Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [50]
One hotly debated question is the effect of global warming on the North Atlantic Drift, also known as the Gulf Stream, which carries warm waters north from the Gulf of Mexico and the west coast of Africa. Some scientists argue the Gulf Stream is already losing strength, and may stop circulating altogether within the next few decades. If that happens, Arctic waters may exert a greater influence on Ireland, dramatically cooling things off – at least until global warming brings up the temperature of the Arctic region. In that scenario, Ireland can forget about a Mediterranean climate – Scandinavian would be more like it. The weakening of the Gulf Stream is not universally accepted, and its possible effects are questioned. But, needless to say, folks will be talking a lot about the weather in the near future.
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Another successful project has been the Village (www.thevillage.ie), a 67-acre lot next to the village of Cloughjordan, in North Tipperary, purchased in 2005 by Sustainable Projects Ireland Ltd who proceeded to develop the site as an entirely sustainable community. The government has jumped on board, too – in 2009, Enterprise Ireland announced grant funding for eco-enterprises located within the Village project. Meanwhile, the Republic has established 67 wind farms in an effort to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.
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To see a growing list of low-impact holiday options in Ireland (and elsewhere), visit www.responsibletravel.com.
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While these are positive signs, they don’t really put Ireland at the vanguard of the environmental movement. Polls seem to indicate the Irish are slightly less concerned about the environment than are the citizens of most other European countries, and the country is a long way from meeting its Kyoto Protocol requirement for reduced emissions. The government isn’t pushing the environmental agenda much beyond ratifying EU agreements, although it must be said that these have established fairly ambitious goals for reduced air pollution and tighter management of water quality.
The annual number of tourists in Ireland far exceeds the number of residents (by a ratio of about 1.5 to one), so travellers can have a huge impact on the local environment. Tourism is frequently cited as potentially beneficial to the environment – that is, responsible visitor spending can help stimulate ecofriendly sectors of the economy. Ecotourism is not really burgeoning in a formalised way, although an organisation called the Greenbox has established standards for ecotourism on the island and promotes tour companies that comply to these standards. The rising popularity of outdoor activities such as diving, surfing and fishing create economic incentives for maintaining the cleanliness of Ireland’s coasts and inland waters, but increased activity in these environments can be harmful if not managed carefully.
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The Greenbox (www.greenbox.ie) offers a range of ecofriendly activities and tours in northwest Ireland.
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Ireland’s comprehensive and efficient bus network makes it easy to avoid the use of a car, and the country is well suited to cycling and walking holidays. Many hotels, guest houses and hostels tout green credentials, and organic ingredients are frequently promoted on restaurant menus. It’s not difficult for travellers to minimise their environmental footprint while in Ireland. Click here for more information on travelling sustainably.
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Dublin
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HISTORY
ORIENTATION
INFORMATION
DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
SIGHTS
ACTIVITIES
WALKING TOUR
DUBLIN FOR CHILDREN
TOURS
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
SLEEPING
EATING
DRINKING
ENTERTAINMENT
SHOPPING
GETTING THERE & AWAY
GETTING AROUND
AROUND DUBLIN
DALKEY
HOWTH
MALAHIDE
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Form is temporary, but class is permanent: the good times may have gone, but Dublin still knows