On this edition of Enviro:

John introduced the program by relating some important happenings including the fact that :
The red squirrels of Lisnagra woods in Co. Donegal(0n the Derry Donegal border) have won out and a road which would have damaged their habitat and affected a very diverse ecosystem has been prevented due to public pressure.

UNESCO has named the uilleann pipes as an important cultural symbol of Irish heritage and a musical genre which is part of the artistic forms which of their nature enrich humanity. Enviro’s signature is Uilleann piper Davy Spillane’s ‘Rainmaker’ from his CD ‘Pipedreams In this edition of Enviro we will celebrate the UNESCO designation by playing a selection of parts of tracks of several uilleann pipers’ CDs.
Continuing on the musical theme reference was made to the fact that Johnny Hallyday the ‘god’ of Gallic rock who entranced France for 50 years was laid to rest with effectively a state funeral.

Famous actress Dame Judi Dench has quite a unique connection with trees which was explained in an article by Moira Petty in the Daily Express Saturday December 9 2017 and which will be demonstrated in new documentary ‘Judi Dench: My Passion For Trees’ which will be shown on BBC One on Wednesday December 20 at 8 pm.

Reference was made to the fact that MONSANTO AND BAYER are trying to merge: The PROPOSED merger would it was felt be ‘a merger from hell’: A new study found that 75% of the world’s honey is contaminated with bee-killing pesticides. This shows how much control pesticide companies have over our food system. And they’re trying to gain even more. Bayer the Bee-Slayer is trying to merge with Monsanto the Butterfly-Killer. Bees are dying at alarming rates. Monarch butterflies are declining. And a new study found that 80 percent of the insects in Germany have disappeared over the past three decades. Scientists say this indicates we are in the midst of an “Insect Apocalypse.” One of the key culprits is the massive increase in the use of pesticides.
These pesticides are harming our health and our food system. But they’re generating millions in profits for Bayer and Monsanto.

The main part of the program consisted of an Interview with Ian Lumley of An Taisce our studio guest. An Taisce is The National Trust for Ireland. Ian explained what happened and the significance of the Paris climate change conference, Morocco and the Bonn Climate Change conference which he attended. He pointed out what is necessary to be done now locally and globally. Temperatures are rising; weather extremes are becoming more frequent and more intense. Reference was made to the fact that Ireland has fallen far behind in the achieving of essential targets. Reference was made to the importance of the present Pope’s encyclical ‘ Laudate Si’ Reference was made to the fact that major obstacles to change are selfishness greed and apathy and to the fact that well know writer in the Guardian newspaper maintains that fishing and pesticides are a bigger problem than global warming.

Joe Dunne and John joined with Ian Lumley in discussing the issues raised. John pointed out the importance of uilleann pipers such as Tomás Ó Canaínn who he singled out. He was a native of Dungiven Derry and took over from Sean O Riada at Cork University and has published important musical books and composed a Mass entitled Colmcille’s Mass.

Program Producer/Presenter; John Haughton: Studio guest Ian Lumley: Panellists Joe Dunne
The following music was researched as fitting following the special designation of the Irish Uilleann pipes by UNESCO and excerpts were played during the program: Tomás Ó Canaínn ‘Francey’ and ‘Deirdre’s Lament’ from CD ‘Uilleann Pipes and Song’: Christy Moore-‘Easter Snow’ :CD ‘The Drones and Chanters’ ‘The Bucks of Oranmore’ ‘The Castle of Dromore’ ‘Bumper Squire Jones’ ‘An Buachaill Caol Dubh’: ’Ó Riada sa Gaiety’ ‘Planxty Johnston’: Josef Locke ‘Danny Boy’: CD ‘Lament’ ‘Táim-Se I’m Chodhladh’ and ’‘Danny Boy’ sung by Christy Moore: CD ‘the Wind and the Rain’ a CD by Finbar Furey track ‘Amadán’