ESRI-UCC-MaREI Climate Action Conference

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On May 17 2019, MaREI in association with ESRI held a Climate Action Conference.

The presentations can be found online HERE

 

 

The conference showcased the findings from a number of collaborative research projects between UCC and the ESRI, undertaken within MaREI, the SFI Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy.

Funded by Science Foundation Ireland and a number of industry partners and Governmental Departments the presentations focused on a number of key short, medium and long-term topics that will inform Ireland’s forthcoming All of Government Plan on Climate Action.

IBEC release major new report outlining a vision for 2050 that would see Ireland have a smart, low carbon economy

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You can download the report and brochure HERE

Climate change is the single greatest challenge faced by humankind today. Global temperatures are increasing, our environment is changing, and human-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are responsible. Ireland must take decisive action to decouple emissions from population and economic growth and transition to a competitive low carbon economy.

For Irish business, such a transition presents a unique opportunity to build a better Ireland. If we focus on smart, cost-effective and evidence-based policies, we can use the transition to enhance our energy security, boost competitiveness, improve quality of life and create thousands of sustainable jobs across the country.

Ibec’s vision is for Ireland to achieve a competitive low carbon economy in 2050 by pursuing a well-planned roadmap for businesses and citizens.

We also wish to thank Professor Brian Ó Gallachóir and Dr Fionn Rogan from the SFI MaREI Centre’s Energy Policy and Modelling Group in University College Cork. Brian and Fionn gave their time to facilitate a series of dynamic workshops with Ibec members covering a range of topics relating to the low carbon transition. They also provided expert analysis and advice throughout the development of the report.

You can download the report and brochure HERE

New Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre Gets Government Boost

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MaREI is delighted that the Blue Economy Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) application led by the University of Tasmania (Hobart, Australia) has been successful. This $329 million research partnership is a 10-year collaboration between 45 national and international partners from industry, research and government, underpinned by a $70 million cash investment from the Federal Government, $78 million cash investment and $181 million in-kind investment from participants.

 

Key points:

The Blue Economy CRC includes broad industry participation across all the Centres 3 core sectors of offshore engineering, aquaculture and marine renewable energy with MaREI’s in-kind contribution being focussed on expert advice on marine governance, offshore renewable, co-location of marine platforms and aquaculture.

 

These core sectors are underpinned by five integrated research programmes with funding spread across these areas:

  • Offshore Engineering & Technology ($68m),
  • Seafood and Marine Products ($65.9m),
  • Offshore Renewable Energy Systems ($66m),
  • Environment and Ecosystems ($65.9m), and
  • Sustainable Offshore Developments ($62.8m).

 

MaREI, in addition to the Australian industry, government and research partners, will be joining partners from New Zealand, Chile, China, Singapore, Norway, Ireland, Belgium, France, Spain and the UK in order to deliver the ambitious research programmes.

 

Guy Barnett, MP Minister for Primary Industries and Water, on behalf of the Tasmanian Government personally thanked MaREI for our support, and for participating in and contributing to the successful submission.

MaREI’s Professor Frederic Dias inducted into Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters

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Dias, an applied mathematician at University College Dublin (UCD) and a global leader in fluid dynamics research, has been elected a foreign member of the prestigious Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters

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St Columbas Girls National School Win ‘Best Overall Project’ in the Port of Cork Schools Initiative 2019

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Port of Cork Chairman, Mr. John Mullins congratulated St Columbas Girls National School for being awarded ‘Best Overall Project’ in the Port of Cork Schools Initiative 2019. Scoil Barra Naofa, Monkstown were given special recognition for their outstanding level of research and content used in their project.

The Port of Cork have been running their primary schools initiative for 13 years now and 2019 was the first year that Port of Cork teamed up with MaREI, the UCC research Centre for marine and renewable energy based in Ringaskiddy, to deliver this educational initiative around marine litter.

St Columbas Girls National School’s ‘Plastic Monster’

Themed ‘Maintaining a Healthy Harbour’ the initiative educated school children on marine litter and the detrimental effects it can have on our oceans, harbour and shorelines. Over twenty schools took part and with the help of MaREI, classes were encouraged to collect and use marine litter and recycled items to create a 3D art project that makes people stop and think.

John Mullins said: ‘All the schools that participated in this year’s initiative can feel proud of their efforts as the projects submitted were incredibly visual and would certainly make people stop and think about the effects of marine litter.’

He told the children they are our future and said: ‘It is the younger generation, like yourselves that will make the difference and you are an inspiration for us all.’

The Port of Cork were joined by Aoife Deane from MaREI and Susan Vickers from Clean Coasts who both judged the projects.

Researchers estimate that over 10 million tonnes of litter ends up in the world’s oceans each year and 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals (seals, whales, dolphins) die every year because of marine litter through entanglement or ingestion. There is a growing public awareness of the issue, and with almost half of all marine litter being made up of just 10 types of single-use plastic items, we can take steps to tackle the problem.

Port of Cork Chairman John Mullins reminded all participating classes that as well as receiving a certificate of participation, every class will be treated to a high speed, fun filled boat trip around Cork Harbour, compliments of the Port of Cork. As an extra special prize, best overall winners St Columbas Girls National School will go on board a cruise liner in May for a tour of the ship.

All school projects are currently on display at the Cobh Maritime Building, located on the platform at Cobh Railway Station until the end of May.

As part of Cork Harbour Festival and Seafest the projects will be on display to the public in Custom House, Cork City from 1st – 9th June 2019