CLIMATE CRISIS WAS WELL FLAGGED FOR MANY YEARS, SAYS EPA BOSS
LAURA Burke, director general of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), based in Johnstown Castle, told the 15th annual Environment Ireland Conference that Ireland is living beyond its carbon and environmental means.
Ms Burke said the climate emergency we face is something that has been well flagged by evidence from scientists worldwide, including the EPA.
‘It is now accepted globally that we are facing a climate emergency, but it has not arrived suddenly or without warning. The build-up of pollutants in our atmosphere and waters, the gradual loss of biodiversity, the contamination of land – these are insidious, incremental challenges to our environment and health that have been borne out by scientific evidence, including that of the EPA, for many years. What we now need is urgent transformational change based on what the evidence is telling us.
Ms Burke challenged members of the public and policy-makers to step up to the challenge and take action, saying that by doing so we can imagine a better future for everyone.
‘It is up to us, as individuals, to take ownership of environmental issues and take action, both in our personal and business lives. Actions on a personal level to reduce carbon consumption have the associated benefits of healthier lives, better air quality and more local connection and engagement. We need to use our power as individuals to ask questions and to support those who are addressing issues and genuinely trying to make a difference.’
The EPA boss said one of the organisation’s primary functions is to use scientific evidence to protect and improve our natural environment and human health.
‘ The EPA has, over the last 25 years, built up critical national data, which now serves as a national asset for the public good,’ she said.
Ms Burke also warned that the challenges remain substantial and could be considered overwhelming.
She noted an enduring risk of eco-fatigue, and more worryingly, a growing eco-anxiety in young people. She challenged those in attendance to find ways to match the uncomfortable evidence with optimism for the future.
‘All of us have a responsibility to not alone bring forward the uncomfortable evidence, but also to build optimism through the identification of solutions, the celebration of successes, the embracing of necessary change and delivering on commitments. And if we can use this power to propel the change necessary, we can begin to imagine a better future for ourselves, our children and generations to come,’ she said.
The EPA is the national independent public body responsible for protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset for the people of Ireland. It was established in 1992 and 162 of the 420 staff are based in the headquarters in Johnstown Castle.
The agency has provided a list of the following small changes that people can make to help protect the environment:
Stop Food Waste: research shows that people waste food because they buy too much of it or they don’t use it on time. Writing a shopping list reduces food waste. Other tips that help include not going shopping when you are hungry as you’ll buy more than you need. Even better, buy your groceries online as you won’t get distracted. Visit www.stopfoodwaste.ie for further advice and tips.
See It, Say It!: download the ‘See It? Say It!’ app to your phone and report environmental pollution if you see it.
Save Energy: if your washing machine, dishwasher or dryer has an economy button/reduced time–temperature, use it whenever you can.
It is best to always keep the fridge and freezer as full as is reasonably possible.
Appliances on standby can use up to 20 per cent of the energy that they would use if switched on, so make sure they are fully switched off, e.g. TVs, PCs, DVDs, printers, games consoles, satellite boxes/players/recorders and kitchen appliances.
If your hot water is being heated by a central-heating boiler and your hot-water cylinder has a thermostat, you should set the thermostat to 65 °C.
For more energy saving tips, visit www.seai.ie.
Save Water: find out how to protect your drinking water supply and conserve water at home at http://www.epa.ie/water/
When thinking of buying something new, ask yourself: do I really need it? Can I produce it myself ? Do I need a new one? Can I use a repair and restoration service such as that provided by, for example, the Rediscovery Centre: http://www.rediscoverycentre.ie. Take an active role in positively influencing behaviours that will result in improved health and environmental outcomes in your home, business and community. Visit the EPA website www. epa.ie for more information on living sustainably.