COP27 Report

I attended COP27 in Egypt, representing Feasta, Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability and the Irish Environmental Network. This is my report from my 9 days there. Reference to “we” includes Martin Vernon. Ahead of the 27th Conference of the Parties, Stop Climate Chaos prepared a briefing document. It consisted of 5 headline recommendations withContinue reading “COP27 Report”

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.

Transformation

It’s September 2022 and the world has been transforming dramatically. In the two and a half years of covid19 there have been over 6 million deaths globally. Almost 7 months ago Russia invaded Ukraine. Lisdoonvarna welcomed more than 100 asylum seekers in 2018 and similarly welcomed Ukrainians in 2022. Both instances coincided with St PatricksContinue reading “Transformation”

Food Security

It’s a grey day in the Burren and the birds are busy flittering around the pond in our Hares Corner. Great success was celebrated recently as over 7,000 trees were planted around Clare to make more space for nature; mini habitats to support wildlife in the Hares Corner project. Throughout Ireland work to restore habitats, hedgerowsContinue reading “Food Security”

Can “Just Transition” fail to be a transition that is just?

Can “Just Transition” fail to be a transition that is just? Definitely. What is needed is a national transition strategy that is just, in compliance with the Aarhus convention, respects everybody equally and supports everyone affected. That must begin immediately. Ultimately this lack of a coordinated, whole of society action is a gross injustice to the young people of Ireland, the world and future generations.

Climate Dialogue, Covid19 Ready, in 7 steps

In 2016 the Irish government announced a National Dialogue on Climate Action. Only 4 events have been held within the past 4 years so it falls on the current government to ensure that dialogue proceeds at pace. In a Covid19 world how will that happen? Convene a National co-ordination team: First and foremost there hasContinue reading “Climate Dialogue, Covid19 Ready, in 7 steps”

Communicating Climate Change in North Clare

I don’t think anyone could have planned the last few days in Lisdoonvarna in their wildest dreams! It was a climate activists gift. I LOVED it! Last year the local secondary school, Mary Immaculate, applied to the Young Environmentalist competition with an idea about communicating climate change to North Clare. While the students and theirContinue reading “Communicating Climate Change in North Clare”

Changing THE System

As 2018 comes to an end I feel like looking back on the past few years since moving to Clare. My first year was spent working on national energy and climate policy with the Environmental Pillar as well as establishing Clare PPN. It is very easy forget that we can all change the world forContinue reading “Changing THE System”

Proposal to National Dialogue on Climate Action #climatedialogueIRL

Having attended the regional dialogue on climate action in Tralee today I thought to share this post from 2016. I’m still saying government needs to convene a meeting of all head office officials of bodies with branches in communities throughout Ireland – GAA, Scouts, ICA, IFA, Church, Tidy Towns, Foroige, FAI etc etc. Then compelContinue reading “Proposal to National Dialogue on Climate Action #climatedialogueIRL”