Keeping Festivals Fun and Friendly
That summer breeze is starting to roll around and the sun is getting warmer, so what does this call for?
Your tank tops come out, your grungy boots, your frilly tops, your obnoxiously big belts, and of course your statement sunglasses. If you’re starting to get the hint, you won’t need any address because you’ll already be on your way to the green country for the abundance of summer festivals to choose from.
You might strut down to the stage to jump up and dance to your favorite artist or new go-to artist in your all second hand outfit and have some peace of mind knowing you aren’t contributing to the landfill of fast fashion.
But what most people forget is that most of these festivals and concerts aren’t on simply our land to fill.
But that this land we so often don’t hesitate to come stomping on and building large scale stages to host these events along with the overwhelming number of people stepping without a thought is that this land is not owned but shared with an ecosystem that has been there before and after we have had our fun.
Now this is not an effort to give you a slap on the wrist, we all look forward to summer for the festivities and one of the most iconic ones is an outdoor concert festival! There’s no need to boycott or get rid of these festivities all together, there is, however, a need to acknowledge the impacts of these festivities and how to respect wildlife while having a wild night!
Phoenix park is among one of the hosts to these amazing summer festivities, but we guarantee you however hung-over you feel the next morning, is not comparable to the ecological hang-over the park feels after. Let’s start with the obvious, which is the noise and light pollution that many of the critters are experiencing for the first time. The urban wildlife is not built for an all nighter and the disorientation they experience can force them out of their nests and natural habitats out of fear and foreignness.
And if the noise wasn’t enough to drive them out, the habitat degradation from the setup and teardown of the stage and surrounding construction, along with the intention of accommodating thousands of people in their big, bulky shoes. While it might seem like one harmless night, the grass is squished, and the dirt is bunched; the root systems are sensitive, and the underbrush is ultimately left destroyed.
And that’s the surface of the problem, as the waste pollution is usually the killer. With all the well-deserved drinks and food to enjoy guilt-free as you enjoy a brisk summer evening with friends, who wouldn’t want to crack open a fresh beer? The problem usually results in the inconvenience of the venue. Instead of rummaging through the sea of people in order to find a bin that is usually placed in the awkward edge of the concert areas, people just follow what everyone else is doing. Shamelessly ‘accidentally’ dropping the cups or food wrapping onto the earth. With so many people crowding around and the usual inability to see the ground, who can point fingers or call you out when it could’ve been the 30 other people around you!
And unfortunately, popular festival and concert times in spring and early summer tend to overlap with the breeding season of so many wildlife. You’re not the only one looking for a summer fling, and the difference is, your fling doesn’t rely on the survival of your species!
But instead of rethinking your every move, pushing the Irish government to start moving initiatives, legislations, and policies is what makes your festivities happen, all while respecting the ecosystems we share!
The Irish government started right off by acknowledging the diversity and existence of both humans and wildlife alike. By enacting the Wildlife Amendment Act, various offices, but mainly the Office of Public Works, have now taken an oath of the ‘Biodiversity Duty’. A direct reflection of land-use that is consistently being reported and assessed.
To get more personal, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is your eyes and ears of ecosystems and wildlife. Essentially, policing the use and area of parks and greens to ensure that the habitat remains protected and undamaged.
Looking to plan something but unsure about the rules and regulations? The Irish government is not only focusing on their own efforts but also on the efforts of the community, where you can easily access the ‘Guidelines for Organising Outdoor Activity Events’ to make sure your planned vision is perfectly executed while protecting biodiversity-rich zones, nesting zones, and working around strict zoning.
But as the ecosystems and wildlife follow a circle of life, so do governments. Despite all the change that these initiatives, enactments, and alike have the power to protect local green areas, the Irish government also reports to the European Union. Specifically the EU directives, such as the Habitats Directive, protecting the wildlife has every legal right.
The conversation doesn’t need to become about whether we should have these events or not, but the focus should be on mutually respected shared spaces. Enjoying an evening of music, drinks, fun, and a summer evening all while acknowledging the ecosystems that call those areas home!
Written By: Sophia Arceo
Edited By: Kirsten Baldwin
