtesy of Bird Watch Ireland

Wild seabird conservation however can make a successful and positive impact on marine biodiversity. Roseate terns nesting on Rockabill Island, near Skerries, County Dublin, compose 85% of the European population for their species. This species is also the rarest breeding seabird in Europe. Small wooden nest boxes have been placed across the island annually since 1989, providing the terns with sheltered areas similar to vegetation or rocky crevices which they prefer to nest in. The wooden boxes provide cover from bad weather and predators, provide more space for the terns to nest on the limited area available on the island and allow more eggs to hatch and chicks to be reared successfully. There are now ten times more breeding pairs on Rockabill Island than when the wooden nesting boxes were first introduced. As Sinéad said “such a small space like Rockabill, it’s only about 0.8 hectares, and when you consider how many birds come, that small area plays a vital role in the European population”.

Large scale challenges such as climate change, habitat quality and spread of diseases can impact on local environments and species, and so protecting birds, biodiversity and habitats in Ireland is important.

 

Thank you to Sinéad Loughran for her support in this article.

 

Click here to read Fair Seas new report on public support for better protection of marine wildlife and their habitats around Ireland

 

Featured photo of two gannets in flight is by Gerry Kerr and shared courtesy of Bird Watch Ireland

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Revisiting the Emergency in Pakistan: Floods and Loss of Life

Revisiting the Emergency in Pakistan: Floods and Loss of Life

Revisiting the Emergency in Pakistan:

Floods and Loss of Life

United Nations humanitarian aid workers unload supplies from their vehicle
N K Initials for Niamh Kelly

9th of November 2022

Over the summer, Pakistan faced one of the deadliest floods the world has seen since 2017. According to Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, more than 33 million people have been affected by the floods, and more than 1,000 have died since mid-June. The floods have been caused by record-breaking monsoon rains and have primarily affected the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan. According to Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman, rainfall indexes in these areas increased by 784% and 500% respectively, in comparison with the average rainfall index for the month of August. The situation in Pakistan continues to deteriorate through October, and has left the country in a state of ongoing emergency.

The humanitarian situation is expected to worsen, as communities and infrastructure lack crisis response capacity. As the monsoon rains continue to fall, river overflows and landslides further aggravate the crisis: authorities are unable to reach affected areas. According to the disaster management agency almost one million homes were damaged, over 218,000 were destroyed,  and close to 500,000 people have been displaced and are now living in relief camps. Additionally, education authorities in the country stated that at least 17,700 schools have been damaged or destroyed by the floods. As of August 30, one in every seven people in the country has been affected by the floods. “Literally, one-third of Pakistan is underwater right now, which has exceeded every boundary, every norm we’ve seen in the past, we’ve never seen anything like this” Minister Sherry Rehman told AFP news agency

The floods have been compared to the 2010 floods of Pakistan, which is deemed as the deadliest in the country’s history. However, experts have highlighted key differences: while the 2010 floods were caused by river overflows during the monsoon season, the current floods are a direct result of climate change. Not only have they been caused by the alterations in rainfall patterns, but also by burst glaciers, lack of infrastructure, and unfit urban planning. Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, an Islamabad-based independent expert on climate change, told Al Jazeera that different flood types can be identified, such as riverine floods, urban floods, glacier burst floods, and flash flooding. “Climate change is a threat multiplier”, Sheikh stated. 

The lack of government capacity, development planning, and adequate infrastructure were identified as main issues in the emergency. According to a report by the International Rescue Committee, the government has claimed that it will take at least five years for the country to rebuild and rehabilitate the nation, while in the near term it will be confronted with acute food shortages. Almost half of the country’s cotton crop has been washed away and vegetable, fruit, and rice fields have sustained significant damage, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said. A Flood Response Plan by the Pakistan Government and the United Nations was launched on August 30, focusing on food security, assistance for agriculture and livestock, shelter and non-food items, nutrition programmes, primary health services, protection, water and sanitation, women’s health, and education support, as well as shelter for displaced people.

“This super flood is driven by climate change – the causes are international and so the response calls for international solidarity”, Julien Harneis, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, stated. Developing countries in the global South are especially vulnerable to extreme climate conditions, and sadly, they lack both economic and capacity resources to effectively respond to such crises. The number of affected people keeps rising like the tide, and the question remains: when will the international community act to stop climate change?

 

Featured photo, an aerial view of a flooded residential area in Sindh Province, southeastern Pakistan is from UNICEF and can be found here.

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Fate Un-seal-ed: In conversation with Seal Rescue Ireland

Fate Un-seal-ed: In conversation with Seal Rescue Ireland

Fate Un-seal-ed:

In conversation with

Seal Rescue Ireland

 

United Nations humanitarian aid workers unload supplies from their vehicle
N K Initials for Niamh Kelly

17th of September 2022

Ireland has a rich and diverse array of marine wildlife, including two native seal species, common and grey. Seal Rescue Ireland (SRI) is a charity whose goal is to “rescue, rehabilitate and release native seals found sick, injured or orphaned from across the coast of Ireland”. Aoife O’Donoghue, who started as an animal care and conservation intern in SRI and has since taken on the role of donations and membership coordinator, highlighted in an interview with STAND News, how various human activities have impacted on the individual seals SRI has rescued, and also on wider marine biodiversity.

Photo by Aoife O’Donoghue. Finnegas, a male common seal pup, on his first day of fish school.

Aoife explained that “if you counted our marine territory, Ireland would be the same size as France”, and this large environment provides suitable habitats for many marine creatures, including seals. Ireland has a population of about 8,000 – 10,000 grey seals, and despite the name, a smaller population of about 3,000 – 4,000 common seals. Common seals, also known as harbour seals, have a wider geographical spread across the globe than grey seals, leading to their species’ moniker. An aid for the novice seal-watcher to differentiate between the two species that Aoife recommended is their similarity to household pets, “If it looks like a dog, it’s a grey seal. If it looks like a cat, it’s a common seal”. Grey seals are found most commonly in areas such as Dalkey and Howth, have long muzzles, and as their name suggests, have a grey coat. The west coast of Ireland is the most likely location to see common seals and this species have V-shaped nostrils. 

SRI is dedicated to helping seals from around the Irish coast that are ill, hurt or left without a mother to care for them. With capacity to care for up to fifty-five seals at one time and a volunteer network of around 800 people trained and licenced to rescue seals, SRI has observed six reasons why these animals are in need of rescue and rehabilitation before being released. These causes reflect larger global issues resulting from “anthropogenic activities” (human activities influencing the environment) affecting marine environments and biodiversity, as well as Irish seals, and are listed below:

 

Plastic Entanglement

Fishing equipment such as fishing nets that are lost or broken at sea still continue to catch fish, even though the nets are no longer in use for fishing. The fish trapped within these “ghost nets” attract larger predators such as dolphins, sharks and seals. Seals become entangled with the fishing equipment and any attempt to escape can worsen the situation. The entanglements can also restrict a seal’s movement, and this, in turn impacts its ability to hunt, and can result in starvation. Also, if a plastic entanglement begins to cut into a seal’s skin, it can cause infections and injuries.

Illnesses

Healthy seals are usually able to fight off parasites and illnesses, such as seal pox, by themselves. Aoife explained that “poor water quality lowers [seals’] immune system, and it can turn these illnesses quite deadly”. This poor water quality also impacts the wider marine environment habitats and inhabitants. Products that enter the seas from human activities such as “pesticides, herbicides, industrial harbours with metal in them, and raw sewage points” can have a negative impact on the health of any marine creatures living in affected areas.

Injury

Seals haul out onto beaches to rest, but during storms they can become injured if they are dragged out to sea and thrown against rocks or cliffs. SRI rescue seals with “broken bones, bruises, abrasions”, and after Storm Ophelia, more seals required help from SRI than the charity had capacity to accommodate. After taking in an additional eleven seals, bringing the total being cared for to sixty-six, SRI was unable to take in more seals as they “couldn’t ensure the best quality care if [they] kept taking them in”. These seals were rehabilitated and returned to the seas, but SRI hopes to not be in such a situation again of being unable to take in any seals that require their help. Aoife pointed out that “we’re getting way more storms in the last few years and they’re actually way more intense because of climate change”, and the injured seals are one local example of the impact of a global issue. Increasing frequency and intensity of storms may place SRI and other organisations in a position of more marine animals needing rescue and rehabilitation at one time than can be accommodated properly within an organisation’s resources and facilities.

Emaciation

Seals can come into SRI underweight and dehydrated if they are not able to find enough food. These sea mammals then begin to use their energy reserves known as blubber (a layer of fat that insulates the seals and helps to keep them warm). Ireland’s marine environment includes cold coral reefs. These cold coral reefs provide a habitat for the seals and the fish that they prey on, and are also “essential for hatcheries and fisheries. We’re not only fishing unsustainably, but we’re also destroying [cold coral reefs] with our fishing practices” as “bottom trawlers are dragging weights across [cold coral reefs]”. The destruction of these habitats, as Aoife explains, means fish stocks are being depleted, and the way to replenish fish stocks is also disappearing, because the cold coral reefs provide an environment for fish to reproduce. A decline in fish can result in seals being unable to find food and feed

Orphaning

Seal pups can be left without a mother naturally, if she dies, but often if people come too close to a seal pup on the beach, the mother will choose to abandon the pup to ensure she survives to have more pups in the following years. Seal mothers will leave their pups to feed in the sea and return to feed their pups afterwards, so unattended pups are not always orphaned pups. SRI is educating the public on how to respond if they see a seal pup by itself on the beach, and ask that people maintain at least a 100 metre distance, keep dogs on leashes and to ring or Whatsapp SRI if they have any concerns. Seals are protected under both EU and Irish Law (Wildlife Act, 1976) and It is illegal to harm or harass a seal in Ireland. SRI, and their trained volunteers, are licensed under National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) to legally handle seals, but will only do so if life-saving measures are deemed necessary Seal pups are monitored for a 24-hour period before being moved to the SRI facilities in Courtown, Wexford to guarantee the mother has not return to the pup, because as Aoife explained, “[seal pups] are at a crucial stage, they need to be with their mom. [SRI] do are best, but we’re secondary in care compared to a mother seal”.  

 

Photo by Chris Parkes. A grey seal pup on beach in Wicklow. The pup still has his lanugo (fluffy white coat) so less than 3 weeks old and still dependent on his mum for milk.

SRI not only helps seals that are ill, injured or orphaned, but engages in other work such as community outreach, education and habitat restoration. Guided educational tours of the centre for the general public are offered by SRI and seal feeding enrichment experiences which provide a behind-the-scenes look at SRI’s work. These tours, as Aoife said, highlight that SRI is “not a sanctuary. All of these seals that come into our care, they go straight back out to the wild once they’re healthy and up at a good weight again”. SRI also work with other organisations such as various county councils. These partnerships allow surveys of the seal populations to be conducted and beach areas can be closed off during the pupping season if necessary. SRI also had a community outreach stall at Bloom festival in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Finally, the conservation centre is aiming to plant 20,000 native Irish trees before the end of the year and hosts tree-planting events. Animal care such as feeding the seals, cleaning out the pools, applying wound care, administering medications and providing enrichment are essential in SRI, but the charity takes varied approaches to achieve its goal of helping seals. Their volunteering and internship opportunities are another example of this commitment. Aoife joined SRI after completing a Bachelor of Science in biology in National University of Ireland, Maynooth and later on, a Master of Science in Global Change: Ecosystem Science and Policy in University College Dublin. She stresses, however, that people from many backgrounds volunteer and work with SRI, “if you have an education background, if you’ve marketing, media, community engagement, obviously animal care and conservation, [SRI have] all those internships”. Aoife has developed professional connections and also strong friendships through her involvement with SRI,  “but honestly, it’s the seals that are the best part. Most of them come in and they’re quite poorly, quite lethargic. It takes them a few weeks obviously, and then suddenly, when they’re starting to feel better, their whole personalities come out”. After the seals are ready for release, “they will just galumph out of their cage and there’s no looking back for them. They’re just straight out into the water”. 

SRI are conducting rewarding and challenging work to rescue seals impacted by various “anthropogenic activities” and showcase a dedicated local response to protecting marine biodiversity. Global challenges such as climate change, plastic pollution and preserving marine environments have far-reaching effects, including on Ireland’s native seals. 

 

Thank you to SRI donations and membership coordinator Aoife O’Donoghue and executive director Melanie Croce for their support in this article.

 

Featured photo by Chris Parkes of Ilia Pika, a female common seal pup, with interns cleaning one of the deeper pools.

This article was supported by: STAND News Intern Brianna Walsh and Student Engagement Manager Aislin Lavin

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