Blog Archive
Beat the VAT increase on coffee. Plus a new series of Eco Eye starts tonight.
Posted on January 08, 2019 by Oisín Coghlan
Happy New Year.
I'm really optimistic we can make a breakthrough this year on climate action (see below for a preview of the possibilities).
But first, a quick life hack for coffee drinkers! It hasn't been such a good New Year for those of us who look forward to a take-away coffee at some stage during the day. The VAT increase in Budget 2019 has added 9 to 18 cent to the price of a coffee since January first.
Thankfully, there's an easy way to avoid paying the new higher price.
Permanent link | Categories: climatechange • energy • waste
Let’s make 2019 the year we choose a safer, healthier future.
Posted on January 01, 2019 by Oisín Coghlan
This is the full length version of an article for the Irish Independent
Politicians and the public are paying attention to climate change like never before. A number of factors coming together gives us the opportunity to make 2019 the year Ireland takes climate action seriously.
Permanent link | Categories: climatechange • energy
Friends of the Earth Keep Cup - Reduced Rate This Week!
Posted on December 11, 2018 by Claudia Tormey
Our limited edition Friends of the Earth Keep Cups have been hugely popular since we launched them as part of the Sick of Plastic Campaign this time last year.
To celebrate one year of the campaign we've decided to offer them at a reduced rate for one week only in the lead up to Christmas.
Until now we have been exclusively gifting our Keep Cups to new monthly donors and those who give €100 or more.
But for the next week only, if you donate €50 or more to Friends of the Earth you will receive one of our Keep Cups in time for filling your Christmas stockings!
Why have our reusable cups been so popular?
Permanent link | Categories: waste • sick of plastic campaign • waste reduction bill • reusable cup • stocking fillers • christmas presents • donate to friends of the earth •
It's happening. Are you in?
Posted on November 29, 2018 by Oisín Coghlan
Something is happening. And I think I know what it is.
The climate movement in Ireland is growing in passion and power.
Together, in the last three years, we've:
- Passed the historic Climate Action Act
- Passed a law to ban fracking
- Divested Irish universities from fossil fuels
- Got the Bill to divest the Irish sovereign wealth fund to the point where it will be law before Christmas
- Got the Bill to ban offshore oil and gas drilling to Committee Stage in the Oireachtas
All four of those Bills were initially opposed by Government and the civil service. But people power has tipped the balance towards progress.
Permanent link | Categories: climatechange
Friends of the Earth Newsletter, November 2018
Posted on November 26, 2018 by Meaghan Carmody
Welcome to our newsletter - catch up on what we've achieved over the past few months thanks to your support, time and donations. See what we're planning next and how you can be involved!
Community Energy
The way energy is generated, sold and used in Ireland is changing fast. A couple of weeks ago, we asked for your thoughts on buying, investing in and supporting locally owned renewable energy. A million thanks to those of you who took that survey. There is very little Irish research on this topic, so real data from real people is invaluable to us. If you’re interested in the results, you can see them here. 
Permanent link | Categories: climatechange • energy • activism
We can spark the solar revolution if we act right now.
Posted on November 23, 2018 by Kate Ruddock
Over 20,000 people signed our petition to support solar power in Ireland. Even Leo signed, while hanging out at Electric Picnic before he was Taoiseach. He agreed then there should be a fair payment for solar power.
And now it could happen, if you email your TDs today.
The Dáil will debate a draft law next Tuesday (the 27th) which would finally mean small-scale generators of renewable energy would get paid for the electricity they supply to the grid.
Will you ask your TD to support it?
to back community-scale renewables.
At the moment in Ireland if you generate your own energy, any you don't use it all immediately, you have to give it away for free to the ESB.
Permanent link | Categories: energy • solarschools
We are scared. We are angry. It's time to rise.
Posted on November 17, 2018 by Oisín Coghlan
I’ve been working on climate change for a little over 12 years now.
I have never been more scared.
And I have never been more hopeful.
On the one hand, the recent UN science report is genuinely terrifying [1]. We are currently heading for a catastrophic 3C of global warming and they warn it will “require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society” to avert disaster [2].
On the other hand, I have been inspired by wave after wave of grassroots activism in the last couple of years. Combined with dogged NGO advocacy, we have seen significant victories, and the wider public, the media and politicians have begun to take notice.
Permanent link | Categories:
Ready to Rise? Here are three opportunities for you to get involved and take action!
Posted on October 24, 2018 by Meaghan Carmody
Sick of plastic? Worried about climate change? Eager to take action but unsure where to start?
Then this post is for you.
Here are three concrete ways you can get involved in taking action for a better, safer, more just world.
1. Apply to take part in 'Mobilize. Resist. Transform. 2018', a 6-session Intro to Environmental Issues
Apply to take part by completing the form below:
Permanent link | Categories: activism • education • mobilization
Apply now to take part in Mobilize. Resist. Transform. Environmental Issues Course 2018!
Posted on October 23, 2018 by Meaghan Carmody
Are you aware of the existence of envrionmental issues, but unsure how they interconnect? Are you eager to meet like-minded people with whom to delve into these issues and find a point of intervention where you can make a change? Perhaps you have watched a documentary about climate change but don't know where to start in order to make a change, and that can be a lonely, scary place. So maybe you need to feel part of a community to feel supported enough to try to make those changes?
If any or all of this sounds like you, then register now to take part in Mobilize.Resist.Transform - a 6 week Autumn evening course run by Friends of the Earth.
Apply to take part by completing this form:
Permanent link | Categories: climatechange • activism
We're not going down without a fight
Posted on October 15, 2018 by Oisín Coghlan
Last Monday a UN scientific panel published an alarming report on on climate change. The impacts are worse than we thought and to prevent complete climate chaos we essentially have to halve our pollution by 2030 and reduce it to zero by 2050.
On Tuesday, the Government introduced Budget 2019, dropping plans for an increase in the carbon tax announced by the Taoiseach, and effectively "giving two fingers to the Paris Agreement" and everyone who is threatened by climate change.
It was a staggering failure of political leadership that put us all at risk of devastating climate impacts.
Permanent link | Categories: climatechange
