Run, jog or walk the Women's Mini Marathon in aid of Friends of the Earth
Issued in news on March 02, 2010 at 14:19:00.
Good for you, Good for the Planet 
Official registration for this year's Flora Mini Marathon opens Wednesday 3rd March 2010. We are asking our supporters to join Friends of the Earth staff members Michelle and JoAnne to run, jog or walk the Flora Women's Mini Marathon in Dublin on Bank Holiday Monday, June 7th 2010, to help raise vital funds for Friends of the Earth.
It is a fun, feel good event, suitable for women of all ages over 14 and all fitness levels and we'll support you every step of the way with:
Email Gormley demanding a strong climate law in 2010
Issued in campaign actions.
Please email John Gormley about the climate law that he plans to pass in 2010.
Local group meeting with the Minister for Transport.
Issued in news on February 24, 2010 at 12:14:00.
Brilliant news coming to us from Meath. The Meath Climate Change group have been collecting signed postcards calling for a 
strong climate law in and around Navan for a few months. Earlier this month they met with their local TD Noel Dempsey. As minister for Transport, Mr Dempsey is a key figure in the Governments, attempt to tackle climate change. He sits on the important Cabinet sub-commitee on climate change.
Climate Crisis will be the challenge of new decade
Issued in news on January 04, 2010 at 10:41:00.
This is not how it was supposed to end. Internationally, this decade was supposed to give us a comprehensive global treaty to contain climate change. In Ireland, some of us allowed ourselves hope a soft-landing for the Celtic Tiger would herald a "post-materialist" era where environmental and social considerations where given as much weight as economic ones in policy-making.
Instead, the Copenhagen climate talks ended in confusion and recrimination and in Ireland the economic crash has driven us back to very understandable materialist concerns about budget cuts and job losses.
Coping with Copenhagen
Issued in the blog on February 24, 2010 at 09:52:00.
Copenhagen was personally very disappointing for me. I did not expect there to be a final legally binding treaty agreed there but I had hoped for better things. I had hoped that perhaps movement would be made on sticky issues in the negotiating texts and that by the time things came to a close there would be maybe three or four areas that still needed to be worked through in 2010. What actually hap pended was that a parallel process developed, the process of drawing together the Copenhagen Accord. This sapped attention and focus from the real texts that have been being negotiated since the UN meeting in Bali two years ago.
Ireland "must step up" as climate talks begin in Copenhagen
Issued in news on December 07, 2009 at 14:47:00.
Rich countries must offer more substantial cuts in emissions to secure fair deal
Friends of the Earth has called for a "step change" in Irish climate change policy as UN negotiations to agree a global deal open in Copenhagen. Hopes of a deal being done have risen now that Obama has rescheduled to be in Copenhagen on the last day of the summit. But, according to the environmental justice organisation, without more substantial cuts in emissions from developed countries the chances of achieving a just and effective agreement are slim.
Molly Walsh, who is in Copenhagen for Friends of the Earth Ireland, said
Copenhagen negotiators "playing Russian roulette with the future of humanity"
Issued in news on December 14, 2009 at 00:01:00.
"You can't negotiate with the atmosphere. Physics doesn't compromise" according to leading Irish scientist
Friends of the Earth has accused negotiators at the UN climate talks of "playing Russian roulette with the future of humanity". As ministers begin arriving at the summit in Copenhagen, the environmental organization has called on Presidents and Prime Ministers to end the short-sighted jostling for national advantage and focus on "our common interest in a safe climate". The first week of the conference has been marked by bitter divisions between Western countries and the global south on targets for reducing emissions and finance for coping with the climate change already underway.
From Copenhagen, Friends of the Earth policy officer, Molly Walsh, said:
Open the door, De Boer!
Issued in the blog on December 17, 2009 at 15:36:00.
What happened yesterday was a nail in the coffin for any belief I might ever have had left that the UNFCCC is an open democratic and transparent process.We heard a few days ago that every NGO group would only be allowed 20% of their registered people inside the Bella Centre. This was apparently because of capacity. WE were not pleased about this. If a process is to be open and transparent ngos must be able attend and see what is going on. Anyway we did what we were told and just like all the other observer organisations at the COP we picked some of our people to go in. These people were going to be given a white card that would now be needed along with our UN photo id that everyone has around their neck. I was lucky enough to be chosen as one for these people. This system of white cards and primary passes worked OK for Tuesday. Things were a bit quieter but we did manage to do a good flash mob action wearing blue ponchos and chanting "we stand with Africa, Kyoto targets now".Minister Eamon Ryan even joined in a bit, without really knowing what he was being dragged into!
Boat building in Copenhagen
Issued in the blog on December 08, 2009 at 11:21:00.
lets not get into a leaky canoe
The night train to Copenhagen is unusually late. The crowded platform in Cologne train station is dominated by interesting looking characters. There is a tall bearded man with a black stetson carrying a very battered leather briefcase. There are two scruffy punks form Belgian with very advanced cameras. There are a two people who joined my journey in London and seem to be from a UK NGO. They have long since exhausted their political discussions of what the weeks ahead will hold and are now much more animatedly discussing their cats. All these strange characters waiting for the train, myself included, are going to Copenhagen for the UN climate conference. From Monday thousands of delegates from around the world will gather at the Bella centre in an attempt to negotiate a global deal on climate. The train finally arrives at the platform and we all get on. I love night trains. Perhaps it is because we don't have any opportunities for international train travel in Ireland, perhaps its the idea of going to sleep in one country and waking up in another. Anyway I find them really exciting. There is a certain sound that night trains make that is different to the noises of other trains. The tone of the rattle seems lower and flatter, they are calm beasts that carry us sleeping to our destinations.
Join the Wave to Stop Climate Chaos
Issued in news on November 09, 2009 at 09:58:00.
On Saturday 5 December 2009, just ahead of the crucial UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen, thousands of people from all walks of life will flood the streets of Dublin to demonstrate their support for a fair and safe climate future for all.
The Wave, organised by the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, will show mass support for a better, low carbon future for Ireland and the world.
We want the Irish Government to show leadership at Copenhagen. We want them to PROTECT THE POOREST and ACT NOW to inspire the deal the world needs.
Friends of the Earth welcomes landmark Government decision on climate law
Issued in news on July 28, 2009 at 13:00:00.
A strong climate law would be a real achievement for Greens in government
Friends of the Earth has welcomed the Government decision to draft a climate change Bill. The environmental organisation, which has led the campaign for a climate law over the last two years, described today's announcement as a landmark for Irish climate change policy and a significant achievement for the Greens in government.
Friends of the Earth Director, Oisin Coghlan, said
"This decision is a landmark for Irish climate change policy. A strong law will show that Ireland finally means business on climate change. It will hardwire action and accountability on climate change into the political system. It is also key to a low-carbon recovery that is economically and environmentally sustainable."
Climate Camp runs August 15th to 23rd in Offaly
Issued in news on August 13, 2009 at 07:47:00.
Climate Camp- Action for Social Justice
15th - 23rd August 2009, Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly, Ireland
www.climatecamp.ie
9 days of workshops, sustainable living, direct action and movement building for climate justice....because nature doesn't do bailouts!
The Climate Camp is a place where anyone who cares about climate change or social justice can meet, live, learn and take direct action together. It's happening this August 15th-23rd, in Co. Offaly, Ireland.
The camp will be 9 days of great food, live music, workshops and action for a just, sustainable future.
You can come for as long as you want - it's up to you.
What can I do there?
Earthshot - we need another giant leap for humanity
Issued in news on July 20, 2009 at 16:13:00.
Forty years ago Neil Armstrong took "one giant leap for mankind" when he set foot on the moon, an achievement that looks ever more remarkable as time passes.
Take one small step - join Friends of the Earth today.
For me, one of the striking things about the Apollo Project is that when President Kennedy made his famous declaration in 1961 about landing a man on the moon before the end of the decade, many scientists thought it was too challenging or unrealistic a goal. But with political will and resources it was achieved.
Proposed Copenhagen Accord an embarrassment
Issued in news on December 18, 2009 at 16:59:00.
Rich countries will not avoid a PR disaster by bullying poor countries to accept a climate disaster
Friends of the Earth has described the latest draft text at the UN climate summit as an "embarrassment". Calling on world leaders to stay in Copenhagen until they agree a "real deal with actions strong enough to deliver on their aspirations", the environmental organisation said poorer countries will not be bullied into accepting an unfair and unsafe agreement.
In Copenhagen, Friends of the Earth Policy Officer, Molly Walsh said
Climate countdown begins with giant human hourglass
Issued in news on June 16, 2009 at 08:19:00.
Climate campaigners called on the government to take stronger action against climate change by creating a giant human hourglass on Sandymount Strand on Saturday 13th June to start the 'Climate Countdown to Copenhagen.' Created by a crowd of about 1,000 people holding up red and blue papers. The event was organized by the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, of which Friends of the Earth is a member, to demonstrate that time is running out to agree a new global treaty on climate change, with just six months until a deal is due to be signed by world leaders at a summit in Copenhagen.
Uncertainty in Copenhagen as new draft goes down badly
Issued in news on December 18, 2009 at 10:46:00.
The mood at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen has changed from optimism to uncertainty, after a draft text from a influential group of world leaders went down badly with developing nations.
...Overnight, a group of 26 influential world leaders had worked on a text, a process which the Danish Prime Minister had described as both fruitful and positive.
However this morning, developing nations have reacted negatively to the text, apparently feeling that an agreement was being forced on them by the world's richest nations.
Liz McManus to study proposals for climate change laws
Issued in news on June 11, 2009 at 09:27:00.
HARRY McGEE, Political Staff
THE LABOUR spokeswoman on energy, Liz McManus, has been asked by the Oireachtas climate change committee to act as its rapporteur in examining proposals for legislation to set statutory limits and targets for emissions and carbon budgets.
Climate change legislation is expected to be the key demand of the Green Party in the revised programme for government, which will be negotiated during the summer. ...
At a meeting of the committee yesterday ... Oisín Coghlan of Friends of the Earth said ... there was an urgent need for a climate change Act and said a five-year carbon budget should be included in the legislation.
Friends of the Earth’s Island Gathering 2010 Programme
Issued in news on March 12, 2010 at 10:43:00.
Saturday 17 April
11.00 Registration
12.00 Opening address by Northern Ireland Environment Minister Edwin Poots, including questions from audience
12.30 Welcome address from new Northern Ireland Director James Orr, introduced by England, Wales and Northern Ireland Managing Director James Whiting, followed by questions
13.30 Lunch
14.15 Review of the Year:
- Audio Visual Review
- Big Ask Ireland
- Copenhagen
- Stop Climate Chaos Northern Ireland
- Northern Ireland Planning Reform
- Green New Deal
15.45 Tea and coffee
Stop Climate Chaos and Friends of the Earth Conga 4 Climate at Electric Picnic
Issued in news on September 10, 2009 at 16:31:00.
Building on the success of the Human Hourglass on Sandymount beach this year where 1000 people joined together to mark the six month countodwn to Copenhagen Friends of the Earth and Stop Climate Chaos organised a FLASH MOB at this years Electric Picnic!
Mountmellick Environment Group meet local TD as part of Friends of the Earth Climate Law Campaign
Issued in news on August 11, 2009 at 16:40:00.
Mountmellick Environment Group (MEG), members of Friends of the Earth and the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition have been actively supporting the Big Ask campaign over the last few months. Over 100 postcards were signed by local people and MEG members presented these cards to their local TD, John Moloney, Minister of State for Children and Health, on Thursday 6th August 2009. Minister Moloney while not being very involved in the climate change issue, up to now, is very convinced of the importance of having it addressed and advanced. He was most supportive of the points raised by the MEG members and promised to do all in his power to ensure that the commitment of the Government to introduce a Climate Bill would not get lost. This commitment included putting it forward as an agenda item for the next Parliamentary Party meeting.
Why Ireland needs a climate law and how it would work
Issued in publications on June 24, 2009.
Friends of the Earth believes that a climate change law can be a cornerstone of a low-carbon recovery that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. Putting our long-term emissions targets into law will give certainty to businesses and households. A law is the best way to make sure all departments across government and all governments across time take climate
change seriously and take action consistently.
Ireland was not rich in the natural resources of the fossil-fuel age. We are rich in the natural resources of the post-carbon age. A climate law would send a strong signal that we are building the institutional framework to support a green enterprise economy and make Ireland a leading location for green technology, and jobs that will last rather than being the product another boom
and bust economic cycle.
Policy-making 21st century style: by tweet
Issued in the blog on May 29, 2009 at 16:29:00.
I didn't expect the public announcement that the Government will bring in climate legislation to come via Twitter but that's what happened just before lunchtime yesterday.
Yesterday was the culmination of a month long push to get the Government to provide long promised time for a new debate of the Climate Protection Bill in the Seanad. That's the bill Ivana Bacik drafted for us to launch our climate law campaign back in 2007 and introduced in the Seanad when she became a Trinity Senator.
Labour Party Climate Change Bill 2009
Issued in publications on January 19, 2009.
The text of the Labour Party Climate Change Bill, as published in January 2009 and initiated in the Dail on 5 February. It includes an explanatory memorandum.
