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 Summer 2010 Editorial by Judy Osborne

So all the chickens are coming home to roost, much as anticipated by An Taisce and other campaigners in the environmental sector. The economy is heading towards a precipice yet still key government position papers such as the draft Regional Planning Guidelines propose objectives that merely try to improve the existing pattern of development in small ways. There seems to be denial of the dire straits we find ourselves in.

Credible information tells us that many resources in are increasingly short supply, not only money but water, energy, food and many other mineral resources vital to the current development model. We really shouldn’t waste a good crisis and An Taisce would join calls for action to change driven by innovation and creativity which would place ecological economic principles more firmly at the heart of policy.

The main theme of this edition of the magazine is thinking globally and acting locally. The local theme is focused around food security with an important article by Andy Wilson who has established a reputation as a serious thinker on these matters. There are ancillary pieces by a range of activists who have specialised in aspects of the subject. There are articles from our respected Heritage Officer, Ian Lumley, describing just what has been happening around the country in respect of shopping and reports of projects run by An Taisce to empower local communities to make effective submissions to their local development plans that map out the direction for the future pattern & quality of life in their neighbourhoods.

Finally, I couldn’t resist an opportunity for an article that presented itself when I was offered a collection of books all on a common theme but with differing interpretations of post apocalyptic society. Gloomy as this may seem most books were a really good read and contained ideas quite relevant to present circumstances but what was most inpsiring was the notion that different futures are possible! It is this belief that keeps campaigners going when the going gets tough.

An Taisce has been building expertise and advocating sustainable development for generations, through the good times and the bad times, and we can see the clear way ahead to a future that treasures the riches of Ireland. Do join us in this journey.  

Download the Spring 2010 edition here ...

Spring 2009 Editorial by Judy Osborne

Following the theme of the last magazine (summer 2008) which focused on the failure of an unregulated economic system and the lack of environmental consideration, this magazine focuses entirely on energy and how its supply and demand impacts on every aspect of An Taisce’s work.

A number of articles feature the experience of our heritage officer regarding proper planning and development, a dispersed spatial pattern and unsustainable transport policies. In the area of the natural environment we see the impact of wind farms in bogland and the need to consider environmental assessment to ensure there are no unintended consequences. An Taisce’s Property Department have been walking the talk and ensuring our own property develops good energy conservation and a number of pieces from the education Unit illustrate the success of our projects in bringing our message to people through schools and the wider community.

If, as a nation, we don’t get energy policy right – if we don’t bring environmental awareness into every aspect of economic and social planning we will not emerge from the current shakeout in a fit state to enjoy any quality of life in the 21st century. It is this understanding that An Taisce, as part of the Irish Environmental Network, hope to bring to a renewed Social Partnership…and it is to support others who share this view that we have recently appointed a Local Association Officer Abby McSherry, who will be visiting every area of the country offering professional support and training to members. But more of this and all the Local Association news in the upcoming Annual report that comes with the AGM in June.

Summer 2007 Editorial by Judy Osborne

Whichever government is now in power, and whoever is now Minister for the Environment, we can be sure that the next decade will be quite different from the last. The pace of development has been frantic.  The housing and commercial stock has doubled and unfortunately little of it is appropriate for the 21st century with inevitable global warming and high energy and resource costs.  Leisure facilities have also multiplied. Hotels, Spas and golf courses have sought to take advantage of new found wealth and the beautiful settings provided by the Irish landscape – and ofcourse all requiring enormous supplies of sand, stone and cement. These are the issues covered in this magazine, together with interesting contributions on these topics from experts in Northern Ireland.

Spring 2007 Editorial by Judy Osborne

Finally another magazine is ready. (sorry for the delay!) I notice that there is nothing much in this edition apparently about global warming whilst all around the national press are, at last, full of it. Yet in fact all of An Taisce’s work is about climate change and sustainable devlopment too. The planning issues involved in the building of new roads and uncontrolled urban sprawl, cleary outlined in Ian Lumley’s notes on pages 20 — 24. are closely related to issues ofglobal warming. Sprawling communities are extremely wasteful of limited resources and this pattern of development has led to Ireland being the most car dependent society, which will surely become a major issue as we struggle to cut emissions.
 
Another main feature in this edition is the importance of biodiversity. Why does it matter? What are we doing about it in Ireland and what are we doing about it in An Taisce? Hopefully the contributions in the magazine will help to link the global and local aspects for you.
 
Finally I would like to draw to your attention the book reviews - particularly the sequence around the theme of Rural Ireland and the Environmental Movement. Here is a description of half a dozen these that pick up on different areas. What I pick up from them all is a need to do better! Hopefully An Taisce will continue to rise to the challenge

Down load the Spring 2007 edition here ...

Summer 2006 Editorial by Judy Osborne

As I put this magazine together I was constantly aware of the main premise in the book ‘Collapse’ that I had recently read. Studies of ancient societies that no longer flourish show a number of common characteristics – the depletion of natural resources including forests, environmental damage, climate change and, in particular, the ways in which people chose to respond. The author, Jared Diamond, seeks to show how some communities overcame their problems by long term planning and a willingness to reconsider core values.Diamond “looks for examples to inspire first world citizens to make the most fundamental reappraisal now facing us –how much of our traditional consumer values and first world living standards can we afford to retain?”

Writing this as I do, just after the death of John Galbraith the economist, I am also reminded of his thesis in Affluent Society published nearly 50 years ago wherein he comments on the difference between consumerism which was driven by demand for decent living standards, and the later consumerism driven by producers’ interest in the supply of goods that we are then persuaded to need! This is surely relevant in the debate on nuclear energy and declining resources.

Diamond also writes of the valuable part played by bottom-up solutions in the survival of societies.  Readers may recognise this as a reflection of our current calls for better public participation in Ireland and issues arising from the Structural Infrastructure Bill. All these matters reoccur time and time again. Hopefully this magazine will contribute to informing readers of the current incarnation of the debates.

I hardly need say that we have a new designer for this issue. Pablo Lloréns, a young Spanish artist, living here for a couple of years, has put this magazine together for us. Cóilín MacLochlainn, who resurrected the An Taisce magazine in 2002 and co-edited and designed for several years, is now busy with other projects although I am glad to say that he has still been contributing to this issue. You will also notice that there is less members’ news in this issue. The extended annual report contains the detail of what An Taisce has been up to over the past year. You will have to join to receive a copy of this!

Download the Summer 2006 edition here ...