February 4-22, 2008 | Schumacher College | website

Ezio Manzini, Terry Irwin, Michael Braungart, Alastair Fuad-Luke, Karen Blincoe

A choice of weeks is available – see details. Can be taken as a one, two or three week course.

Participants on this course will explore established and emergent trends in sustainable design with a range of expert teachers. Using methodology, innovation and creativity, participants will establish the themes of design solutions for use in their work.  Read on...

By Harrison and M. Muldowney

Acupuncture originated in China more than 3000 years ago and is a complex medical system used to treat illness, prevent disease and improve well-being. Holistic in approach, it focuses on all aspects of the person. It involves the insertion of fine pre-sterilised needles, at predetermined points on the surface of the body, in order to restore health.

Acupuncture can be used alone or combined with other forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) e.g. Moxibustion: a form of heat treatment; Dietary Therapy; Herbal Medicine; Life Style Advice.

11th - 12th August, Carraig Dulra in Glenealy Co Wicklow 
www.dulra.org | info@dulra.org | 087 222 3412

Come enjoy a "Weekend on the Mountain" (in association with CELT), where you can take your choice from courses in environmental and ecological trades for all levels. Courses include Coppersmithing / Tinsmithing, Dry Stone & Lime Mortar Walling, Herb-lore, Wood Carving, Ti-pi making. Cost is €120 

We are also pleased to have Anthonio Akkermans from Wild-Live (N Ireland), who will give his introductory Primitive Living Skills/Bushcraft course over the weekend. Places are limited on this course. Cost is €145.

Finally, during the weekend we will be running Music Workshops for under 12's and 12-18's. Cost is discounted for children whose parents are attending another course on the weekend, but the music workshops are open to all children.

Wednesday 10th November 2010 | 3.00pm - 6.30pm | Cultivate at The Greenhouse, St Andrew St, D2 (map) | All are welcome | Light refreshments will be served | RSVP: Please provide contact details (e-mail address or phone number) by email: ecoq@gn.apc.org

This is organised by Eco Quakers Ireland, which is the Eco Committee of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), in conjunction with ECCR (The Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility).

This meeting is a step towards building a movement in both parts of Ireland to raise awareness about the need for ethically and ecologically sensitive financial services. It will offer an opportunity to learn about the general issues, to meet representatives from some of the providers of financial services which are already engaged in this movement, and to discuss what needs to be done.

The Green Planet Awards are a brand new third level initiative, which encourage students in colleges across Ireland to consider how human actions impact on the environment. Students are invited to put their research and creative skills to the test by building awareness campaigns in their local communities, both on and off campus, to highlight environmental issues. The 2009 Green Planet Awards challenge is Eco-Eating - raising awareness of how the food we eat affects the planet.

Saturday September 6th | 9.45 to 17.00 | Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny | Bookings: See www.comhlamh.org or email devforum@comhlamh.org

Comhlámh's Development Forum promises to be a fascinating and engaging event in which development issues will be addressed and you will have the opportunity to meet and relax with like-minded people in the beautiful Marble City.

Guest speakers include Vicky Cann from the World Development Movement (UK), Gavin Harte from the Stop Climate Chaos campaign, and Steve Thornhill from Ethical Development Action (Cork) - and a range of open space and scheduled workshops including:

• How Agri-Food and Fuel Policies in the Developed World Affect Developing Countries
• Building Comhlámh's New Campaign - How You Can Be Part of It
• Southern Perspectives in Development Education

Download the full schedule and the registration form from www.comhlamh.org

Saturday 26th July 2008 | 11.00 am - 3.00 pm | Tymon Regional Park, Tallaght | At the Visitor Centre and Allotments Site

Enjoy tours of allotments, talks, information stands, produce display and more.

Contact: sdaa@eircom.net 

Kindly supported by South Dublin County Council.

Parts of this exhibit are still on display at The Greenhouse, St Andrew St, D2 (map)

The Greenhouse is delighted to play host to The Irish Reef. This free exhibit combines aspects of geometry, mathematics, handicraft, marine biology, art and community in an explosion of colour and natural shapes. Located on the ground floor of the Greenhouse, the Irish Reef is a satellite of the worldwide Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project created by Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the Institute For Figuring in Los Angeles. Visit www.crochetcoralreef.org

Also see the TED talk: Margaret Wertheim on the beautiful math of coral.

First Tuesday of every month | 18.00 - 20.00 | The Science Gallery, Trinity College, Pearse Street, Dublin 2

Green Drinks is a chance to mix with other eco-minded people, share info, make friends & contacts. It has now spread to over 390 cities around the world! The event is made simple and unstructured and there are no fees so we hope you can make it! Please email info@leafliving.com if you are coming or if you would like to be added to the mailing list. For more information about Green Drinks please visit  www.greendrinks.org 

Open meeting of Dublin Food Growing - Food Security from the Ground Up

7:30 to 9:30pm, 21st Feb 2008

Venue: Cultivate Center, 15 - 19 Essex St West, Temple Bar, Dublin 8 | map

Please come along if you live in or around Dublin and:

• are concerned about food security in a time of high energy costs
• want to reduce the climate impact of our food systems
• are concerned about rising food prices and economic insecurity
• have a desire to empower yourself by growing your own food
• want to campaign for more and better allotments in Dublin
• are involved in an existing food growing project
• want to share your food growing experiences with others

A Cultivate member has a house to rent in Crumlin for €1000 per month.  He has endeavoured to follow green principles as much as possible when carrying out work to the house and would like to attract like minded individuals to rent it. 

There is a good size back garden (30 x 20ft), a side entrance with storage, raised beds, compost bin, recycling bins, fruit bushes and trees (and gardening tools). 

If you are interested say that you heard about it through Cultivate and you will get priority. 

Follow this link to see the porperty on Daft:  www.daft.ie/2783632

International research has shown a link between fluoridation and bone cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, hip fractures, memory loss, irritable bowel syndrome, genetic damage and immune system damage. Despite the serious health risks posed by exposure to fluoride no research has been done on the health effects of over 30 years of fluoridation in Ireland. Why do one in five Irish adults have irritable bowel syndrome? Why are more and more women in their 30s and 40s suffering from oesteoporosis? If fluoridation has been shown to increase cancer in the USA why isnt it stopped immediately?

15th - 23rd August | Co Offaly

Climate Camp is a place where anyone who cares about climate change and can meet, live, learn and take direct action together.  

Climate Camp works with four key themes: education, direct action, sustainable living, and building a movement to effectively tackle climate change by both resisting climate crimes and developing sustainable solutions.

Climate Camp is self organised and everyone is welcome

To find out more email joinclimatecamp@gmail.com

Achieving the Balance

Europa Academy, Balheary Road, Swords, Co. Dublin | 11th and 12th October 2007

This exciting conference will provide a platform for tourism practitioners to network, learn from each other and promote their work. Conference speakers include John Power, Irish Hotels Federation, Anthony Climpson, New Forest District Council and Marella Fyffe, Irelands Green Box.

For further information please contact Elaine O’Halloran: Tel: 01- 8146094 Fax: 01- 874 8572 Email: Elaine.ohalloran@dit.ie For registration, please check out our website 

086 174 4938 | 01 639 4653 | www.stopclimatechaos.ie

NOTICE to all the supporters of the Agencies and Organisations that have come together in Stop Climate Chaos.   Your participation in the World-wide Global Day of Action on December 8th is urgently required to strengthen Ireland's position at the Intergovernmental Negotiations about stopping climate change, taking place in Bali at that time. 

YOU ARE INVITED to a meeting at ENFO, St Andrews Street, Dublin, on Saturday 11th August at 11am to learn more about the vital importance of the Bali negotiations, and to discuss plans for Ireland's part in The Global Day of Action.   See www.globalclimatecampaign.org

After last years resounding success, The Greencrafts Village is back at the Electric Picnic as the festivals only off-grid area showcasing traditional Irish crafts in action. Greencrafts co-ordinators, Nic & Marie Piper, have an open call welcoming applications to lead craft workshops / show sculpture / do demonstrations during the 3 day event.
For full details of dates, expenses available, etc, please see: www.greencrafts.ie (see events/electric picnic download) &  www.electricpicnic.ie (see general festival info)

craft in action • hands on skill-share
E:  greencrafts@hotmail.com
W: www.greencrafts.ie

Our friend Fran signed up to participate in the Flora mini marathon to raise money to donate towards the ISPCA fund for Orangutans on the verge of extinction in Borneo. This marathon is going to be physically demanding, so she's getting training straight away!

If you would like to find out more or to sponsor Fran you can do so here .

Another world is possible: learning from each other's struggles

ceesa-ma.blogspot.com

For decades community groups, the women's movement and other social justice movements have been the driving force behind equality in Ireland, while global justice activists have highlighted the crisis of climate change and neo-liberalism. As economies falter and social partnership collapses, what do we already know about how to change the world? This course brings together experienced activists in community education and social movements with those interested and  motivated about social justice to create new knowledge and develop alternatives. Do you want to join us on this learning journey?

Saturday 16th – Sunday 17th April | 10:00 to 16:30 both days | €150 includes refreshments | Bookings and further details: Hendrik Lepel | 086 883 8400 | kirdnehl@hotmail.com

Ever fancied to upgrade your BBQ-Corner with a Pizzaoven?

Impress your friends and learn in just two days how to build your own Pizzaoven! This very unique event is an in depth and hands on workshop which will show you the basics of Bread and Pizzaoven construction!

Friday 19th March - Sunday 21st | Sli Na Bandé, Kilmurry, Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow | Cost €195.00 all inclusive (drop in also welcome) | www.slinabande.ie

The weekend starts on Friday evening with a dinner at 7 pm and ends on Sunday after lunch or after the Ceremony at 10pm.  Facilitated by Marlene ffrench Mullen, IYA Dip and Iyengar Yoga Teacher and assisted by Beccy Cameron, Iyengar Yoga Teacher.

Weekend includes tuition, 2 nights accommodation, 3 yoga practices, 2 meditation sessions, all meals, parking and the use of the facilities.

Residential Healing Retreat and Workshop With Benig Mauger

22 - 24th May 2009  |  Burren Holistic Centre - The Burren, Co. Clare | www.burrenholisticcentre.com

In an increasingly fragmented world, we seek inner wholeness, spiritual purpose-and love. Seeking love outside of ourselves however, keeps us divided. To be capable of giving and receiving love, we have to embrace our essential natures and heal our emotional wounds. Healing comes from within, and accepting our wounds as gifts and our early life experiences as spiritual tasks of empowerment both heals and frees us.

© Benig Mauger www.soul-connections.com
From: Love in a Time of Broken Heart-Healing From Within, by Benig Mauger, Soul Connections, 2008 Essential reading for the workshop.

A Training in Hosting Conversations that Matter | May 22nd - 24th, 2008 | Glencree, County Wicklow, Ireland

How can the practices of Art of Hosting and Art of Harvesting questions and conversations that matter, support better leadership, systems change and greater sustainability in our World?

The Art of Hosting & Harvesting Conversations that matter is an opportunity for all who aspire to learn and find new ways of working with others in more, interactive, engaging and meaningful ways.

This training will explore and support:  (click Read More below)

Wed 14 April 9.30am – 7.00pm and Thurs 15 April 9.00am – 5.00pm | Main Hall, RDS, D4 | To register or for more information visit www.sei.ie/energyshow

Presented by Sustainable Energy Ireland, the Energy Show has been developed for industry and business to see and learn about the latest sustainable energy technologies and practices. This two-day exhibition showcases leading energy suppliers and the latest innovative products and services. You can also get a wealth of tips from best practice case studies and insights into sustainable energy opportunities at our extensive seminar programme. Seminar bookings are now being taken.

Hungry for gardening?

Saturday 12th March 2011 | 12 Noon | Seven Oaks·Community Garden,·Seven Oaks Apartments, Sarsfield Road, Dublin 10. |·E-mail:·aideenoby@hotmail.com·|·Tel:·087 1269614·

One of Dublin Community Growers first garden events of the season takes place at the Seven Oaks Apartment Complex, just off the Sarsfield Road, in Dublin 10. The community garden at Seven Oaks has been just an idea for the past year or so. It’s been the wish of the residents of this predominantly affordable housing development to build themselves a garden – a shared area for people to grow vegetables, attract some wildlife, and use as a space to retreat and relax in.

Dublin designer branches out with 'tree' PC
08-11-2007
by Charlie Taylor

An innovative tree-shaped PC that allows users to upgrade parts of the computer separately when required, has won a major design award.

Laura Caulwell (22), a graduate of the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) took home the Dyson Ireland Student Design Award on Wednesday for her invention entitled 'Cultivate -- the Sustainable Living Computer.'

Full article online  

Saturday 24th April | 1pm - 4pm | 01 6745773 | Cultivate at The Greenhouse, St Andrew St, D2

Enjoy goodies as part of the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale (see www.veganbakesale.org). Come for this delicious opportunity to sample a variety of mouth-watering baked goods, from chocolate chip cookies to sponge cakes, all lovingly created without any animal products!  All proceeds will go to Cats Aid, a Dublin-based charity entirely made up of volunteers, which seeks to rescue, rehabilitate and find good homes for unwanted cats (www.catsaid.org). The bake sale is being organised by four friends from the Vegetarian Society of Ireland (www.vegetarian.ie).

Monday & Tuesday 17/18 Sept | Cork | info@aspo-ireland.org | www.aspo-ireland.org   | 087 220 8789

'Time to react?' was chosen because it resonates on two levels, the most obvious is designed to target the mainstream public for whom the concept is still quite new and generally poorly understood. The second is for the more seasoned student of Peak Oil where the focus of attention is moving from trying to predict when peak might occur to the realisation that the range of possible dates is finite and even the most optimistic forecasts suggest that our modern society faces a truly significant challenge to deal with the phenomenon of Peak Oil. And that will occur within the context of the equally grave challenge we face from the threat of Global Warming. As Global Warming moves into mainstream consciousness we will explore the relationship between these two critical challenges.  We look forward to seeing you at the conference and enjoying your contribution to our understanding of the phenomenon of Peak Oil.

The dictionary definition of pollution - "the contamination of one substance by another so that the former is unfit for its intended use" - is limited and anthropocentric. Pollution does not just affect substances which can be used by humans, it affects all of nature. It takes many forms - noise, radiation, heat, chemical - and effects land, air and water. It knows no boundaries - the wind and the rivers do not recognise political borders, nor are the oceans separate entities. Pollution now even reaches beyond planet earth in the form of space junk.

Residential Healing Retreat and Workshop With Benig Mauger

28-30th November 2008  |  Burren Holistic Centre - The Burren, Co. Clare | www.burrenholisticcentre.com

In an increasingly fragmented world, we seek inner wholeness, spiritual purpose-and love. Seeking love outside of ourselves however, keeps us divided. To be capable of giving and receiving love, we have to embrace our essential natures and heal our emotional wounds. Healing comes from within, and accepting our wounds as gifts and our early life experiences as spiritual tasks of empowerment both heals and frees us.

Using a unique blend of psychology and spirituality, Healing from Within is designed to guide you on your inner journey. Using meditation, art, movement and dream work, this experiential workshop will examine how soul patterns transmitted to us in early life influence how we relate, and offer a framework for understanding how these imprints are played out in our lives and relationships. Since the union of the masculine and feminine within is essential to individual spiritual well-being, I will consider in addition, how heartbreak is a sacred initiation that can lead us to love and compassion. Using

Saturday 6th October | 11am - 5pm | Cultivate | €Donation

The event is being organised by the Vegetarian Society of Ireland.
For further info:  www.vegetarian.ie

Come and taste it for yourself!  Join other vegetarians in our celebration of this world event.  The fair will feature talks and information stands on vegetarianism and other related issues, fresh organic fruit and vegetables, restaurants serving a variety of vegetarian foods, as well as raffles and entertainment throughout the day.

In 1994 we held our first 'world vegetarian day fair' to celebrate all things vegetarian in our country. The event ran annually until last year (2006) when exhorbitant insurance put a halt to proceedings. We are back in action now and are returning with our fair at Cultivate.

Cultivate's Davie Philip will be doing a presentation on 'food, climate change and energy security' at 1pm.

Sign the petition!

Ireland currently has the highest energy consumption per household for lighting in the EU. Energy is being wasted by grossly inefficient lighting like incandescent bulbs and old halogen lights. The Government needs to make a law setting ever-improving efficiency standards, so that lightbulb companies can only make and sell the good stuff.

By Saul Mosbacher

If you are bold enough to work with wood in the round a whole wealth of possibilities awakens. It is slower to work but has an elegant rustic charm which is a valuable inspiration. Since at least the cost of timber is in the cutting, heavier frames are affordable in round timber. It is very attractive as exposed rafters ( particularly with low earth roofs) and in may other exposed situations.

It is relatively easy to source a suitable truck of forestry thinnings at a low cost or find locally coppiced poles of Ash, Sweet Chestnut or Hazel which can often be got from hedgerows (If your budget is very tight it's important to design around what you have-this is the essence of low-impact building). Round poles shed water easily as they don't have the open grain showing, this also makes them difficult to treat however.

Good Friday 2nd April | 20.00 'til late | Club Nassau, Corner of Nassau/Kildare St | €10 on the door

DanceWave is an alternative club night designed to get your legs shaking without a hefty dose of drinks or drugs. The Wave starts at 8.30pm and goes until 11pm. The crux of the buzz is a 2 hour dancefloor experience designed to guide you, your mind, and your body through a series of beats and rhythms, much like a well structured workout, to help you rediscover the joy of the dance. This is the first of many DanceWaves. There will also be food from the Happy Pear if the hunger badger starts poking around as your belly dances.

Please share on your facebook profile.

By Anne Marie Sheridan

You've made the decision; you're going to eat organic food from now on. You find your local shop has little but the odd organic lettuce and the vegetables and fruit in the supermarket are all covered in cling film. This is a very familiar scenario. What's the alternative? One option, which is growing in popularity is the box system. This is where you buy a box of vegetables directly from the grower either at the farm gate or from a home delivery service.

New Skills for a New Future

CAT's Graduate School of the Environment is accepting postgraduate applications through September 2011. 

The Graduate School at the Centre for Alternative Technology is a world class training centre with over 35 years practical hands-on expertise in sustainability practice.  CAT is based in the Wales Institute for Sustainable Education (WISE) – a venue sensitively constructed out of low-embodied energy materials such as hemp and lime, rammed earth and sustainably sourced timber. The supply of on-site renewable energy sources, including biomass and solar power, means that WISE is a truly sustainable place to study.

Winter Solstice Celebration & Christmas Fair

OOOOBY Store, Glenealy Village,  Wiclow

Come and help banish the darkness with a celebration of light on Saturday 19th December.  

Along with the child-friendly celebration, there will also be a Christmas fair for local, fairtrade & eco-friendly food & craft; a relaxed community space to do your last minute shopping.  

The Fair and Celebration run from 1-4pm, and Santa will arrive at 2:30pm.  

This is our last event of the year; the OOOOBY store will reopen in January.

Wednesday & Thursday 29 - 30 April | RDS Main Hall

Ninth Energy Show orgnaised by Sustainable Energy Ireland 

The Energy Show, now established as Ireland’s biggest annual showcase for the sustainable energy sector, is a must for all professionals with an interest in, or responsibility for, energy use in business. The Show, which will run for two days on 29 & 30 April in the RDS,  will take the form of a trade exhibition and seminar programme, covering all aspects of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Seminar Titles include:

• Commercial and Public Irish Buildings- Building Tomorrow’s Solutions Today
• Earth, Water, Wind and Fire – Ireland’s Transition to Fuelling the Future
• Small and Medium Organisations- The Proven Route to Tackling Energy Use.
• Energy Efficiency in Irish Industry – Breaking the Barriers to Success. 

Website: www.sei.ie/energyshow

For further information contact energyshow@sei.ie

by Marcus McCabe

Permaculture is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems with the stability and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is a design system which connects various components so that the waste of one process becomes the raw material for the next. The elements of design not only include buildings and gardens but also orchards, pasture, coppice woodlands, legal and financial structures as well as appropriate technologies and the connections. The most misunderstood aspect of permaculture design is the importance of a clear plan and an installation process which will work ecologically and financially. For the same cost an infrastructure can be set up to either generate and maintain life systems or destroy them. It is all about designing cyclic systems. Unfortunately most of the investment in land-use in the past has assisted in actually damaging the primary resources bases namely healthy soil, clean water and air.

Stop Climate Chaos, a coalition of development, environment, youth and faith based organisations, has sent every TD a copy of its new campaign leaflet which graphically illustrates Ireland’s shocking pollution record. “So, Just How Green Is Ireland?” highlights how far we have to go to do our fair share to prevent runaway climate change.

Click here to open a flash animation version of the leaflet.

Click here to download a pdf version of the leaflet.

SO, JUST HOW GREEN IS IRELAND?

Coop Ireland | 1890 927 670 | info@coopireland.org | coopireland.org

Coop Ireland are looking for an editorial co-ordinator for the National Green Pages. Its a temporary role over an eight week period and the person could work from home for most of the project. Applicants must have editorial experience with a general understanding of all issues.

The National Green Pages 2007/08 will provide over 250,000 homes and businesses with a comprehensive and valuable reference book to which they can refer time and time again throughout the year.

In collaboration with Comhar Sustainable Development Council, Environmental Protection Agency, Geological Survey of Ireland, Met Eireann, Sustainable Energy Ireland, Teagasc.

A weekly seminar until 5 June 2009 (click Read more for schedule) focusing on bringing the science and policy of climate change to key stakeholders in the Irish Policy system, including the general public.

Venue: The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 | €Free

Saturday, 20 September | 1pm | UCD, Belfield | €27.65

Ireland’s family owned organic dairy, Glensisk brings Erin Brockovich to Dublin to mark National Organic Week, September 2008

Renowned campaigner and activist Erin Brockovich, subject of the 2000 oscar-winning film of the same name, will visit Dublin during September 2008 thanks to Ireland’s family-owned and operated organic dairy, Glenisk. The event is being held by Glenisk to celebrate Ireland’s National Organic Week, which runs from 15-21 September 2008. Tickets for the event, which is open to the public, cost €27.65 and are available from www.ticketmaster.ie or by telephoning 0818 719300. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the GM-free Ireland Network, the NGO which campaigns to keep genetically modified organisms out of Irish agriculture and food.

Find out how you and your family can save money by reducing household bills while doing your bit for the environment with An Taisce’s Green Home programme. For practical tips on reducing household bills with no cost and low cost measures, while decreasing your household’s energy, water and transport use and production of waste, download our action plans and visit our forum on www.greenhome.ie .

Enter our monthly competitions to win great prizes and enjoy the benefits of membership on the Green Home website.

For details visit: www.greenhome.ie or phone: 01 4002205 or email: teachgreen2@antaisce.org

By Niamh Gaynor 

Debt is an economic problem with a distinctly human face. Rooted in actions taken by leaders in both the North and the South in the early 70s, its crippling impacts are most severely felt by ordinary citizens in the South, in particular the poor. Diverting scarce resources away from social sector spending, debt leaves them without immunisation against fatal, but easily preventable diseases, and without treatment for readily curable ones. It condemns them to a life without education, threatens their livelihoods, their environment, and perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty to which they are born. Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, spends more on servicing its $200 billion debt than on the health and education of its 306 million children whilst Zambias debt servicing last year was greater than spending on all social sectors combined [2]

12 - 2pm Saturday 19 June 2010 The South Circular Road Community Garden, Dolphins Barn 

The Garden Butterfly Workshp aims to provide a practical hands on experience and knowledge of the butterflies that coexist with us amongst the urban landscape of Dublin. A talk and demonstruction will serve to reveal butterfly life cycle and habits, while gardening methods for encouraging and supporting their presence will also be described. The event is aimed at both adults and children with the intention of answering questions and proving information and advice. While providing and afternoon of recreational fun within this central Dubin location, the gardening workshops also seek to deliver environmental contributions in the areas of education, promotion and research.

Longest running organic food market ‘on the move’

To coincide with the launch of National Organic Week, Dublin Food Co-operative will officially open its new organic food market at 12 Newmarket, Dublin 8 (just off Cork Street) on Saturday 20th October. 

The new market is being opened by the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley TD.