Lessons from Sweden: What lessons can we learn from a Swedish town situated 20km south of the Arctic Circle on the border with Finland?
Lots, according to Torbjorn Lahti, a former project planner for the eco-municipality of Overtornea who will speak about how communities in Sweden have made dramatic changes towards sustainability in a lecture on Wednesday at 8pm in Cultivate, West Essex St, Dublin. For instance, in Overtornea there is free public transport (resulting in a 700 per cent increase in use) and all government operations run 100 per cent free of fossil fuels. The remote town with a population of 6,000 has also inspired 60 other Swedish municipalities to adopt sustainable principles. Lahti will also speak at the Rethinking the City conference on Thursday from 9am-5.30pm. A green builders' conference is on Friday, 9am-5.30pm. All events are part of this year's first Convergence Festival which runs until Sunday, April 24th. See www. sustainable.ie/convergence/7 or 01-6746415
Bluebell survey results: The Clare Bluebell Survey which was carried out last spring is a positive example of how by drawing attention to a particular plant or animal, people will appreciate it more and therefore work towards its protection. The results of the survey - which was collated from about 300 voluntary recordings - will be launched tomorrow at 3pm at the Vandeleur walled gardens near Kilrush, Co Clare. A map illustrating where bluebells can be found in the county will be available to the public. The launch will be followed by a guided walk around the bluebell woods in the garden, led by naturalist and author, Gordon D'Arcy. The Clare Bluebell survey was co-ordinated by Elaine Keegan, the biodiversity officer in Clare County Council.
Celebrating Earth: Earth Day will be celebrated around the world on Friday with various demonstrations and calls for better protection of our natural environment. In Ireland, the GM-free Ireland network is marking the day with the simultaneous declaration of GMO-free zones in farms, hotels, restaurants and pubs throughout the country (see www.gmfreeireland.org). Earth Day will also be celebrated from 6.30pm onwards on Friday in Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin. The event will include dancing and declarations of commitment to improving the environment. Finally, members of Voice of the Irish Concern for the Environment will be on the Hill of Tara on Friday at 1pm to declare respect for the Earth in poetry. All welcome to join and recite a poem. Contact 01-6425741
Young Georgians of Ireland: Young Irish Georgians (you've got to be under 40!) are taking a tour of Wexford next Saturday, accompanied by artist, author and architectural historian Peter Pearson. The group will visit the Brown Clayton monument, the restoration of which was assisted by the IGS. Also, on the itinery are visits to Mayglass farmhouse, a rare survivor of early vernacular 18th-Century houses and Johnstown Castle and ornamental gardens. Booking for this trip, which costs €35/€25 on info@igs.ie