According to the Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA), the top environmental concern facing Ireland is climate change for the fourth consecutive years.
The agency published itsYear in ReviewToday (Monday, February 28th): Along with the results of an EPA/Red C poll gauging public attitudes toward the environment.
The survey’s key findings
- For the fourth year running, Ireland’s most pressing environmental concern is still climate change
- 86% of adults in Ireland agree that the environment is a valuable asset.
- Four out of five adults believed that exercise and mental health were directly related to the environment.
- 73% of adults claim that they have made personal changes to improve the environment.
The EPA published research detailing how changes in the climate are reflected within Ireland’s atmosphere, oceans, landscape, and atmosphere during 2021.
The EPA found that Covid-19 restrictions had only a slight effect on Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions when analysing its data.
This highlights the need to take massive action to reduce emissions by 51% by 2030, according a report from the agency.
The first report of the EPAs Climate Change in Ireland Mind project found that the public is very aware of climate change and are well-informed about its implications. They also see the opportunities for innovation, jobs and wellbeing in climate action.
Laura Burke, Director General of the EPA, commented upon the report.
One lesson learned from the past two-years is that science communicated well can inform policy, perception and behaviour, even when there are many challenges.
“There is the opportunity now to build the foundation for a green recovery to protect and restore Irelands environment. The EPA supports actions at every level – government, business, and individual to be informed by science, which is targeted and focussed on changing our current unsustainable consumption and production patterns.”
According to the director general, the EPA’s essential work was not diminished during the pandemic.
“As an environmental regulator, we adapted to circumstances, responding to complaints, incidents and emergencies, carrying out site inspections and engaging with licensees in a risk-based and proportionate manner.
The EPA took high-profile facility expansions in the pharmachem (food and drink), information technology and power sectors in 2021.
EPA in 2021
The Circular Economy Programme, which will assist citizens, businesses, and the government to reduce waste, prevent it from happening, was launched by the EPA. It is estimated that the EPA spent almost 2 million on 2021 to drive the national circular economy.
The agency has expanded its air quality network in 2021. This provides information that can be used to advise public health. The radiation-monitoring network provides alerts in the event that radioactivity reaches Ireland through atmospheric.
In 2021, analysis of water quality in rivers and lakes, groundwaters and estuaries continued. It was found that high nutrient levels were a result of agriculture and that waste water discharges were the main threats.
The agency stated that although public water supplies are still of high quality, delays in providing public-water improvements continue to pose a threat to water quality as well as public health.
Similar to the above, the pace at which essential improvements in wastewater treatment are made is too slow for all systems to be up-to-standard.
The environmental problems Ireland faces can only be addressed if citizens and stakeholders are engaged and empowered,” the director general said.
“We place a high value and sense of urgency on this engagement to foster a greater understanding, a genuine sense of ownership and hope for the future. The survey results showed that 73% have made positive changes or taken steps in the right direction to improve the environment.