Blog Archive
Stop Climate Chaos at MacGill Summer School
Posted on August 15, 2019 by Claudia Tormey
Catherine Devitt, Head of Policy with Stop Climate Chaos, was invited to speak at the 39th MacGill Summer School in the small town of Glenties, co. Donegal.
The well-renowned summer school brings together people from all walks of life to engage in discussion on some of the most urgent social, economic and environmental issues of the day.
Catherine participated in a panel, discussing “With its natural habitat and environment, Ireland has a major resource which is at risk of being destroyed.” Catherine’s contribution is available in the video here at this link.
Permanent link | Categories: climatechange • stop climate chaos
Peat.
Posted on August 13, 2019 by Kate Ruddock
Friends of the Earth objected to ESB's proposal for a peat and biomass plant at Shannonbridge West Offaly. The idea that Ireland would import chopped up trees and woody materials from all over the world to burn alongside dried out peat in order to produce electricity was unconscionable. Our bogs are Ireland's equivalent of the Amazon rainforest. Our biodiversity hotspots. Fragile ecosystems bursting with plants and animals not found anywhere else AND they serve as natural carbon sinks, sucking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere helping us to combat climate breakdown.
Permanent link | Categories: climatechange • energy • biodiversity
Start the Conversation with a Book
Posted on July 29, 2019 by Claudia Tormey
Books are a great way to learn about the world and ourselves, and can often spark deeper discussions.
Talking about environmental issues such as climate change isn't always easy, so books can be a good way to start the conversation.
Our first ever book club series seems to be going quite well. We've hosted physical events in Dublin, Wicklow and Belfast and have engaged with many of you online through our webinars. Because we can't always meet in person, we're trying out new ways to connect.
On March 28th, we launched our book club at the Fumbally Stables in Dublin, joined by author and activist Lorna Gold to discuss her book ‘Climate Generation, Awakening to our Children’s Future’.
Permanent link | Categories: climatechange • Book Club • active hope • climate generation • climate emergency •
Movement Building, Skill Sharing and Collaborating
Posted on July 29, 2019 by Claudia Tormey
A lot the work we do at Friends of the Earth involves working closely with grassroots activists groups, we do this because we see the importance of collaboration and relationship building to strenghten and build on the movement we are a part of.
Training Links Programme
Through our ongoing courses we have been actively enaging people in environmental issues, connecting the dots and offering opportunities for people to gain skills and knowledge so they can take action on the issues they care about.
Permanent link | Categories: climatechange • climate connects • climate activism • climate movement
Climate Emergency to Action Plan
Posted on July 29, 2019 by Claudia Tormey
As secretariat members of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, we have been very active over the last number of months, campaigning for strong climate action and legislation. Here's a summary!
Climate Action plan
While eagerly awaiting the Climate Action plan, we put together five tests or indicators of how serious the Government is taking climate action seriously, and effective the Plan will be in bringing down emissions pollution. The Government’s new Climate Action Plan was published in mid-June to much fanfare, and in July, we published our assessment of the Plan, in collaboration with the Environmental Pillar. A summary of our report is available here and the full report is available here.
Permanent link | Categories: climatechange • Stop Climate Chaos • Climate Action Plan
Solar Schools are Championing Community Power
Posted on July 26, 2019 by Claudia Tormey
In 2018 we launched our Solar Schools competition, where five schools won solar panels so that they can power themselves with renewable energy straight from their rooftops.
Schools will be excited to know we will be launching a second competition in September, so even more schools can generate their own energy! Every winning school receives a 90% grant for their solar panels and all of the technical and bureaucratic support needed for the installation of the solar panels.
This competition is an excellent opportunity for communities to participate in renewable energy generation, and schools are the ideal place for valuable community-based education to occur. The competition will play an important role in encouraging communities to take the first step on their sustainable energy journey.
Permanent link | Categories: energy • solarschools • solar schools • community power •
Growing Together, Building Solidarity Through Food
Posted on July 25, 2019 by Claudia Tormey
The Growing Together project, which aims to engage young people on the topic of food production, have been busy networking and training over the past few months. Here's a round-up of what they've been up to.
CAP - Let's Lift the Lid
In the lead up to the European elections the Growing Together project hosted a training on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in partnership with Foodture called 'CAP - Let's Lift the Lid'. The event featured a Fair Food Feast with all food sourced from local, sustainable farmers and a photo exhibition featuring the farmers who grew the food.
Permanent link | Categories: foodandfarming • young friends of the earth • growing together •
Another Win for Community Power!
Posted on July 23, 2019 by Claudia Tormey
Thanks to the generosity and action of our supporters, real change is now on the horizon.
Six weeks ago we emailed our supporters to tell them about a family home in Limerick that was forced to take down their solar panels becuase of a breach in planning permission rules. We asked you to chip in to help fund an appeal to change the rules. In order to unlock the potential for solar we need to break down lots of barriers like this.
Permanent link | Categories: energy • solarschools • community power
On the Road to Plastic Free!
Posted on July 23, 2019 by Claudia Tormey
Breaking free from plastic is not just a personal journey, it's a global movement of millions of people pushing for bigger action on plastic production, consumption and waste.
And we have some good news to share!
In May 2019 the EU formally approved a pioneer legislation to curb single-use plastics and earlier this month the EU Single Use Plastic (SUP) Directive was adopted and made law. Member states, including Ireland, now have two years to adopt it into Irish law and ensure we are on track to reach its targets.
This milestone is all thanks to plastic free campaigners who demanded change from industry and government all across Europe.
Permanent link | Categories: waste • sick of plastic
Active Hope - Two Webinars and One Event
Posted on July 17, 2019 by Claudia Tormey
Active Hope is something we do. And we're doing it together.
This month, we've been reading 'Active Hope' by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone and last week we hosted an online discussion with Chris Johnstone to introduce Active Hope, you can watch the recording here at this link.
In this webinar, Chris shares what inspired him to write the book and how it was born from a series of conversations with Joanna Macy. Chris was curious to find out what can we do to help us adequately respond to the climate crisis while sustaining our actions.
Permanent link | Categories: climatechange • active hope • resilience • activism • climate movement •
