BY tracking the long sea journey of a salmon from, say, a remote mountain stream in west Cork to distant Arctic seas, scientists can learn much about climate change.

WE’RE being told, everyday by the Government and the EU, that “green” is the way to go, not only in reducing carbon emissions, but also in job-creation.

A SPECTACULAR picture of a humpback whale raising itself out of the sea off Hook Head, in Co Wexford, made it to the front page of this newspaper last Tuesday.

IT has been said that the life cycle of trees is comparable to that of human beings.

AS well as a drop in the price of many goods, the recession has other benefits – the ravaged Irish landscape which has been the victim of a huge amount of destruction since the mid-1990’s is getting a break.

THE countless people that got new laptops, PCs, battery-operated toys, home appliances and any number of other electrical goods for Christmas have an issue – how to get rid of the old items that have been replaced.

IT’S the season for overeating and the time of year when minds are most focused on food.

NEW laws should help curb the rapid spread of non-native invasive plants and animals around Ireland – something that is causing growing anxiety among people responsible for protecting waterways, nature and the environment in general.

FEW people forget the primal thrill of landing their first fish.

IRELAND will be well represented at the UN climate change conference which gets underway in Copenhagen today, with Taoiseach Brian Cowen and representatives of various government departments due to attend, but how have we been performing on the environment in general?