A network of GIY groups around the country will be a significant way of empowering communities. Even if it does cause me to neglect my own garden, this is a part of the important work which needs to be done to make us a self reliant and resiliant country where healthy diets will reduce obesity related sickness which is wasting 4 billion euro a year and causing otherwise avoidable stress and grief for many.
Category Archives: Sustainability
Trevor Sargent talks about 'Grow It Yourself'
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Bantry CSA Oat harvest and threshing
You can watch videos and see photos of the Bantry CSA Oat harvest and threshing on their website…
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Can We Feed Ourselves? « Food Culture West Cork
An excellent article from Ivan McCutcheon:
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400 fruit Trees Project in Kilkenny
Info from the group:
Kilkenny’s 400 Fruit Tree project will mark the 400th Anniversary of the Signing of the City Charter by planting 400 native and heritage varieties of Apple, Pear, Plum and Cherry throughout the city and environs during 2009.
It shows what Transition Towns is all about: That is, community groups coming together with Local Authority, Schools and Businesses to implement a practical project that reduces carbon in the face of climate change, builds resilience in the face of peak oil and, as an added bonus, strengthens community and is fun to do!
400 Fruit Trees Project, Kilkenny from Future Proof Kilkenny on Vimeo.
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Renewable electricity for Ireland
Using pumped storage power stations for Ireland’s wind resources looks like a really good idea. The Spirit of Ireland website has the details.
According to them, all we need is about 2,500 3MW (covering about 1% of land area) wind turbines and 2 large pumped storage hydro systems to cover all Ireland’s current electricity requirements. Not bad if you ask me! I hope they get the momentum to inspire the government into doing something.
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Why Is Biodiversity Important? Who Cares? — Global Issues
An excellent article from Anup Shah on his Global Issues website about why Biodiversity is so important:
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An Economics Addition to ‘The Transition Handbook’ » Transition Culture
“Money needs growth and growth needs energy”
A good primer on the economics of sustainability: An Economics Addition to ‘The Transition Handbook’ » Transition Culture.
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An Interview with cheesemaker Bill Hogan by Ivan McCutcheon
Bill Hogan is one of Ireland’s most celebrated cheese makers. He and Sean Ferry started West Cork Natural Cheese in Schull in the mid 80s and produce two large hard cheeses in the Swiss style using summer milk – Gabriel and Desmond.
Read the full interview: We Should Talk « Food Culture West Cork.
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Folke Günther on ecological design,thermodynamics of living systems,ecological engineering, nutrient recycling and oil depletion
For anyone interested in sustainability Folke Gunther has a great site:
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Ballydehob Local Food Day
Last weekend we went along to Ballydehob local food day.
Ballydehob Local Food Day Poster
There were some great talks – including one on the Bantry Community Supported Agriculture Project, an inspiring talk from Peter Ward, information on bees and a workshop on how to garden without hurting your back.
Making apple juice
There were also displays of local apples (picture of apple juicer to the right) and lots of delicious food stalls.
Madeline of Brown Envelope seeds has a good write-up and wonders if An tIonad Glas might get involved in some research to test the effectivemeness of Alaska Giant compost tea. Watch this space and we’ll see what we can do with our student projects next year!