Environment - News & Events | Trinity College Dublin

Wells and Wellbeing – new book links the water science and traditions behind Irish holy wells

Dr Bruce Misstear, Fellow Emeritus in Trinity’s School of Engineering, recently launched a new book – Wells and Wellbeing, The Hydrogeology of Irish Holy Wells.

21 Dec 2023

Culture|Environment|Science

Darndale urban forest collaboration led by Trinity and Dublin City Council

The Dublin suburb of Darndale has today become the location of a new innovative ‘urban forest’ as part of an EU funded city tree-planting initiative. It has joined Milan, Barcelona and the Romanian city of Brasov as one of four forests being planted in the ‘UForest’ project.

1 Dec 2023

Community|Environment

Why the Fed should treat climate change’s $150B economic toll like other national crises it’s helped fight

Climate disasters are now costing the United States US$150 billion per year, and the economic harm is rising. Trinity's Prof. Martin Sokol co-authored this piece for The Conversation.

30 Nov 2023

Environment|Research|Society

Bees are still being harmed despite tightened pesticide regulations

A new study has confirmed that pesticides, commonly used in farmland, significantly harm bumblebees – Ireland’s most important wild pollinators. In a huge study spanning 106 sites across eight European countries, researchers have shown that despite tightened pesticide regulations, far more needs to be done.

29 Nov 2023

Environment|Research|Science|Sustainability

Trinity tree of the month - the Himalayan Dogwood

November’s tree of the month is the Cornus capitata, or Himalayan Dogwood located in the Provost’s garden. It is just over 11 m tall with a short trunk about one metre in girth. Currently the tree is estimated to store 333 kg of carbon.

29 Nov 2023

Environment|Sustainability

Trinity students and staff attend COP28

The 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is taking place for the next two weeks in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This year, Trinity has gained observer status which means representatives access seminars, panels and networking opportunities, but not the negotiations.

29 Nov 2023

Environment|Society|Sustainability

Trinity to headquarter Climate+ Co-Centre

The new €41.3 million research centre will be the home of research, innovation, and policy development across the interlinked challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and water degradation on the islands of Ireland and Britain.

28 Nov 2023

Awards and Funding|Environment|Research|Science|Sustainability

Trinity welcomes Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf

Mr Yousaf greeted the special Scottish gathering with a "Dia dhaoibh" and went on to talk about how vital the friendship was between Scotland and Ireland, noting that 23,000 Irish citizens live in Scotland.

27 Nov 2023

Community|Environment|Society

Fewer staff, students are walking and cycling, survey finds

The numbers walking fell to 20% from a high of 28% in 2018, while the cycling rate was sharply down (-59%) from 2011.

20 Nov 2023

Community|Environment|Students

Plants might be able to absorb more CO2 from human activities than previously expected

This research paints an uncharacteristically upbeat picture for the planet, but despite the headline finding, the environmental scientists behind the work say it does not mean the world’s governments can take their foot off the brake in their obligations to reduce carbon emissions as fast as possible.

17 Nov 2023

Environment|Research|Science

Accounting for nature a priority for Ireland’s prosperity – new report

The team behind a pioneering project for nature, INCASE, has issued a series of recommendations to value, restore and protect Ireland’s resources through applying a natural capital accounting framework as a national priority.

15 Nov 2023

Environment|Research|Science

Why a surprise discovery, warming seas and the demise of the ‘Meg’ may spell trouble for sharks

Some unexpected shark strandings and subsequent surprises following autopsies have, ironically, taken marine biologists millions of years back in time as they look to the future with concern.

8 Nov 2023

Environment|Research|Science

Trinity joins pilot international sustainability education programme

The cohort of institutions will work closely with their students throughout the year to engage with the framework of good practice, effecting changes to teaching and learning at the top-down, middle-out and bottom-up levels.

2 Nov 2023

Culture|Environment|Students|Sustainability

New project chases net-zero renewable energy systems for the Atlantic Area

Researchers from Trinity are leading a €3.2 million project (HY4RES) that will see them develop hybrid renewable energy systems for the green transition of the Atlantic area of Europe.

19 Oct 2023

Awards and Funding|Environment|Research|Science|Sustainability

Trees of the month – Santry Sports Grounds

We are doing something slightly different in honour of Climate and Biodiversity Action week by featuring not just one tree, but an entire woodland area filled with native and naturalised trees at Trinity’s Santry Sports Grounds. Here you will find Oak, Horse Chesnut and Pine trees along with more exotic species such as Sweet Chesnut, Ginkgo and Redwoods.

18 Oct 2023

Environment|Sustainability

Trinity students to represent Ireland at Enactus World Cup

Students from Trinity College Dublin will soon be jetting off to Utrecht to represent Ireland at the Enactus World Cup

3 Oct 2023

Business|Environment|Students

Five Fellows to develop Trinity’s programme of Education for Sustainable Development

Trinity has announced a new strategic initiative to embed Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) throughout the curriculum. Five members of academic staff from across all three faculties have been seconded to work with Trinity’s Centre for Academic Practice (Trinity Teaching & Learning) and Trinity Sustainability.

2 Oct 2023

Environment|Research|Sustainability

Trinity's trees - featuring the Southern Magnolia

This month we are bringing you Magnolia grandiflora, commonly known as the Southern Magnolia. It is located just behind the 1937 Reading Room in the Provost’s Garden. This is a mature specimen of M. grandiflora and measures 16 m in height with a girth of 1.2 m, but they can grow to 35 m in height.

28 Sep 2023

Environment|Sustainability

High-end geospatial technology company ai mapit spins out of Trinity

ai mapit, a spinout company from the SFI ADAPT Centre at Trinity, has launched into the global geographic information systems (GIS) market with a revolutionary geotagging solution that promises to enhance productivity, reduce operational costs and carbon footprint by minimising the number of site visits.

26 Sep 2023

Business|Environment|Innovation|Research

Embody your own avatar, channel your inner medieval scribe, and sign up for botany bootcamp at the START Festival

From medieval scribes to virtual avatars and 16th century brewing to contemporary birth stories, the rich and varied world of academic research will be celebrated at the START Festival at Trinity College Dublin on Friday 29th September.

25 Sep 2023

Trinity scientists secure prestigious Royal Society University Research Fellowships

Ecologist Dr Richard Nair and immunologist Dr Craig McEntee have secured the awards, funded in Ireland by Science Foundation Ireland, are given to outstanding scientists in the early stages of their research careers who have the potential to become leaders in their field.

22 Sep 2023

Awards and Funding|Environment|Health|Research|Science

Range of pesticides, including neonicotinoids, found in pollen of different bee species

New research paints a worrying picture for the different species of bees that provide multi-million-euro pollination services in Ireland each year.

19 Sep 2023

Environment|Research|Science

Researchers join National Challenge Fund to help Ireland prepare for green transition and digital transformation

Six researchers from Trinity – who make up four teams – are among those taking part in the latest round of the National Challenge Fund. While pursuing different projects, they share the goal of helping Ireland prepare for its green transition and digital transformation.

11 Sep 2023

Awards and Funding|Environment|Research|Sustainability

New project will improve EU hydropower sustainability with potential to save €1 billion per year

Researchers from Trinity will lead a €4.1 million Horizon Europe project to develop digital solutions that improve the efficiency, flexibility and sustainability of the existing EU hydropower fleet. The project will make a huge impact on energy sustainability in the EU, where 50% of the current hydro fleet may require upgrading by 2030.

7 Sep 2023

Environment|Innovation|Research|Sustainability

Trinity Tree of the Month – the Banana tree

This month we are featuring the Banana tree, or Musa acuminata, which is one of our unique indoor trees located in the O Reilly atrium. This plant can grow to seven metres tall and has leaves that are up to four metres long. These plants absorb a large amount of carbon to produce leaves and fruit, but quickly release it once fruited and die back occurs. Musa acuminata originated in Southern Asia and some reports suggest the plant has been in cultivation for close to 7000 years.

24 Aug 2023

Environment|Science|Sustainability

Tangent and Green Tech HQ launch climate accelerator for construction sector

This programme is open to innovators and entrepreneurs with new solutions in low carbon and green design, circular materials, energy and maintenance systems

11 Aug 2023

Business|Environment

Trinity tree of the month- the Kentucky Coffee Tree

This month we are featuring the Gymnocladus dioicus, commonly known as the Kentucky Coffee Tree, which was planted in 2020 on the boardwalk side of College Park. It is currently 5.6 metres tall, 25 cm in girth, and can grow to almost five times its current size. When mature it will store up to 1200 kg of carbon.

1 Aug 2023

Community|Environment|Sustainability

Shark shock – scientists discover filter-feeding basking sharks are warm-bodied like great whites

Approximately 99.9% of fish and shark species are “cold-blooded”, meaning their body tissues generally match the temperature of the water they swim in – but researchers have just discovered the mighty basking shark is a one-in-a-thousand exception.

20 Jul 2023

Environment|Research|Science

Hubs offering electric cars, e-bikes and e-cargo bikes to test potential of shared e-mobility to decarbonise transport

Researchers from Trinity, together with collaborators from the Atlantic Technological University (ATU), ESB and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, will lead a €1.35 million shared electric mobility project.

19 Jul 2023

Awards and Funding|Environment|Research

Green Tech Skillnet provides 30% discount on selected Trinity green courses

Trinity is pleased to announce that Green Tech Skillnet, an organisation dedicated to fostering skills and expertise in the field of green technology, will provide a 30% discount for learners pursuing several of Trinity's green diplomas and micro-credential courses.

7 Jul 2023

Awards and Funding|Environment|Students|Sustainability