Eco Eye

Water protection from small polluting sources, Food Production and Waste, Environmental state of Forests today (6x7)

Date de diffusion: Fév 13, 2008

Item 1 (Big Picture strand) -- "Water protection from small polluting sources" 30% of our rivers in Ireland are below an "acceptable" environmental standard. What are the pressures on these rivers? Who contributes to this pollution? How much is the clean up of these rivers costing the tax payer? We'll look at some of the small polluters in Ireland today. We'll also suggest some best practice solutions to keeping our waterways clean. Item 2 (Big Picture strand) -- "Food Production and Waste" In an epoch where 50% of our meals our consumed outside of the home, what are the environmental costs of food production and waste in Ireland? If we waste over 30% of our food and this is broken down to form toxic gasses such as methane, how can we act more responsibly? In this item, we will suggest best practice for food waste and production, empowering householders to make informed choices. Item 3 (Heritage protection and Natural Environment strand) -- "Environmental state of Forests today" The National Forest Inventory unearths the composition of our forests in terms of tree species and Biodiversity sampling. Despite its minute stature, the unassuming Bark Beetle has left a trail of devastation across much of Canada and Europe. In this item, we examine the importance of our National Forest Inventory and how Ireland's forestry service controls dangerous invasive species like the Bark Beetle.