David Schumacher, et al: “The New Fire” | Talks at Google

For many of us, 2020 was a year postponed. While we were focused on coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, we lost ground on other critical issues, including plastic pollution and climate change. It may have gone unnoticed, but the waste management and recycling value chain in South and Southeast Asia has ground to a halt while the use of single-use and virgin plastics has soared. The situation is untenable for the long run and the environmental impact is sobering. As we inch closer to the promise of mass vaccination and kick off 2021 in the Year of the Ox, it is time to adjust our perspective: these crises present incredible prospects for economic recovery and growth, and are not just environmental issues for the dinner table.

Customers will be able to browse second-hand furniture at dedicated ‘circular hubs’ at Ikea stores and on Gumtree, according to store

Sustainable tourism is the way forward for the village of Carlingford, according to Senator John McGahon.  Speaking recently in the Seanad on a debate on tourism Senator John McGahon emphasised the importance of sustainable tourism.  “Tourism that fully takes account of economic, social and environmental impacts is so important”, he said.  “Sustainable tourism should ultimately be committed to having a low impact on local culture and the environment but should be looking to generate future employment for local people.”