Biodiversity event highlighted crisis and paths to recovery

On last night's Zoom event from top left: Dr Elizabeth Cullen, plastic waste, host Cliona Kelliher, and hand-pollinating in China.

A future that is more locally based and the need for a new economic system for the world were the key messages in a Zoom presentation made last evening by Kilcullen's Dr Elizabeth Cullen, writes Brian Byrne.

Hosted by Kilcullen Community 4 Climate Action, the Biodiversity and Health event highlighted how the lifestyles of the 'privileged' in the developed world are using up the resources of the planet at an 'alarming' rate of 1.5 times its ability to sustain human kind, and in the process accelerating the extinction of many other species.

The event was a local contribution for World Environment Day and the presentation was followed by a discussion among those attending.

Outlining briefly how biodiversity is humankind's 'life support system', which provides us with our food, air, water and medicines, Dr Cullen noted that there are over 15,000 species of plants and animals in Ireland alone, not to mention the very many micro-organisms that are part of the eco-system. Many are endangered, and many others have become extinct.

While only 10pc of species have been assessed, one in five of those are threatened with extinction, which Dr Cullen described as a 'shocking' situation. "It's very sad to note that two thirds of all our bird species are headed for extinction," she told those on the Zoom call. "Over a quarter of Irish birds are now on the 'Red List'."

Examples among these are the Corncrake, Snipe, and Puffin, as well as the Curlew and the Corn Bunting ... that last is officially extinct in Ireland with the last recorded sighting in 2006.

Habitat loss is one of the major contributions to the situation. In the Irish context, according to the National Biodiversity Database and the EPA, this has been caused by changed agricultural practices, peat extraction, over-fishing, drainage and infrastructural developments.

The 'silent' loss of traditional Irish hay meadows, wetlands, and sand dunes are local factors, while at global level the over-use of pesticides has had a major impact on pollinating insects. Dr Cullen cited as an example that in China, pollination by hand has had to be introduced to apple and pear orchards because wild bees have been eradicated by pesticides.

Closer to home, she noted there's research-based evidence of adverse impacts from toxic chemicals on wildlife in the Shannon and Liffey.

Pollution from plastics in Ireland is exemplified by the fact that in packaging alone some 80,000 tonnes are used every year. At the other end of the scale, micro-plastics from plastics and synthetic clothing have become so pervasive that they are being absorbed by plankton in the oceans and concentrated back up through the food chain into human consumption.

Climate change is the other big issue, which will occur more rapidly than species can adapt, Dr Cullen said, adding that the way to counteract all this is through individuals making choices, cumulatively amounting to billions of times a day.

Among these choices are a concentration on reusing and recycling, growing food for ourselves, wearing clothing made from natural fibres, leaving parts of gardens free for wildlife, and getting involved in organisations aimed at preserving and revitalising the environment.

The whole emphasis on consumption needs to be addressed, Dr Cullen said, adding that advertising is a major influence. "There should be a limit on the amount of advertising we are being exposed to."

At national level, she said biodiversity plans need to be put on a legal footing, with Biodiversity Officers in each local authority, and more detailed labelling of products to show 'miles travelled', 'sprays used' and 'micro-plastic potential'.

"We need a new system of measuring progress. We need to look at the word 'enough' ... so much of our economic talk is about growing and bigger and better ... Dr Anne Ryan of Maynooth has written that 'Enough puts us back in touch with the part of us that understands beauty and scale'."

Thanking Elizabeth Cullen for her presentation, event host Cliona Kelliher said it highlighted how we are continuing behaviours that are continuing to do damage. "It gives a lot to think about ... the stark facts about what we are losing. The idea of what we can do as individuals is a pretty powerful one ... the global news about climate change can make us feel a bit helpless, but the little choices that we make personally can make a big difference."

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