The Environmental Gathering: State of our Environment Air Quality - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Environmental Gathering: State of our Environment

Air Quality

Air Quality • 2017: levels of Nitrogen Dioxide breached in Dungiven • 2017: Derry breached limit for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) • 2016: Derry Brandywell breached limit for Benso(a)pyrene PAHs linked to heart disease and cancers of skin, lung, bladder, liver and stomach

Land Quality • 90% of protected Habitats damaged by Ammonia • Only 0.18% of land sites under favourable management • Only 4.48% of marine sites under favourable management

Mobuoy

The Banks of the Foyle

Water Quality • In 2018, 69% of rivers and 76% of lakes failed the Water Framework Directive water quality standards (p420 • 60% of marine waterbodies failed WFD water quality standards in 2018 (p54 • 78% of Northern Ireland’s Shellfish water protected areas failed WFD standards for E.coli in 2018 (p54)

Strule  93% (25 out of 27) of rivers failed Water Framework Directive standards in 2018.  Phosphates (SRP) increased in 9 rivers  48% (12 out of 25) rivers had Multiple Element Failure in 2018

Owenkillew  43% (6 out of 14) of rivers failed WFD standards in 2018  Phosphates in 8 rivers increased in 2018  2 rivers had Multiple Element Failure in 2018  Diazinon, an organophosphate insecticide used to control insects in crops and parasites in livestock, was detected in 2 rivers. Diazinon was banned in the US after it was linked to the mass killing of birds. It is highly toxic to aquatic organisms and may harm other wildlife.

Pollution: River Faughan

Climate Breakdown

Extreme weather events

Priorities • Support a UN Aarhus Centre in Derry • Support Climate Actions & Targets that address the current failings in our Environment • Strive for high standards in environmental assessment of development plans and projects. • Support a Public Awareness Campaign on the State of Our Environment , including cross-border co-operation with Donegal County Council.