On 11 November 2024, Green Foundation Ireland (GFI) and the UCD Earth Institute hosted a seminar exploring the diverse values of the Irish Sea. Researchers, including members of the MESSAGE group, presented ecological, sociocultural, and economic approaches to the valuation of coastal and marine ecosystems.
The event was opened by Joan Campbell from Green Foundation Ireland. (opens in a new window)Dorota Kołbuk (UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, MARBEFES project) provided an overview of her work on non-monetary methods for assessing the ecological value of the Irish Sea. (opens in a new window)Valentina Di Gennaro (University of East Anglia, CSERGE, MARBEFES project) explained the principles of environmental economics and introduced fundamental concepts in economic valuation of marine ecosystems.
Ashley Cahillane presenting at the Green Foundation Ireland and Earth Institute seminar on the Irish Sea.
(opens in a new window)Ashley Cahillane (UCD School of English, Drama, and Film, MARBEFES project) highlighted the social and cultural benefits of the sea, sharing insights from a research cruise where she studied people’s perceptions of the sea and in an offshore environment. (opens in a new window)Tomas Buitendijk (iCRAG, UCD School of Business, projects: Blue4All, IE-Narr, Taking Stock) discussed societal perceptions surrounding marine sediments and their role in carbon storage, focusing on the Dundalk Bay area.
Tomas Buitendijk presenting at the Green Foundation Ireland and Earth Institute seminar on the Irish Sea.
This seminar demonstrated how interdisciplinary research can deepen our understanding of marine ecosystem value and provide science-based evidence for sustainable management practices.
A video of the event will be available soon on GFI’s website: (opens in a new window)https://www.greenfoundationireland.ie.