Noteworthy

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Completed

WITH GREAT POWER: Why is a Wexford power plant causing concern?

South East

An independent report alleges there was a ‘major issue’ with water quality monitoring near the Great Island Power Station operated by SSE.

1 Backer raised €500 of €500

Completed

OVER THE HILL: Can overgrazing on Ireland’s vulnerable habitats be stopped?

Ireland

Intensive grazing and overgrazing is impacting almost 40% of all EU protected habitats in Ireland and is by far the most prevalent agricultural pressure in these areas.

32 Backers raised €1660 of €1660

Open

WASH IT DOWN: Is Ireland’s pharma industry waste helping the spread of superbugs?

Ireland

Superbugs - microbes resistant to most drugs - are "one of the biggest threats to global health", according to the WHO. But how are they developing this resistance?

1 Backer raised €20 of €3430

Open

EMPTY THE TANK: Are our septic tanks being managed correctly?

Ireland

There are nearly half a million septic tank systems in operation that can contaminate water sources with harmful bacteria, viruses and excess nutrients if not built and maintained properly.

8 Backers raised €135 of €1840

Open

UP IN SMOKE: What role does domestic wood burning play in Ireland’s air pollution problems?

Ireland

Each year, 1,300 people die prematurely due to air pollution from solid fuel burning, including wood. The practice has come under the spotlight for its role in poor air quality in our towns and villages.

9 Backers raised €265 of €2340

Open

WASTE NOT: Are our supermarkets doing enough to reduce food waste?

Ireland

In Ireland, over 1 million tonnes of food is estimated to be wasted annually, costing Irish households, businesses and the planet, with food waste estimated to be responsible for 10% of global emissions.

6 Backers raised €145 of €1410

Completed

FACTORY FARM: Are we prioritising profits over animal welfare and human health?

Ireland

The traditional image of the small Irish family farm is slowly slipping away with many farms growing more industrialised in response to ambitious production targets set by the State.

87 Backers raised €2730 of €2720

Open

FOUL PLAY: Why does dog faeces continue to litter our streets and parks?

Ireland

The problem of dog fouling in Dublin grew so bad that local authorities launched a hotline in 2013 to report cases in a bid to get people to clean up after their animals.

9 Backers raised €180 of €1510

Open

PITCH IMPERFECT: Are astroturf pitches bad for our green spaces?

Ireland

Concerns have been raised internationally over the potential environmental impacts from small microplastic fibres used as infill on artificial sports pitches - with estimates of between 60 and 120 tonnes of the material required for one pitch alone.

8 Backers raised €170 of €2170

Completed

TROUBLED WATERS: Are salmon fish farms harming our marine ecosystem?

Ireland

The fish farming industry is in a phase of rapid growth; it overtook global beef production in 2012.

43 Backers raised €2400 of €2400

Completed

ENDANGERED SPECIES: Can Ireland halt the decline of its precious biodiversity?

Ireland

Ireland’s biodiversity is under threat. According to a 2019 report, 85% of our EU protected habitats are in an “unfavourable” condition and 46% are showing ongoing decline.

59 Backers raised €1800 of €1800

Open

RED FLAG: Is swimming off Ireland's coast under threat from pollution?

Ireland

While almost 80% of our bathing water was classed as excellent in 2021, a wave of swimming bans have hit beaches across the country in recent years due to water quality issues linked to pollution problems and our changing climate.

44 Backers raised €1005 of €2600

Funded

EXOTIC WASTELAND: Where do soft plastics in our recycling bin end up?

Ireland

Soft plastics can now be placed in Irish recycling bins following a change in policy in September 2021. But how much of this actually ends up being recycled on our island?

54 Backers raised €1180 of €1180

Completed

SEPTIC SWIM: Is enough being done to keep Dublin Bay safe for swimmers this summer?

Dublin

Effluent leaks have resulted in pollution incidents along the eastern coastline at least twice so far this year - and bathing restrictions were put in place at popular Dublin beaches.

2 Backers raised €400 of €400