Smoke from Canadian wildfires reaches Ireland from across the Atlantic
Forecasts show further smoke is set to reach Europe later this week.
Smoke initially made its way across the Mediterranean on May 18 and 19, and there were reports of smoke in Greece and the region around the eastern Mediterranean.
A second, larger plume of smoke crossed the Atlantic in the last week of May and arrived in parts of northwestern Europe, including Ireland, on Sunday, June 1.
Additional plumes of smoke are expected to reach Europe in the coming days.
'Wildfires are a frequent occurrence in boreal forests from spring and through the summer months,' CAMS senior scientist, Mark Parrington, said.
'Up to the beginning of June, our data is showing that central regions of Canada have experienced a very intense few weeks in terms of wildfire emissions.
'This data, and the fact that we are able to observe the smoke in Europe, is a reflection of the scale of the fires and impacts they have been having in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
'In CAMS we monitor events such as these in order to understand how they affect the atmosphere and air quality regionally and globally.'
CAMS forecasts show the transport of smoke is not expected to have 'a significant impact on surface air quality' as the smoke is moving at a high altitude. Typically, the effects include hazy skies and red or orange sunsets.
Air quality in Canada has been affected by smoke emitting from wildfires across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario and there was a 'significant increase' in both the number and intensity of the wildfires in Canada last month.
More than 25,000 people in the impacted areas of Canada have evacuated their homes due to the wildfires, while US states along the border with Canada have also been affected.
A state of emergency has been declared in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba for the next month.
There are also wildfires burning in parts of far eastern Russia since the beginning of April, most notably in the Republic of Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai near the borders with China and Mongolia.
CAMS said carbon emissions in Russia's Far Eastern Federal District are at the highest level for this period of time since 2018.
The wildfires in Russia have also impacted some areas further afield, with forecasts showing a transport of smoke from Russia towards northeastern China and northern Japan, impacting air quality in those regions. Other plumes of smoke have also gone as far as the Arctic.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Darina Allen: Three homegrown recipes to avoid ultra-processed foods
At last, the conversation around the impact of ultra-processed foods on the health of the nation is gathering momentum. I've written before about how we are sleepwalking into a health crisis of gargantuan proportions. It has crept up on us so rapidly and stealthily, that it has almost gone unnoticed. Ultra-processed foods now make up over half of the average diet in Ireland. To be precise, 54.9% according to research published in The Journal of Public Health Nutrition. Ireland tops the poll in 19 EU countries, contrast that percentage with 10.2% in Portugal. Ireland is now the second most obese country in Europe with more than a quarter of the adult population classified as obese. For some time now, it has been altogether easier to find what used to be called fake or junk food now called UPF's, than real food… Plus, there's huge confusion amongst the general public about what exactly constitutes UPF's, ultra-processed food. These are foods that are mass-produced in industrial systems, purposely engineered to be irresistible and hyperpalatable, cheap with a long shelf life. Foods that you couldn't make in your home kitchen with ingredients you would never find in your pantry. Packed with artificial flavourings, colourings and preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilisers, flavour enhancers… Often with a long list of ingredients, many unrecognisable to the general public. A chicken curry on the recently introduced Free School Meals menu had over 50 ingredients. Where are our priorities…? These foods are highly profitable and are aggressively marketed to both children and grown-ups. In the UK, only 2% of advertising is on real food, 98% is spent on ultra-processed food. I've no doubt it's similar over here. The reality is, our food system is built for profit not to nourish the population. New research links harmful ultra-processed foods to the alarming rise in obesity, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic and inflammatory diseases, cancers, even early death. So why, knowing what we know, is it legal to sell these foods? What will it take to reverse this trend and break free? But reverse it we must. We may think we actually have a choice in what we eat, but the reality is that an immense amount of money, thought and research goes into making these foods utterly irresistible and addictive and super cheap. UPFs have quietly taken over the food system and they are unquestionably making us sick. Is it possible that the manufacturers are unaware of this? About 10 major food corporations control 80% of the food supply on our supermarket shelves. Meal Deals, takeaways, grab, gobble and go, Deliveroo and its many incarnations have become a way of life... So, what to do? In the words of Michael Pollan, 'Eat nothing your grandmother wouldn't recognise as food,' kind of sums it up simply. Chris Van Tulleken's excellent book 'Ultra-Processed People', published by Cornerstone Press draws a direct correlation between high levels of ultra-processed food consumption and the rise in both physical and mental health issues. Should the production companies not be required to pay for the ill health they are causing? How long before the Irish government will no longer be able to fund the health service? So, what to do? Time for bold and coordinated action and a huge rethink about how to tackle the decline in national health. This will not be an easy matter, many of the major food corporations are wealthier and more powerful than governments. As the grandmother of 11 grandchildren, the UPF food situation is keeping me awake at night. We need a coalition of parents, teachers and citizens to demand action. We urgently need to reexamine our priorities — after all, what could be more important than the future health of the nation, our children and grandchildren. This is no easy task to tackle. but what could be more important, what could be more urgent? After all, the wealth of the nation depends on the health of a nation and the health of a nation depends on the food we eat…time for action! Many of the foods we take for granted are ultra-processed. Here is an alternative to the bottled tomato sauce which has become a staple for so many. Avoid the majority of breakfast cereals, with a few rare exceptions like real porridge, most are ultra-processed. Fish Fingers with Garlic Mayo recipe by:Darina Allen A perfect after-school dinner Servings 8 Preparation Time 5 mins Cooking Time 10 mins Total Time 15 mins Course Main Cuisine Irish Ingredients 8 pieces fresh haddock, hake or pollock cut into fingers 11.5 x 3cm (4 1/2 x 1 1/4 inch) approximately salt and freshly ground black pepper white flour, seasoned well with salt, freshly ground pepper and a little cayenne or smoked paprika (optional) For the egg wash: 2-3 beaten free-range, organic eggs and a little milk panko or dried white breadcrumbs To serve: crunchy little gem lettuce leaves For the garlic mayo: 225g (8oz) homemade mayonnaise 1-4 crushed garlic cloves (depending on size) Method Add the garlic to the mayonnaise and season to taste. Heat the oil in a deep fry to 180˚C/350°F. Season the fingers of fish with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Then, dip the fish, first into the well-seasoned flour and then into the beaten egg and finally coat evenly all over with the crumbs of your choice. Pat gently to firm up…! Heat some olive oil or clarified butter in a wide frying pan over a medium heat. Cook the fish fingers until golden and crispy on the outside and cooked through into the centre. Drain on kitchen paper. I love to wrap them in crunchy little gem lettuce leaves, add a dollop of garlic mayo (aioli) or your mayo of choice and enjoy. Ballymaloe granola recipe by:Darina Allen A million times more delicious, nutritious and satisfying cereal than virtually anything you can buy. Servings 20 Preparation Time 5 mins Cooking Time 30 mins Total Time 35 mins Course Baking Ingredients 350g (12oz) local runny honey 225g (8fl oz) light olive or grapeseed oil 470g (1lb 1oz approx.) oat flakes 200g (7oz) barley flakes 200g (7oz) wheat flakes 100g (3 1/2oz) rye flakes 150g (5oz) seedless raisins or sultanas 150g (5oz) peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds or cashew nuts split and roasted 70g (2 3/4oz) wheatgerm and /or millet flakes 50g (2oz) chopped apricots, chopped dates Method Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Mix oil and honey together in a saucepan, heat just enough to melt the honey. Mix well into the mixed flakes. Spread thinly on two baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, turning frequently, making sure the edges don't burn. It should be just golden and toasted, not roasted! Allow to get cold. Mix in the raisins or sultanas, roasted nuts, toasted seeds, chopped dates, apricots and wheatgerm. Store in a screw top jar or a plastic box, keeps for 1-2 weeks. Serve with sliced banana, berries in season, milk and/or natural yoghurt. Tomato fondue recipe by:Darina Allen Tomato fondue is one of our great convertibles. It has a number of uses. We serve it as a vegetable or a sauce for pasta, filling for omelettes, topping for pizza… Servings 6 Preparation Time 15 mins Cooking Time 30 mins Total Time 45 mins Course Main Ingredients 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 110g onions, sliced 1 clove of garlic, crushed 900g very ripe tomatoes in summer, or 2 x 400g tins of tomatoes in winter, but peel before using salt, freshly ground pepper and sugar to taste 1 tbsp of any of the following; freshly chopped mint, thyme, parsley, lemon balm, marjoram or torn basil Method Heat the oil in a stainless steel sauté pan or casserole. Add the onions and garlic and toss until coated. Cover and sweat on a gentle heat until soft but not coloured -— about 10 minutes. It is vital for the success of this dish that the onions are completely soft before the tomatoes are added. Slice the peeled fresh tomatoes or chopped tinned tomatoes and add with all the juice to the onions. Season with salt, freshly ground pepper and sugar (tinned tomatoes need lots of sugar because of their high acidity). Add a generous sprinkling of herbs. Cover and cook for just 10-20 minutes more, or until the tomato softens, uncover and reduce a little. Cook fresh tomatoes for a shorter time to preserve the lively fresh flavour. Tinned tomatoes need to be cooked for longer depending on whether you plan to use the fondue as a vegetable, sauce or filling. SEASONAL JOURNAL Sophie Morris Questions… Check out Sophie Morris on Instagram. She uses her page to raise awareness about food labels, reducing ultra-processed foods, clever supermarket swaps…she's got quite the following. Instagram @sophie_morris Grow It Yourself Grow At School Programme Bravo GIY… As written about overleaf by Joe McNamee, GIY's Grow At School programme is in over 700 schools providing food gardens and supporting resources to teachers to use food growing and garden-based learning. Their aim is to roll it out to all 3300 primary schools; reaching over 500,000 children and their families. They are calling on the government to commit to embedding food growing education in schools and to support GIY in a national roll-out of Grow At School to every school. They need help in spreading the word by posting/sharing wherever you can and tagging your local TDs and key politicians. Really worth supporting…. Tag GIY on what you post to Instagram @giyireland and @mickkellygrows Read More Darina Allen: Three ways to try the sublime flavours of Southwestern France
RTÉ News
21 hours ago
- RTÉ News
All you need to know about bathing water quality at Irish beaches
Analysis: The bathing water quality at your local swimming spot is an important factor in ensuring a safe experience on these hot days A 2024 report by Sports Ireland identifies swimming as the most popular sports activity in Ireland after personal exercise. As we approach peak summer season and hope for warm weather, thousands of Irish people will be visiting local beaches and inland swimming places for a refreshing dip. While water safety is of paramount importance, the bathing water quality at your local swimming spot is also an important factor for a safe swimming experience. Last year, a report from the European Commission indicated that the share of Irish beaches with "excellent" water quality (77%) remains below the EU average (85%). The report highlights how poor water quality undermines the trust of citizens, while it also has a measurable economic impact on tourism revenue and lost working days due to sickness. Europeans spend more than €800 billion a year on recreational visits to water bodies, but perceived poor water quality costs €100 billion a year in lost visits, according to a 2021 study. The European Commission has estimated that the direct benefits related to the protection of human health since the introduction of the EU's 2006 Bathing Water Directive to monitor bathing water quality equates to €1.65 billion per year. So what is being done to ensure that we can enjoy our outdoor summer swims in clean waters? The bathing water directive means every EU country must monitor bathing water quality at designated bathing water locations—around 22,000 bathing sites in all—during the bathing season, which in Ireland takes place officially between the June 1st and September 15th every year. From RTÉ Radio 1's News at One, Ian Diamond from An Taisce discusses the record 89 Irish beaches and 10 marinas that have been awarded a Blue Flag for 2025 Each country needs to take at least four water samples per year from each site over the course of four years to be awarded classification as poor, sufficient (the minimum acceptable standard), good or excellent. If a bathing water is classified as poor, it is closed for a full bathing season and a management plan has to be put into place to achieve at least a sufficient standard. This has been the case with Sandymount Strand in Dublin, which is now closed for bathing for the full bathing season after testing poor between 2021 and 2024. The EU Bathing Water Directive also includes specific guidelines for dealing with short-term bathing water pollution issues. These guidelines are put into place for events such as the recent temporary swimming ban at Dollymount Strand last month due to sewage discharge from stormwater overflow caused by heavy rainfall. Some local authorities in Ireland are already monitoring water quality off-season and doing more regular testing during the bathing season. This is particularly important as water activities have increased in frequency and take place both inside and outside the bathing season. From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland. Dr Eimear Cotter from the EPA on the latest results from the testing of bathing water in Ireland The recent cancellation of the annual Blackrock Raft Race in Dundalk due to suspected water pollution illustrates the importance of faster, more frequent and more widespread testing methods and clear communication to bathers on such issues. In this particular case, no water testing took place for the event as Blackrock Beach is not a designated bathing water site. Louth County Council advised the general public to use "officially designated bathing water sites in the area" instead. While neither the EPA nor the Louth County Council are actually responsible for testing the water quality at Blackrock Beach, the local community members are the ones directly affected, as any future action on potential sources of water pollution in their local area depends on the availability and frequency of water testing in the area. From RTÉ Radio 1's News At One in May 2024, Niall Horgan of Irish Water on the plan to improve water quality at five beaches that scored poorly on bathing water Many bathers will not be aware of the current resources available for checking bathing water quality, such as the website ran by the Environmental Protection Agency, which also has a FAQ section with important information. This includes a recommendation that no one should swim in rivers, lakes and seas for 48 hours after any heavy rain and advice on how citizens can make a submission to their local authorities to designate a new bathing area. It also outlines the many ways in which water pollution can be triggered other than by stormwater overflow, including bird and dog fouling, industrial and agricultural discharges and domestic sewage misconnections. While water testing at designated bathing sites and the online access to information via is reassuring, there is still a lag between assessing water quality and providing information to citizens. Water samples need to be collected and assessed in the lab, a process that can take up to 48 hours prior to the issuing of results. The European Commission acknowledges that new technologies such as automated monitoring, sensor technologies, satellite imaging and predictive modelling can provide more efficient monitoring of bathing water quality. The DCU RESTART project aims to achieve this through better communication strategies and technical improvements in water quality analysis to cater to the increase in bathing water activities both during and outside the bathing season. The project is developing rapid testing technologies to provide much faster results while also raising awareness of the importance of checking bathing water quality before swimming in Irish waters and analysing how communication of bathing water quality from government agencies to Irish citizens can be improved. An online survey is providing a snapshot of the current status of awareness of this important topic while investigating how we can improve the dissemination of bathing water quality information. An early sampling of the results with more than 140 participants indicates that: 25% don't know if the areas where they conduct water activities are identified bathing sites (subject to bathing water quality analysis) More than 66% of respondents take part in water activities both within and outside the bathing season. Less than 50% of respondents are aware of as one of the main resources for bathing water quality in Ireland 75% of respondents are unaware that they can identify new bathing water areas and propose them to local authorities (so that they are subject to regular bathing water quality monitoring) 20% of participants have experienced a health issue at least once after conducting water activities By improving communication, awareness and efficiency of bathing water quality monitoring in Ireland, The RESTART project highlights the key importance of water in everyday life, for health, leisure and economical purposes. If you're going to go for a cool dip on these hots summer days, remember to check the water quality of the site you are visiting. And don't forget the sunsceen!
The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
EU to defer Israel trade ban and instead work with its government to increase aid into Gaza
THE EU IS to totally defer a ban on trade with Israel after reaching an agreement with the Netanyahu government to work towards increasing the level of aid in Gaza. The agreement, which is likely to be met with strong criticism from European politicians critical of Israel's actions in Gaza, comes after a review of the EU's trade agreement with Tel Aviv said its military's actions in Palestine breached human rights obligations. European leaders failed to reach an agreement on whether to take action to put an end to the trade agreement following a summit in Brussels last month, but agreed to engage with Israeli authorities on the matter to come to a resolution. Speaking today, the EU's foreign affairs commissioner Kaja Kallas announced that, following engagement, Israel has agreed to implement measures to increase the distribution and delivery of aid into Gaza. The measure was announced just an hour after MEPs rejected a motion to censure the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen , who many in the European Parliament have criticised for not taking stronger action to improve conditions in Gaza. The EU's foreign affairs commissioner Kaja Kallas said the block is 'counting on Israel' to fulfil its obligations. Alamy, file Alamy, file 'Counting on' Israel to fulfil the deal Kallas detailed that Israel, which has effectively put the Palestinian territory under siege since launching its counteroffensive operation against Hamas in October 2023, has agreed to increasing the delivery of food and other items to enter Gaza and open several border crossings and aid routes from Jordan and Egypt. In a post to social media, Kallas said: 'We count on Israel to implement every measure agreed.' The UN has warned that the lack of sufficient deliveries of aid into Gaza is placing the entire population there at risk of famine . The World Health Organization said the shortcomings in the delivery of fuel has led to the health system there to collapse. Israel's counteroffensive has killed more than 57,600 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, since the 7 October attack by Hamas in 2023, according to the region's health agency – which the UN says is accurate. Independent humanitarian watchdogs, such as Amnesty International , describe Israel's actions as 'genocide'. Today, Gaza's civil defence agency has said at least 52 people, including eight children, have been killed by Israeli forces in the Palestinian territory. The strikes and gunfire came just hours after Hamas announced it was willing to release 10 Israel hostages. Thousands of Palestinians have been displaced throughout the conflict in Gaza. Alamy Alamy The EU's review of Israel's trade agreement highlighted breaches to human rights clauses in the deal over Israel's continued restriction of basic aid, such as food, medicine, fuel and other vital supplies, in Gaza. Advertisement It also said that the restriction of aid amounts to the use of 'starvation as a method of war' and referenced the 'unprecedented level of killing and injury of civilians in Gaza' resulting from 'indiscriminate attacks without proportion or precaution'. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said at the time that these events have taken place 'with a persistent lack of accountability' and called for concrete actions to be taken by the EU . EU does not rule out working with US-Israeli-backed aid org Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli military maintain that soldiers target legitimate facilities which assist militant group Hamas. Dozens of UN agencies, however, have condemned the strikes on the locations, which include residential buildings, make-shift refugee hubs, hospitals and critical infrastructure. UN agencies and independent NGOs have not been able to fully operate their aid delivery services due to a lack of supplies and the replacement of its services by a US-Israeli-backed organisations, which has been countlessly condemned for its delivery mode l. The controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) operates during strict and limited hours. Dozens of civilians have been killed by Israeli soldiers while queuing for aid at one of its four sites , though the organisation denies involvement. GHF requests that Palestinians in Gaza travel to one of its four hubs, which are located in different parts of the territory. Alamy Alamy It also requests that Palestinians in Gaza travel to one of its four hubs, which are located in different parts of the territory. This results in civilians having to sometimes cross into and past active combat regions, according to Oxfam . Despite this, Kallas said that the EU will coordinate and facilitate the delivery of its aid deal with Israel and did not rule out working with GHF, though reports from Brussels claim the EU will seek to work with UN agencies primarily. Kallas was previously slammed by Irish MEPs for offering the EU's assistance to replace aid organisations in Gaza . She said: 'The EU stands ready to coordinate with all relevant humanitarian stakeholders, UN agencies and NGOs on the ground, to ensure swift implementation of those urgent steps.' A third of Israel's imports come from the EU, valued at over €23bn annually, while Europe imports less than 1% of its goods from Israel. Suspending trade ties would require a unanimous decision, which is likely impossible as countries like Austria, Germany and Hungary, that tend to more supportive of Israel's government. Ireland was among ten member states who requested that a review take place in the context of the EU's compliance with the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice. The non-binding advisory opinion found that 'Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful and needs to be brought to an end as rapidly as possible'. The war began after Hamas militants attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, leading to the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
