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Earlier in the week we saw the headlines claiming “Carbon tax hikes and higher stamp duty are among measures being considered for the upcoming budget.” Is it time to tighten our belts or will the roaring 20’s be making a comeback? Economist Dan O'Brien gave us his economic forecast for the country.  Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.    Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Bobby discusses Ireland's reopening with economist Colm McCarthy. McCarthy stated that this downturn is similar to the housing crisis but with one distinct difference. All of Europe is in this together, every country in Europe has been equally affected by Covid. Bobby pointed to the fact that the US have started doing well economically speaking due to the speed of their vaccine rollout. Optimistically, the economist spoke about how the European Central Bank won't be looking to get back to balance immediately and so it would be incorrect for people to presume to expect austerity in the short term future. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.    Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.  

Last week Dun Laoghaire saw one of Ireland’s first dedicated PPE shop open due to the incredible demand for hygiene products. Bobby was joined by its inventive proprietor, Martin O’Byrne, to talk about his new venture. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.    Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

To mark Ivan's final episode of Down to Earth, Dr Cara Augustenborg baked him a cake. However it was a cake with an environmental point: it was made with cricket flour! Yes, instead of milled wheat flour, it was made of ground insects. Take a listen to Ivan's taste test, and why Cara would make a cake with insects in the first place...

On Down To Earth this week, we are celebrating Bastille Day, which marked a flash point for the French Revolution. Our environmental expert, Dr. Cara Augustenborg saw it as a good chance to explain how Ireland could learn a lot from France today, particularly when it comes to food and agriculture.

As we enter a new normal of social distancing and hand sanitisers, resident environmental scientist, Dr. Cara Augustenborg joins Ivant o discuss the environmental fallout that’s beginning to take place via plastic pollution. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.  

This week's Down to Earth features wildlife expert Eanna NiLamhna, who defends the stinging wasp! Here she explains the life cycle and why you can end up stung if you interact with one.

Resident Environmentalist Dr.Cara Augustenborg  explains to Ivan why Hemp might actually be good for the planet. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Evironmental Scientest Cara Augustenborg  shares her take on the Green Party in Government. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Recent climate records broken in Ireland and across the globe Cara Augustenborg explains what this means. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.  

Resident environmental scientist Cara Augustenborg returns for this week's Down to Earth. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Environmental Scientist Cara Augustenborg chats to Ivan about new ideas for tourism during this tough time. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.    

Ivan is joined by Environmental Scientist Cara Augustenborg for this week's Down to Earth. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

The Green Party is looking for a 7% annual emissions reduction as part of their negotiations for Government. But why 7%? resident environmental expert, Dr Cara Augustenborg, explains. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

This month, researchers Vancouver, Canada reported that silence was proving “golden” for whales as lockdown reduces ocean noise. Resident environmentalist, Dr. Cara Augustenborg joins Ivan to explain what’s happening in our oceans as a result of quieter seas Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

April 22nd 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of  Earth Day – an annual event celebrated in more than 193 countries to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Resident environmental scientist, Dr. Cara Augustenborg tells Ivan how she will be marking the day. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

The Hard Shoulder's resident environmental expert, Dr. Cara Augustenborg talks about the importance of forestry in Ireland. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa

Dr Cara Augustenborg explains why one of the ingredients in your Easter egg is not good for the earth. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Dr. Cara Augustenborg breaks down the effect Covid-19 has had on the planet so far, which includes declining air pollution across the world.

You may recall that our resident environmental expert, Dr. Cara Augustenborg, went vegan in January for Veganuary. Her dietary challenge went beyond one month and she joined Ivan to discuss what affect veganuary had on her overall heath and wellbeing.