COSMIC WALK - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

The Earth Charter

Preamble 

We stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history, a time when humanity must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations.

Earth, Our Home              

Humanity is part of a vast evolving universe. Earth, our home, is alive with a unique community of life. The forces of nature make existence a demanding and uncertain adventure, but Earth has provided the conditions essential to life’s evolution. The resilience of the community of life and the well-being of humanity depend upon preserving a healthy biosphere with all its ecological systems, a rich variety of plants and animals, fertile soils, pure waters, and clean air. The global environment with its finite resources is a common concern of all peoples. The protection of Earth’s vitality, diversity, and beauty is a sacred trust.

The Global Situation

The dominant patterns of production and consumption are causing environmental devastation, the depletion of resources, and a massive extinction of species. Communities are being undermined. The benefits of development are not shared equitably and the gap between rich and poor is widening. Injustice, poverty, ignorance, and violent conflict are widespread and the cause of great suffering. An unprecedented rise in human population has overburdened ecological and social systems. The foundations of global security are threatened. These trends are perilous—but not inevitable.

The Challenges Ahead: 

The choice is ours: form a global partnership to care for Earth and one another or risk the destruction of ourselves and the diversity of life. Fundamental changes are needed in our values, institutions, and ways of living. We must realize that when basic needs have been met, human development is primarily about being more, not having more. We have the knowledge and technology to provide for all and to reduce our impacts on the environment. The emergence of a global civil society is creating new opportunities to build a democratic and humane world. Our environmental, economic, political, social, and spiritual challenges are interconnected, and together we can forge inclusive solutions.

Universal Responsibility 

To realize these aspirations, we must decide to live with a sense of universal responsibility, identifying ourselves with the whole Earth community as well as our local communities. We are at once citizens of different nations and of one world in which the local and global are linked. Everyone shares responsibility for the present and future well-being of the human family and the larger living world. The spirit of human solidarity and kinship with all life is strengthened when we live with reverence for the mystery of being, gratitude for the gift of life, and humility regarding the human place in nature.

We urgently need a shared vision of basic values to provide an ethical foundation for the emerging world community. Therefore, together in hope we affirm the following interdependent principles for a sustainable way of life as a common standard by which the conduct of all individuals, organizations, businesses, governments, and transnational institutions is to be guided and assessed.

 

 

Further notes on Sculpture 4: Photosynthesis Formula

·         

 

 

 

Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy into chemical energy for themselves to live. The majority of the oxygen required for life on Earth is produced by photosynthesis. It also maintains the oxygen content of the Earth’s atmosphere and supplies most of the energy necessary for life on Earth, so it is an extremely important process for the existence of life on Earth. Photoautotrophs are the organisms that perform photosynthesis, such as algae, cyanobacteria, and most plants.

 

Photosynthesis Formula

6CO2 + 12H2O + Light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O

Carbon dioxide + Water + Light energy → Glucose + Oxygen + Water

 

The above equation is the overall reaction for photosynthesis. A molecule is the smallest particle of matter that has an independence existence. Here, six molecules of carbon dioxide and twelve molecules of water combine to produce a glucose molecule, six molecules of water, and six molecules of gaseous oxygen with the use of light and chlorophyll.

(Based on Monlare and Gair: 2021)

Applications for Growing Area are now open for 2023

Groups must apply by 01 March 2023 using this application form. Please read the guidelines below before submitting your application.

(Note: You don't need to sign into Google to submit this form. If you would prefer to download and email or post this form, please click here.)

---

 

Guidelines for An Gairdín Beo Community Garden

The overall vision of An Gairdín Beo is of a space in which diverse people can connect more to nature, to the growing and making of food and to each other.

The ethos is based on an ecological orientation, on valuing diversity, sustainability, organic methods and indigenous species. It recognises that we, as humans, are part of nature too. It is committed to the preservation and protection of the site as a green area for the greatest diversity of life possible.

The garden should be a safe place for the community, children and other gardeners. Please do not bring anything that will compromise the safety of the garden and practice good health and safety principles. 

Ensuring an enjoyable experience for all of the garden community is the primary goal of these guidelines and responsibilities. For this reason please observe the guidelines of the garden and be a good neighbour.

• An Gairdín Beo follows organic gardening principles throughout the growing area. Use of all chemical herbicides, pesticides and fungicides is prohibited in the growing area.
• Guide dogs are welcome in the garden but no pets please.
• Cars are only to be parked in the designated parking area.
• Volunteers from all the growing groups are requested to be available for garden clean up days.
• A representative from each gardening group will agree to be a liaison between their group and the garden Growing Group (see end for members).
• Please familiarise yourself with the bulletin board for a map showing where the growing areas are and who’s using them, as well as information concerning the garden, classes, information, problems and notices. Feel free to post information you have and leave messages for other gardeners there.
• Please respect others’ growing areas, do not take their food even if it looks overgrown, and please conserve water.
• Every group must apply each year for a Growing Area by 1st March. Returning gardeners will be given first preference and permitted to keep the same growing area if they wish. The number of growing areas per group may be limited according to demand.
• To help groups follow An Gairdín Beo’s organic growing principles, it is expected that representatives and/or individuals from each growing group will attend a half day workshop when they are allocated a growing area. This will introduce them to An Gairdín Beo and its values and give advice on following the garden’s guidelines on organic gardening.
• All gardeners using the garden will agree to attend a free half day workshop about using the compost area and to create an awareness about food waste in general.
• Groups are responsible for their own allocated raised beds and the immediate area around them.
• If you are unable to care for your growing area for a time, please ask fellow gardeners or the Growing Group for help with weeding or harvesting.
• Please aim to visit your growing area once a week and keep a look out for pests and diseases before they take hold.
• If you decide not to use your plot, please contact the Growing Group so the area may be reassigned to someone on the waiting list. If there is no evidence of activity at your plot by 1st May it may be reassigned by the Growing Group. 
• Green manures, biodegradable mulch such as compost, leaves, straw and hay are encouraged on the raised beds. Please do not use wood chips as they do not biodegrade easily. If growing potatoes please use an early or blight resistant variety. If growing flowers we recommend the use of pollinator friendly varieties (list available)
• If you have a surplus of vegetables or fruit, please make all effort to use them or give them away, or contact a member of the Growing Group.
• All growing areas should be kept free of weeds to limit their spread to other areas.
• If using the garden tools please clean them and put them away in the designated storage area. Please do not borrow tools for home use.
• Please take all your rubbish away with you. Empty plant pots and modules can be left in the storage area for general use.
• Growing area Group name markers must be left in place on your allocated beds to avoid confusion.
• When leaving the garden please ensure water taps are turned off.
• At the end of the growing season please leave the beds/area free of weeds and other waste.
• The garden’s executive committee has the duty of enforcing guidelines and making decisions for the garden.
• Unresolved issues or disputes between gardeners will be referred to the Growing Group or executive committee.
• We recommend the use of early potatoes in order to avoid blight.
• If growing flowers we recommend the use of pollinator friendly varieties (list available).
  

If you require more information or have any questions, email carlowcommunitygarden@gmail.com

Your views are needed!

The link below take you to a survey about gardens allotments and their future place in Carlow. It would be great to get as many views as possible. 

Please take a few minutes to fill it out: consult.carlow.ie/en/content/are-you-interested-community-gardens-allotments 

Springtime in the garden

A beautiful spring day at An Gairdín Beo. Visitors are welcome to explore nature in the Biodiversity Area, engage quietly with nature in the Therapeutic Garden, volunteer in the Growing Area or book an activity in the Community Building.

Wander in or pop us an e-mail to carlowcommunitygarden@gmail.com