EPA - Ireland's Environment, An Integrated Assessment - 2020

Ireland’s Environment – An Integrated Assessment 2020 Chapter Highlights for Environment, Health and Wellbeing A good-quality, well-protected environment has significant health and wellbeing benefits; research has shown that access to clean green and blue spaces in our environment is good for us. The provision of health-promoting environments in urban planning is central to Ireland’s transition to more compact and urban living. Greater individual action needs to be taken to proactively tackle avoidable health consequences linked to the environment. Actions include radon testing, testing private wells, maintaining septic tanks, eliminating use of smoky fuels, reducing wasteful consumption, preventing littering and making sustainable commuting decisions. There are risks to our environment and our health from climate disruption, chemical exposure, and underinvestment in drinking water and wastewater treatment infrastructure. These risks must be addressed through state investment in targeted research, in monitoring and enforcement actions, and through investment by Irish Water in the necessary water services infrastructure. 380