This trend for lighting up gardens may seem an inviting one, but it needs to be done with care
Studies show that birds, bats and insects are among animals in the natural world affected by light pollution
Sustainability
Gas Networks Ireland weighs bid for Green Generation injection site
Move comes as EU acts on fuel fraud blamed for company’s receivership
Smelling sweet with natural deodorants made in Cork
New Innovator: When Ben Breslin of Vico Naturals couldn’t find a sustainable natural deodorant to meet his standards, he created one himself
We’ve been sold the idea that replacing instead of fixing is faster, but is it really?
Mending is better than spending, and online directory RepairMyStuff.ie is a one-stop-shop that makes it easy to find local repair businesses
Thrifted gifts: ‘If you’re worried about the environment, it’s conscience-free shopping’
Bring your gift-giving to the next level with these tips from three thrifting enthusiasts
Irish economy will stagnate unless we change our R&D tax framework for multinationals
Research and development in Ireland remains tethered to a physical presence and employment here – an approach increasingly out of step with wider global shifts
How to go green for St Patrick’s Day without the environmental toll
Consumerism has taken hold and celebrations for our national day can generate a lot of waste
How can homes be futureproofed to deal with power outages caused by extreme weather?
Will traditional heating methods return to new builds or will backup generators become commonplace?
Ireland is emerging from winter, but maybe hold off mowing your lawn for now
If you are lucky enough to have a lawn or patch of grass, mowing less is one of the best things you can do to help Ireland’s pollinators and biodiversity
Connemara National Park to expand by 250 hectares after land purchase
Minister for Heritage announces doubling of walkways in Co Galway nature attraction via partnership between parks service and Fáilte Ireland
Five ways to slash Ireland’s looming multi-billion euro climate fines
Two advisory councils outline gross failures to face up to climate realities
Q&A: Do I need planning permission for my home energy upgrades?
If the work changes the external appearance of the building or render it inconsistent with neighbouring structures it may require planning permission
From silage wrap to catwalk fodder: Meet the students turning rubbish into high fashion
The Junk Kouture World Final takes place in Dublin next week, celebrating sustainable fashion and creativity
What’s the best toothbrush if you want to be environmentally friendly?
If you’re diligent about your dental care, you will probably get through more than 300 toothbrushes in your lifetime
Why is the EU gutting landmark pieces of legislation it only passed recently?
Ursula von der Leyen is taking a scissors to EU’s ‘red tape’ perception
Waterford company walks the walk in sustainable footwear
New Innovator: Sampla produces a unisex shoe made from a mix of sustainable materials including water resistant apple-derived leather
The Irish town that’s saying no to plastic sachets
Last November, Clonakilty in west Cork set itself the goal of phasing out single-use plastic sachets before the start of this year’s tourist season
Jane Fonda: ‘I don’t feel like an old person. I’m much younger than I was when I was in my 20s’
At 87, the actor and activist has become the face of a new luxury trainers campaign
Every piece of clothing I buy is matched by a parting: one in, one out. It focuses the mind
Clothes well made by fairly paid people out of good quality fabric are not cheap, nor should they be
How often should you wash your clothes? French officials have the answer
Wash your clothes less and they will last longer, the detrimental effects of laundry practices will be reduced and you’ll save money
Jewellery might not always leave us with a clear conscience but it’s fun, and pleasure is not trivial
Sparkle is not a necessity for survival but aesthetic delight is part of what makes us human
On Valentine’s Day, say it with flowers – just don’t buy the ones with a bad backstory
Giving flowers is a lovely gesture, but the backstory of some bouquets is just plain ugly
Shifting our eating patterns away from animal products is smart for lots of reasons
A meal with less meat and dairy is better for our health, for the environment and for our pockets
Trump’s claim that diversity policies caused plane crash is part of an attack on ‘woke capitalism’
Forget ‘greenwashing’ - now the talk in the corporate world is of “greenhushing”
Reggie’s Pizzeria review: The Margherita is a study in simplicity at this ambitious new Rathmines venture
Every detail at pizzaiolo-in-chief Reggie White’s new restaurant has been carefully considered
A creative way to dispose of chipped or unwanted crockery
Waterford-based artist Sean Corcoran wants us to think differently about excess of all kinds, through the medium of unwanted mugs, jugs and plates
Diary of a retrofit: It cost €60,000 but it is worth every cent
SEAI grants helped transform this three-bed semidetached house in the Tenters in Dublin 8 from a chilly BER F rating to a cosy A3 home
New sustainability reporting rules could hurt Ireland’s reputation, law firms warn
Corporate law firms sought to influence new regulations making large companies report on their environmental impact
Renting outfits instead of buying doesn’t cost the earth
Haven’t got a thing to wear? Save money, save the planet, and look fabulous in hired occasion wear
The rise of repair cafes: ‘It’s not sustainable to keep buying new stuff’
A resurgent repair culture has a bottom-up energy, but change is also coming from the top, with the EU’s Right to Repair Directive
Chris Packham: ‘I was a very angry young man, confused because of my undiagnosed autism. It had an enormous impact on my life’
British environmentalist and BBC presenter Chris Packham on battling to save the planet, standing up to his enemies, and how his autism made him hate himself
Rewilding: A meaningful response to tackling the biodiversity crisis
The concept is an eco-centric approach which is nature-led and human-enabled
Home savings: Changing the way you boil the kettle could save you €30
After your electric shower, tumble dryer and cooker, your kettle is the most energy intensive user of electricity
Forget pandering to Independent TDs, these are the issues the new government needs to deal with
The consequences of business as usual are ever more frightening, particularly in relation to climate change
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