Highland Radio are delighted to partner with Coimisiún na Meán in launching a new series dealing with various topics on sustainability.
Donna-Marie Doherty of Highland Radio will have a weekly feature on Tuesdays at 12:30 covering a real mix of different topics and interviews with businesses and experts who have a common interest on expertise in sustainability.
Coimisiún na Meán stated; ‘”Ours to Protect”, is a unique and exciting audio project – a collaboration of local and regional broadcasters from across the country who have come together to tackle climate change, champion climate action, and inform and educate audiences all over Ireland about how they can make a difference.’
This week Donna-Marie talked to Iarla Moran from Uisce Eireann and Geraldine Walsh from Donegal Seaweed:
Tip Sheet:
Did you know?
- Buncrana is one of 17 Think Before Your Flush communities in Ireland!
- Ragging – this is when unflushable items are flushed and cause blockage and damage to pumps > https://www.water.ie/help/blockages/think-before-you-flush/
- The ‘Dirty Dozen’ are the top 12 most flushed items that cause damage:
- Dental floss can collect in filters during the treatment process and break machinery > https://www.water.ie/help/blockages/think-before-you-flush/
- Unused medication can destroy bacteria, contaminate groundwater and impact wildlife > https://www.water.ie/help/blockages/think-before-you-flush/
- Agriculture in Ireland is specifically linked with marked increases in water pollution from nutrients (nitrates and phosphates), elevated pesticide levels, declining aquatic biodiversity, physical damage to water bodies, and widespread unregulated wetland drainage. (SWAN)
Why is it so important?
- Uisce Eirean manages around 10,000 blockages a year, many of them preventable.
- Flushed items can turn into Marine Litter and wash up on beaches. Here is a great explainer video which can be used for adults and children alike > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuNlFGJAhcI
- The Irish Independent report in May of this year that 40% of water sources in Ireland were overloaded with fertilizer residue > https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/high-levels-of-sewage-and-fertiliser-residue-foundin-40pc-of-irish-lakes-and-rivers/a1517935894.html
Learn more:
- Find out more about Donegal Seaweed HERE.
- Find the Think Before your Flush Website HERE.
- Get involved with the Inishowens Rivers Trust to help our local rivers.
Listen back to past episodes
Ours to Protect Survey
Ecological Footprint Calculator
