Noteworthy

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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?

0 Backers raised €0 of €3430

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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.

2 Backers raised €70 of €1840

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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.

5 Backers raised €165 of €2340

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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.

4 Backers raised €35 of €1410

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RADON AWARE: Is the State doing enough to protect families from this cancer-causing dangerous gas?

Ireland

Radon is a radioactive gas linked to 300 lung cancer cases each year in Ireland – the second largest cause after smoking - with one-third of the country classified as a high radon area by the EPA.

4 Backers raised €92 of €1620

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BURNOUT: Is the growth of incinerators for toxic waste in Ireland a danger to our health?

Ireland

Ireland lacks the capacity to process hazardous waste, most of which is exported abroad, with plans to increase domestic management outlined in the National Hazardous Waste Management Plan.

3 Backers raised €35 of €2190

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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.

65 Backers raised €1825 of €2720

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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.

5 Backers raised €70 of €1510

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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.

7 Backers raised €160 of €2170

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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

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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

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

Ireland

While over 90% of our bathing water is classed as excellent or good, a wave of swimming bans have hit beaches across the country due to water quality issues linked to pollution problems and our changing climate.

36 Backers raised €835 of €2600

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EXOTIC WASTELAND: Is Irish recycling waste ending up in illegal dumps abroad?

Ireland

Until recently, China was the destination of choice for Europe’s rubbish as the world’s largest reusable and packaging waste importer.

32 Backers raised €1030 of €2700

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TESTING THE WATERS: Where in Ireland has the most polluted tap water?

Ireland

Decades of under-investment, crumbling infrastructure, and leaking pipes have left Ireland’s water supply on a knife edge.

5 Backers raised €130 of €1400

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