Environment

It’s spring cleaning time!

Calling all people in County Wexford to sign up to the largest anti-litter initiative in the country – National Spring Clean 2022. Register now, receive a free clean-up kit, and make a tangible impact on our environment. National Spring Clean is operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce in partnership with Local Authorities and supported by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Mars Wrigley Ireland. The National Spring Clean traditionally takes part in the month of April. For the past 23 years, 85,000 clean-ups have been organised with volunteers dedicating a total of 12 million hours to remove around 42,000 tonnes of litter across the country. National Spring Clean 2021 was the biggest and the longest campaign so far, taking place between March and August, and despite the current situation and restrictions at the start of the year, 5,543 groups registered to carry out clean-ups throughout the country and collected an estimated 3,000 tonnes of litter around Ireland.

In 2021, 2,500 Wexford volunteers participated in organised clean-ups to show their support to the National Spring Clean. The National Spring Clean is also an opportunity for volunteers to take local actions to make a change at a global scale. As a matter of fact, over the last couple of years, the National Spring Clean has also been trying to raise awareness about another crucial issue: the link between litter and climate change – the biggest environmental challenge of our time –and highlight how combined local actions can have a global effect. Our consumption patterns and how we dispose and treat our waste has a substantial impact on the levels of emissions of several greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change. Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, said: “An Taisce’s National Spring Clean is a real testament to the work of volunteers all over the country. These volunteers continue to organise local clean-ups every year. The past two years have proven difficult because of the necessary Covid restrictions, but this year represents a real opportunity for people to get together and help clean up our countryside. I would urge people to get involved and I would like to acknowledge the key role played by An Taisce in overseeing the campaign. My Department will continue to provide support to the campaign and I look forward to the many events that will be held countrywide.” National Spring Clean Chairperson, Michael John O’Mahony, commented: “We have all been through some unprecedented times over the last two years. We all became more aware than ever before of our local areas. Participants continued to undertake great work for National Spring Clean in family bubbles or as individuals during these times. However, we can now look forward to working together again as larger groups and communities and celebrate the success together.” The National Spring Clean programme is inviting people to visit the website at www.nationalspringclean.org to request a free clean-up kit. While waiting for the National Spring Clean to officially kick off, the programme is also inviting communities around Ireland to join other initiatives. For example, volunteers are invited to take part in the #2minutestreetclean campaign. Furthermore, to celebrate Women’s Day, the National Spring Clean programme will be sharing on social media stories of women who have made a positive impact on our environment and is calling on people in County Wexford to share their own stories about women volunteers. n

Enniscorthy’s first filtered water refill station opens!

Eco-Kind – Enniscorthy’s eco-friendly shop at Duffry Hill, now has Enniscorthy's first free filtered water refill station, thanks to Refill Ireland and their commitment to providing plastic-free water options for communities.

So spread the word, and bring along and refill your reusable water bottles, and while there check out the huge range of eco-friendly products available in-store and cut down on all your packaging waste. n

Ireland’s leaky pipes

Irish Water has invested over €500 million between 2017 and the end of 2021 to reduce leakage and replace old pipes on the public water network. Fixing leaks can be slow and complicated but progress is being made. In 2018 the rate of leakage nationally was 46%, by the end of 2021 it was reduced to 38%.

Irish Water’s customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also make contact on Twitter @IWCare. For updates, visit the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website or set your location on its website www.water.ie n

Reserve a radon monitor at your library

Radon monitors are now available for all Wexford library members in the county to borrow. The monitors can be borrowed for a four-week period, and come with instruction leaflets.

To reserve a monitor at Enniscorthy Library, ring 053 9236055. n

Time is running out for your stuff!

All your stuff and activities have an environmental story. The Story of Your Stuff competition for secondary students is open for applications but the closing date is fast approaching –Monday, 7 March 2022. Pick an everyday object or activity, consider the impact it has on the environment, and get creative in telling its story. The competition brings together curiosity, creativity and science, and aims to get young people thinking about sustainability, climate action and environmental protection, and to spread the word among their friends and family. Prizes include €500 for the winning student and €500 for the school.

https://www.thestoryofyourstuff.ie/ n

We can all do better than this!

The Slaney News photographer captured the accompanying image while on a visit to Rosslare Strand on 9th February – the photo shows the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of how we, in Co. Wexford, dispose of our pets’ poo. The Good: The full bin indicates that many people are indeed cleaning up after their dog. The Bad: Wexford County Council might want to look into how this bin was allowed to exceed its capacity without being emptied. The Ugly: Dog owners throwing their waste bags on top of an already full bin, instead of bringing their bags home with them, and these bags then falling onto the surrounding area. Wexford County Council and the county’s dog owners can all do better than this! n

Invitation to Wexford students

Second-level schools in Wexford are invited to take innovative action in response to the climate emergency through a new Climate Action and Energy Award, in association with Young Social Innovators and EirGrid. Currently, 43% of the electricity that we use in Ireland each year comes from renewable sources. The Government’s Climate Action Plan has set the target of achieving up to 80% renewables by 2030 and net zero by 2050. EirGrid, the national electricity grid operator, has launched a partnership with non-profit organisation, Young Social Innovators (YSI). The collaboration will see EirGrid become the new Climate Action and Energy partner with YSI for a threeyear period. Young Social Innovators empowers and supports young people to develop and implement innovative ideas to bring about positive social change for the benefit of people, communities and the environment. Over the past 20 years, some 145,000 teenagers have taken part in YSI’s social innovation programmes in post primary schools nationally. EirGrid will become YSI’s Challenge Partner under its Environment Pillar. Along with this, a ‘Climate Action and Energy’ award will be created for current participants in the Young Social Innovators of the Year Ireland Awards 2022.

Speaking about the partnership, EirGrid’s Head of Public Engagement, Sinead Dooley said, “EirGrid is transforming the power system for future generations, and with that in mind we believe it is incredibly important to listen to and involve young people who are the driving force behind climate action efforts.

“At EirGrid we engage for better outcomes for all and we recognise the value of creating a dialogue with the wider society. Going forward EirGrid intends to engage a broad range of stakeholders in in-depth, meaningful discussions about the future and the role of the grid. With this partnership we hope to learn a lot from young people across the island of Ireland and that we are challenged and inspired by their innovative ideas,” added Dooley. Commenting on the partnership, Rachel Collier, Co-founder and CEO, Young Social Innovators said, “We are delighted to announce this exciting new partnership with EirGrid, focused on what is undoubtedly the biggest challenge facing us globally. How we can live and consume more sustainably is a key question and one that young people can contribute to. This new award, in partnership with EirGrid, will recognise young people’s efforts to innovate around climate action and energy and will empower and engage them in being a vital part of the solutions needed.” Schools can register their interest in getting involved now by emailing educate@youngsocialinnovators.ie To find out how EirGrid is delivering a cleaner energy future visit www.eirgrid.ie or to get more information about the important work YSI do, visit www.youngsocialinnovators.ie n

Pictured are Sinead Dooley, EirGrid Head of Public Engagement, Rachel Collier, CEO Young Social Innovators, with St Mary’s Holy Faith, Dublin, TY students, Amy Ward and Mia Jervis at the launch of EirGrid’s partnership with Young Social Innovators. Pic: Shane O'Neill, Coalesce.

The return of the Delightful Dollies

Enniscorthy’s Delightful Dollies met up for the first time, since the Pandemic, on 2nd March, in Bellefield GAA Complex.

Above left: Phyllis Healy and Sally Murphy. Above right: Jackie Larkin, Tracey Cowman and Bridget Major. Opposite: Miriam Morrissey and Kathleen Rossiter. Below left: Breda Kirwan and Evelyn Walsh. Below right: Kathleen Murphy, Catherine Rossiter and Theresa O’Connor. Bottom left: Mary Vardy, Mary Leacy and Joan Peale. Bottom right: Kathleen Cahill, Ceceline Fortune and Sally Murphy.

Enniscorthy St Patrick’s Day Parade Route

(see full details on page 18)