Warning: Criminal Activity

Why doesn’t society act? Oblivious? Defiant? Busy? Lazy? Easier to scapegoat those sounding the alarm. Do you think the two activists wanted to throw paint at a picture? Do you think their ambition in life has been to glue themselves to a gallery? That they had nothing better to do? I would love to be able to stop being a climate activist. They have been criminalised for sounding the alarm.

Change IS possible

During my first 2 pregnancies I had lots of seizures. I spent most of ’92 to ’94 on the couch for safety and a lot of time in the Coombe hospital often via ambulance. It was around this time I watched lots of television which enlightened me about the state of our planet. I becameContinue reading “Change IS possible”

Meeting Minister Naughten

On Tuesday May 2nd 2017 at 2pm I sat in my car at the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, linked into Leinster House for a meeting with Denis Naughten, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment via mobile phone. If you know how the Irish system works you will appreciate the achievement in this. Thank you to my colleaguesContinue reading “Meeting Minister Naughten”

Proposal for Comprehensive Public Participation in Irelands National Energy Transition Plan

As some of you will know I have spent the past number of years advocating for the People’s Energy Charter request for comprehensive public participation in Ireland’s National Energy Transition Plan. A brief synopsis of the outcome is here and more in-depth report on my work is here. The questions everybody asks are “What isContinue reading “Proposal for Comprehensive Public Participation in Irelands National Energy Transition Plan”

Actions speak loudest

Why are public bodies supporting exclusive back door policy opportunities? Where are the rural voices in Irelands energy space? Where are the “energy citizens” and local authorities in energy planning? I recently attended the Energy & Climate Conference in Dublin Castle. This time I decided to see if I could encourage others from County ClareContinue reading “Actions speak loudest”

Meeting Minister White – April 2015

My proposal is to host a national conversation akin to the ideal community conversation by bringing representatives of all of the national bodies of organisations with branches throughout the country to a workshop together and encourage them to replicate the workshop in communities all around the country.

I emphasised the importance of having the farming community at the table. The fact is that if farmers need to keep their methane emissions high sacrifices will have to made elsewhere and that will take a collaborative approach. It may be that a local anaerobic digester will cut out fossil fuel heating for some area of their town bringing the communities collective emissions down.

Empowering the Disempowered

I left my children on Monday November 3rd before heading to Dublin. When I eventually left Dublin Wednesday morning I drove home with tears streaming down my face. I cried for about two hours. It reminded me of that day in February 2013 when I started writing in rhyme following a realisation that just leftContinue reading “Empowering the Disempowered”

Two very different sides to Planning for Energy Infrastructure

On October 21st I attended two very different seminars on the same issue in the same room. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. One cost €190 or so to attend and the other was free. One was positive and upbeat while the other was oozing negativity and mistrust. The earlier of theContinue reading “Two very different sides to Planning for Energy Infrastructure”

Clearing out Clutter – why?

I suppose it all started to spill out in writing during February 2013 when, upon hearing of a sudden death, I had the occasion to consider the legacy we leave to future generations. Recently prompted by my eldest daughter to clear out clutter I now begin in the best place to start – my mind. This isContinue reading “Clearing out Clutter – why?”