Schoolchildren set for global warming research

PRIMARY pupils are learning about the effects of global warming by going out and taking a closer look at the birds and the trees.

In an effort to find out the level of climate change in Ireland, schools around the country will be providing data on when certain types of trees begin to bud and their first sighting of the swallow as it returns from migration.

The information gathered from the GreenWave project over a number of years will act as nature’s clock and will illustrate whether climate change is causing flowers to bloom even earlier and how Irish wildlife is affected.

The data will be plotted on the GreenWave website where visitors will be able to view the findings and track nature’s progress over time.

The plan is to find out whether the arrival of spring moves from south to north across Ireland or inland from the coast. While spring normally arrives earliest in Europe in southerly regions which are generally warmer, the experiment aims to establish if being an island makes any difference to this trend.

The answers should be provided as the information comes in about when buds appear on flowers and when swallows start returning from Africa after winter.

Peter Brabazon, programme director at Discover Science & Engineering which organises the Green Wave project, said taking part is a practical way for primary pupils to develop skills like studying and recording, as well as the ability to recognise patterns.

“In the process, they will learn about global warming and see how plants and animals react to warming and lengthening days,” he said.

Eanna Ní Lamhna, known for her work on the Mooney Goes Wild radio programme and president of An Taisce, said it is an excellent scientific project for primary schools.

“Important information on the effects that climate has on selected species of Irish wildlife can be collected in this way, information vital to our understanding of the effects of climate change,” she said.

There is an added incentive for schools to join the 200 who took part last year, with prizes on offer for the best photos.

Information, including helpful guides on how to look out for the signs of spring’s arrival, are available at www.greenwave.ie.