This article is from page 8 of the 2006-05-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
CLARE County Council this week became the first local authority in the country to produce a local biodiversity action plan.
The Clare Biodiversity Group officially launched the “Clare Biodiversity Action Plan”, and a document entitled “Recording the Wildlife of County Clare”, in Ennis on Thursday.
The group consists of representatives from a variety of organisations, both Governmental and non-governmental, as well as individuals with an interest or expertise in biodiversity in the county.
Members include Clare County Council, the Irish Seed Savers Association, Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the IFA, and the Forest Service.
All local authorities are required to develop a local biodiversity strategy, under the Government’s National Biodiversity Plan 2002. Biodiversity includes everything from microscopic insects to the largest whale, from tiny algae to huge ancient trees.
“Clare is ahead of the posse in producing the country’s first local biodiversity action plan. None of this would have been possible without the support of Clare County Council and the work of the Clare Biodiversity Group, which is a voluntary group. Clare are currently leading the way, however, to keep the work going, funding is required,” said Dr Simon Berrow, Chairperson, Clare Biodiversity Group.
The production of a local biodiversity action plan is one of the many natural heritage objectives in the County Clare Heritage Plan 2003-2007.
Clare County Council was one of the first counties to appoint a heritage officer and one of the first counties to produce a Heritage Plan.
According to Congella McGuire, the Heritage Officer, “the Clare Biodiversity Action Plan process would not have been possible without funding from the Heritage Council, LEADER and Clare County Council, and the dedicated members of the Clare Biodiversity Group who volunteer their time and expertise.”
Speaking at the study launch, Bridget Carlin, member of Clare Biodiversity Group said, “Farmers have a very important role to play and are a very valuable source of information.
“If we can support and encourage farmers to get involved, most of them know what plants and animals are on their land and how best to maintain habitats on their land.” CLARE householders are facing a bill of more than €22 million within the next six years if carbon dioxide levels in the county continue to grow at the current rate.
Clare energy emissions are currently above the Kyoto target by 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, according to the Limerick Clare Energy Agency.
By 2010, Clare could be 490,000 tonnes over the limit and face a bill of more than €22 million in carbon levies.
The levy cost will be felt by the bill payer from 2012 when it will be added to the end of household bills. The LCEA hope that the levy will encourage people to turn to carbonless and more environmentally friendly fuel.
To avoid the carbon bill in 2012, every individual must reduce the CO2 produced by 4.8 tonnes per annum, the organisation claims.
At an energy solution conference at the weekend, Dr Ed Walsh, formerly of the University of Limerick, championed the use of nuclear energy as a CO2 free energy for the region.
“The facts are quite unambiguous. Nuclear reactors do not emit carbon gasses and so do not contribute to global warming. Compared to other means of energy production, nuclear power is safe. Death statistics reveal that energy production by hydroelectric and coal are the most dangerous, gas is safer, but nuclear is the safest of all,” he told the conference organised by the energy agency.
Pat Stephens from the Limerick Clare Energy Agency said that Clare could significantly reduce its carbon bill by as much as €16 million in 2010.
“There are other forms of energy out there particularly in Clare,” he told The Clare People.