“There’s a real fear in the conservation community that biodiversity is being forgotten in the new global political emphasis on climate change; and that the broader goal of sustainability is being missed in the rush to find alternative energy sources without necessarily looking at their broader environmental cost.” Ehsan Masood

Ehsan Masood, this time wearing his ecological hat examined several initiatives designed to raise the profile of biodiversity among people and policymakers that seek to emphasise the links with climate change. Ehsan is the co-author, with Daniel Schaffer, of ‘Dry, Life without Water’, a collection of stories of how communities in the developing world use knowledge (modern and traditional) in order to survive and occasionally prosper in very dry conditions. A short presentation was given by Ehsan which was followed by a public interview with Karen Coleman, foreign editor of Newstalk 106. Dr Matthew Jebb of the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin introduced the session.

For information on future events contact Cultivate Centre for Sustainable Living 01 674 6396 / 674 5773

What can we do about Global Warming?

Dr David Reay, University of Edinburgh, is the author of ‘Climate Change Begins at Home’. He studies greenhouse gas emissions in environments ranging from the Southern Ocean to evil-smelling drainage ditches. He has worked on climate change for more than a decade, has made films with David Attenborough and is currently writing a new children’s book on the topic. He lives in a house well above sea level with his wife Sarah, two daughters and Florence, the labrador. He has said “Global warming is a huge threat to us, our children, and to future generations, but we can do something about it.” David gave a thought provoking talk on what we can do about it on Thursday 8th March in the RDS Concert Hall.

The RDS and British Council Ireland also launched a fantastic Climate Change for Schools Competition (open to all students aged 10-14 years) at the lecture. Well known science broadcaster, and current Chair of Discover Science & Engineering, Leo Enright hosted the event.

For further information contact RDS 01 2407289 or email science@rds.ie