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environment

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Introduced to New Zealand by European settlers in the 19th century to remind themselves of home, hedgehogs found themselves in a paradise free of natural predators and bursting with ground-nesting birds, wētā (insects), lizards and invertebrates. They adapted well... too well</p>

outdoors

A pest or a prince — is it all down to postcodes?

The conservation–invasion paradox is when a species is endangered where it evolved but causes havoc where humans introduced it. So why can't we just bring unwanted animals to where they're wanted?

<p>The most contaminated food is breakfast cereal, according to a study by Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN), with average concentrations 100 times higher than in tap water. File photo: Alamy/PA</p>

news

High levels of 'forever chemical' found in cereal products across Europe, study finds

<p>An inter-agency report into the Blackwater fish kill published in September concluded that there was no evidence of a systemic disease in the dead fish. File photo: IFI/Facebook</p>

munster

Oireachtas committee calls for tougher penalties after major Blackwater fish kill in Cork

Heavily congested Cork town has no working air pollution monitor

munster

Heavily congested Cork town has no working air pollution monitor

FILE PHOTO The High Court has seen four cases brought against the State from women sent to give birth in Mother and Baby homes.

court and crime

Cork residents get go-ahead for High Court challenge over drinking water concerns

Approved for Construction

news

Non-appointment of 18 judges 'barrier' to planning system functioning properly

Climate COP30

Fossil fuel lobbyists outnumber all Cop30 delegations except Brazil, report says

It brings the total number of fossil fuel lobbyists given access to the UN climate summits to 7,000 over the past five years, according to Kick Big Polluters Out

Fri, 14 Nov, 2025

Ringaskiddy incinerator is the wrong project, in the wrong place, for the wrong future

Ringaskiddy incinerator is the wrong project, in the wrong place, for the wrong future

I would encourage anyone interested in the rejection of the plan for an incinerator in Cork Harbour to make a submission to An Coimisiún Pleanála before the deadline of Monday, November 17, writes Labour Party senator from Cork, Laura Harmon

Fri, 14 Nov, 2025

a willow casket - contemporary style

Michelle McKeown: The greenest ways to go when you go

When it comes to carbon footprints, the old-fashioned burial isn’t exactly green. Traditional burials involve embalming chemicals (usually formaldehyde) and hardwood coffins — but there are more eco-friendly options now available

Sat, 08 Nov, 2025

Winter weather Jan 26th 2025

Taoiseach to tell world leaders at Cop30 Storm Éowyn showed 'climate change is a reality'

Micheál Martin will draw on the record-breaking Storm Éowyn from early January in his speech, which brought sustained hurricane-force winds of 142km per hour.

Thu, 06 Nov, 2025

Solar panels. Power station. Blue solar panels. Alternative source of electricity. Solar farm. The source of ecological renewabl

John Gibbons: Saying nuclear power is better for the environment than solar is ludicrous

The idea that intensive dairy farming is some kind of pastoral idyll with no impact on the environment has been allowed to take hold to the point that serious people are now suggesting nuclear reactors instead of solar

Wed, 05 Nov, 2025

Irish Examiner view: Security at Ipas centres needs review

Irish Examiner view: Security at Ipas centres needs review

To terrorise innocent people in this way is almost beyond comprehension and there is little by way of consolation in the fact that the forces of law will inevitably catch up with the person responsible

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

Who are CHASE and why are they holding public meetings this month?

Who are CHASE and why are they holding public meetings this month?

Nearly 25 years ago waste management comapany Indaver applied for planning permission a hazardous and non-hazardous waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy, County Cork. This was refused permission by Cork County Council and then appealed to An Bórd Pleanála. There was considerable opposition including from environmental campaign group Chase. Oral hearings and court proceedings ensued and permission was eventually refused. This application has now been reactivated. We put some questions to CHASE...

Mon, 03 Nov, 2025

Cork water: EPA's approval of Uisce Éireann action plan challenged in High Court

Cork water: EPA's approval of Uisce Éireann action plan challenged in High Court

Residents are being 'misled' that clear water is safe, and manganese levels are above safety limits, according to the legal challenge

Sun, 02 Nov, 2025

Kerry councillors condemn approval for commercial salmon farm to continue, despite serious breaches

Kerry councillors condemn approval for commercial salmon farm to continue, despite serious breaches

The licence was revoked in 2019 when it was found to have harvested twice the allowed tonnes of salmon in 2016

Fri, 31 Oct, 2025

Flat Lay of Shattered Pumpkins After the Exciting Pumpkin Drop Event

Ireland’s frightening Halloween habit is a curse that can be broken by sustainable choices

Nature’s décor is unbeatable: fallen leaves, pinecones, bare branches, and candlelight (ideally in a glass jar rather than a plastic skull). They’re biodegradable, beautiful, and cost nothing

Wed, 29 Oct, 2025

‘Change course now’: humanity has missed 1.5C climate target, says UN head

‘Change course now’: humanity has missed 1.5C climate target, says UN head

‘Devastating consequences’ now inevitable but emissions cuts still vital, says António Guterres in sole interview before Cop30

Tue, 28 Oct, 2025

Empty chair at wedding ceremony

Something borrowed, something green: How I found a sustainable wedding dress

Weddings can generate significant waste. Studies estimate an average Irish wedding produces 10–20 kilograms of plastic from decorations, catering, and more, though this varies by event size and style

Sat, 25 Oct, 2025

Call for end to 'light touch' enforcement in wake of country's biggest ever fish kill

Call for end to 'light touch' enforcement in wake of country's biggest ever fish kill

Salmon Watch Ireland believes the EPA, the IFI, and the Marine Institute were overwhelmed by the scale of the fish kill on the Blackwater River in Cork

Thu, 23 Oct, 2025

Prosecutions fall despite rise in enforcement actions against environmental breaches in 2024

Prosecutions fall despite rise in enforcement actions against environmental breaches in 2024

The EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement director, Dr Tom Ryan, said: 'This report shows that most local authorities are responding to the challenge, but some are lagging behind and need to do better.'

Thu, 23 Oct, 2025

Draining sewage from pipe into river, pollution rivers and ecology.

Mick Clifford: Our rivers are not the only places to have been polluted under the IFI

It seems there has been a complete disregard for the protection of rivers and lakes under Inland Fisheries Ireland, writes Mick Clifford

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

I am almost done!

Rake expectations: should we be picking up leaves at all?

Leaves aren't litter — they’re the forest’s own recycling system, a slow-release nutrient pack designed to feed soil life and shelter small creatures through the colder months. When they decompose, they release essential nutrients, improve soil structure, and even help lock away a little carbon

Fri, 17 Oct, 2025

Skims’ Ultimate Bush Knickers: The fashion trend no one asked for

Skims’ Ultimate Bush Knickers: The fashion trend no one asked for

Let’s consider the obvious: women have been wearing underwear for centuries — briefs, boyshorts, high-cuts, thongs, you name it. The idea that we now need an undergarment featuring fake pubic hair feels like a satirical sketch from 'Saturday Night Live', not a serious offering from a billion-dollar brand, writes Pat Kane, founder of Reuzi

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

Plug-in hybrids pollute almost as much as petrol cars, report finds

Plug-in hybrids pollute almost as much as petrol cars, report finds

Analysis of 800,000 European cars found real-world pollution from plug-in hybrids nearly five times greater than lab tests

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

Bitumen spillage forced Cork City water treatment plant to close for 12 hours during summer

Bitumen spillage forced Cork City water treatment plant to close for 12 hours during summer

The facility provides drinking water to a population of almost 144,000 in Cork City and the wider Cork Harbour area

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

A large number of different human footprints in the sand, background

Rethinking carbon footprints

By focusing public attention on individual choices, your commute, your cup of coffee, your weekend city break, the 'carbon footprint' campaign diverted scrutiny from the systemic scale of fossil fuel extraction and combustion

Fri, 10 Oct, 2025

Revealed: Europe losing 600 football pitches of nature and crop land a day

Revealed: Europe losing 600 football pitches of nature and crop land a day

Investigation shows extent of green land lost across UK and mainland Europe to development from 2018 to 2023

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Inadequate State response to fish kill resulted in lack of evidence, committee hears

Inadequate State response to fish kill resulted in lack of evidence, committee hears

The Oireachtas committee on climate, environment, and energy heard from a series of witnesses

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

Petrol costs

Households pay more than half of €5.5bn in environmental taxes collected last year

Each year, the rate of carbon tax rises by €7.50 per tonne, aiming to reach €100 per tonne by 2030

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

Image of modern fireplace, woodburning stove, coal buckets, log basket

Indoor wood burners cause damage 'in a similar way to cigarette smoke'

Study links the growing popularity of domestic wood burning to lung damage

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

Irish Examiner view: We need monitoring tech in the wake of Blackwater fish kill disaster

Irish Examiner view: We need monitoring tech in the wake of Blackwater fish kill disaster

EPA and Inland Fisheries Ireland should heed Cork County Council's proposal on water quality monitoring

Mon, 29 Sep, 2025

Blackwater fish kill: Angling clubs 'appalled' at report's failure to find culprit

Blackwater fish kill: Angling clubs 'appalled' at report's failure to find culprit

Multi-agency taskforce's failure to identify the cause of the State’s biggest fish kill described as 'shocking and unacceptable'

Fri, 26 Sep, 2025

Book review: Greed and duplicity pollutes our politics and environment

Book review: Greed and duplicity pollutes our politics and environment

The Irish farm and food lobby enjoys an incredible, anti-democratic influence, that has had a disastrous and escalating impact on our countryside, our waterways, and our mountains

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

Autumn weather Nov 18th 2021

Global water cycle is more erratic and harder to predict, UN scientists warn

Last year was the sixth in a row to show an erratic cycle and the third where all glacier regions reported ice loss

Thu, 18 Sep, 2025

Asian Hornet: 24 verified sightings of invasive species which can 'wreak havoc'

Asian Hornet: 24 verified sightings of invasive species which can 'wreak havoc'

Two nests have been discovered in Cork

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

Second Asian hornet nest removed in Cork as NPWS rules out breeding risk

Second Asian hornet nest removed in Cork as NPWS rules out breeding risk

NPWS rangers removed two Asian hornet nests in Cork, saying no queens survived, preventing the invasive species from breeding

Tue, 09 Sep, 2025

Council calls for reopening of hatchery to combat Cork fish kill

Council calls for reopening of hatchery to combat Cork fish kill

Search is still on to identify cause of death of an estimated 50,000 fish

Tue, 09 Sep, 2025

Shocking indifference to catastrophic Blackwater pollution is a sign of the times

Shocking indifference to catastrophic Blackwater pollution is a sign of the times

The Blackwater fish kill is part ecological disaster, part culture war, part climate change confrontation and, worst of all, a gross denial of responsibility

Fri, 05 Sep, 2025

Blackwater disaster: EPA finds no link between discharges and fish kill

Blackwater disaster: EPA finds no link between discharges and fish kill

Environmental Protection Agency has not identified a causal link between discharges and the disastrous fish kill in the Blackwater and Clyda rivers

Wed, 03 Sep, 2025

Mating Ned Devine? The New Zealand snail turned global celebrity

Mating Ned Devine? The New Zealand snail turned global celebrity

"Most snail shells spiral clockwise, but Ned’s curves the other way — an unusual genetic quirk found in roughly one in around 40,000 snails."

Mon, 01 Sep, 2025

Woman listening music with her mobile phone in first snow

Local radio stations ask young listeners to help them record sounds of nature in Ireland

16 local radio stations will consult with schools and youth groups on the collaboration with climate scientists at Harvard and Copenhagen universities

Sun, 31 Aug, 2025

Asian Giant Hornet - Vespa Mandarinia

Small but deadly: Asian hornets that have arrived in Ireland can pack a powerful punch

Less than an inch long, the invasive species of predatory wasps — a nest of them was discovered in Cork recently — can be deadly to humans and honeybees alike

Fri, 29 Aug, 2025

Asian hornet from Catalonia - portrait

Search ongoing in Cork for further nests of Asian hornets

Wildlife experts continue to scour the undisclosed location where a nest of the potentially deadly invasive wasp was found

Fri, 29 Aug, 2025

Driver Delivering Online Grocery Order

Donal Hickey: Food waste is a big problem for our pockets and for the planet

When food is wasted, all the resources used in bringing food to our tables are wasted too. Reducing your food waste is a key action you can take to help the environment and save money too

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

Michael Moynihan: Robot trees try to clear the air as they say goodbye in exit interview

S Michael Moynihan: Robot trees try to clear the air as they say goodbye in exit interview

Michael Moynihan sits down with the robot trees for a root and branch review of their time in Cork

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

Watch: Chemical spill suspected to be cause of Cork's River Blackwater fish kill disaster

Watch: Chemical spill suspected to be cause of Cork's River Blackwater fish kill disaster

Test results are due this week to establish the cause of pollution that killed an estimated 50,000 fish in the Munster Blackwater

Tue, 26 Aug, 2025

Irish Examiner view: A new battle begins in the United States

Irish Examiner view: A new battle begins in the United States

Battle lines are being drawn as Donald Trump's administration seeks to tighten its authoritarian grip on the US by sending national guard troops into Washington DC

Tue, 26 Aug, 2025

Improvement in litter levels at Cork's Blackrock Castle but Dingle slips down ranking

Improvement in litter levels at Cork's Blackrock Castle but Dingle slips down ranking

Aome 50% of beaches and waterways surveyed had improved their litter status to 'clean', the annual survey of coasts and inland waterways by business group Irish Business Against Litter found

Mon, 25 Aug, 2025

Sunny background, blue sky with white clouds and bright sun

'Urgent action' needed to protect workers from heat stress in warming world, UN says

Worker productivity drops by 2% to 3% for every degree above 20C, the report said

Fri, 22 Aug, 2025

River Blackwater disaster: 'I have seen fish infections before but nothing like this'

River Blackwater disaster: 'I have seen fish infections before but nothing like this'

Anglers describe heartbreak, fear and frustration as a mass fish kill devastates the River Blackwater and threatens its future

Wed, 20 Aug, 2025