A huge percentage of Irish children can identify fewer than 10 species of Irish animals and plants but can recognise thousands of commercial logos, a conference heard yesterday.
Dr Matthew Jebb, taxonomist at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin, told a climate and biodiversity symposium at Cultivate in Dublin's Temple Bar that he suspected the same was true of Irish adults.
"We need a huge education programme here to explain to our people how important biodiversity is to all of us," he told the symposium called to mark International Biodiversity Day.
He said Ireland was totally unprepared for the loss of diversity which would take place with climate change.
Some 30 to 50 per cent of our land species would be wiped out if there was a rise of between two and three degrees centigrade. "The problem is that we do not have our house in order, and seem to be unable to make the link between the dramatic changes which will come about in our lives when climate change begins to impact."
Many scientists, environmentalists and members of the public took part in the symposium, including Colman Ó Criordain, of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Billy Flynn, of the Irish Wildlife Trust, and Anja Murray, of An Taisce.
International Biodiversity Day was marked by many events around the country, including a tree-planting ceremony in Merrion Square, Dublin, by the Department of the Environment.
The department has launched a programme to encourage people to plant native Irish trees because of their many benefit.
"Trees produce oxygen, absorb CO2, protect soil, prevent flooding, store and recycle nutrients and provide a vital raw material," said Dr Marian Coll, ecologist with Notice Nature.
"In Ireland it is better to plant native Irish trees such as oak, ash and birch because they support more native plants, birds, animals and insects than an exotic tree."
The department has also joined with environmental organisations to organise events for this, the first ever National Biodiversity Week, such as bat walks, nature walks and public lectures.
For details visit www.noticenature.ie