Free Sustainability Seminars

galway | environment | event notice Sunday May 21, 2006 13:28 by Caoimhín Ó Maolallaigh - Green Party sustainability at selfbuild dot ie

Selfbuild Ireland in conjunction with Galway Energy Agency is organising a series of Sustainability Seminars on the first two days of their show at Galway Racecourse, 26 - 28 May 2006.

Following an official opening by Cllr. Niall Ó Brolcháin of the Green Party on Friday afternoon, a series of 25 minute seminars on Sustainability will run throughout Saturday afternoon.

Setting the scene on Friday afternoon will be The Galway Energy Agency with "Individual Responsibility for Kyoto". Immediately followed by Richard Douthwaite, economist and writer, who paints a bleak picture of the future for the world if it stays on it's present course but a bright one if it adapts quickly and wholeheartedly.

At long last the government are offering a 'carrot' instead of a 'stick' in the form of grants for renewable energy. Sustainable Energy Ireland will provide details and an update on when and how these are available.

We still need the 'stick' and the Energy Performance and Building Directive comes into force this year with energy labels for houses. This will become known as 'Building Energy Rating', details are provided by Pat Stephens of Clare / Limerick Energy Agency.

Passive Housing is 'energy neutral' and where the structure is in perfect equilibrium with its occupants requiring no extra heating. Described by Lars Petterson of Scandinavian Homes Ltd.

If you haven't quite got a passive house you can still heat it economically and sustainably with 'Wood Pellet Heating Systems' a seminar by Seamas Hoyne of Tipperary Energy Agency and 'Geothermal Heating - Designing for an Optimum Performance', a seminar by Dunstar Ltd.

The Seminar programme starts at 2pm on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 May 2006. The Show runs from 26-28 May at Galway Racecourse, Ballybrit, Fri 12noon to 8pm, Sat & Sun 11am to 6pm.

Check out the downloadable programme in pdf format on the website for further details and times.