Blog Archive
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
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
Hiring: Young FoE Ireland Food Sovereignty Events & Communications Officer!
Posted on October 01, 2018 by Meaghan Carmody
Friends of the Earth Ireland is seeking an Events and Communications officer to promote food sovereignty within an 18-35 age range in Ireland.
The post is half-time and based in the Friends of the Earth Ireland office in Dublin. Application details are at the bottom of this page.
Friends of the Earth Ireland is an environmental justice campaigning organization, striving to create a just world where both people and nature thrive. It is a member of the Irish Environmental Network, the Environmental Pillar, and is the secretariat of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition Ireland, a network of 28 civil society, youth and faith-based organisations campaigning for Ireland to do its fair share on climate.
We are a small organization of 2 full-time staff, and 3 part-time staff.
Permanent link | Categories: Activism
8 Female Activists in Cyprus Standing up for Environmental Justice
Posted on September 24, 2018 by Meaghan Carmody
Written by V'Cenza Cirefice
*Originally published on Medium*
Women are on the front lines of climate change as they are impacted first and worst, so it is not surprising that they are on the front lines of the fight against it. Around the world it is prominently women who are standing up for their communities, land, water, forests and biodiversity, while challenging projects of so-called development, from mega dams and mines to fossil fuel extraction. This is also the case in Cyprus, where strong female activists led the way in the struggle for environmental justice.
Permanent link | Categories: Activism
The Young FoE Europe Summer Camp
Posted on September 24, 2018 by Meaghan Carmody
Written by V'Cenza Cirefice
The Young Friends of the Earth Europe Summer Camp took place in Cyprus this year between the 3rd and 9th of September. High up in the pine forests of the Troodos mountains the international group of 55 young people shared stories of resistance in many different contexts, depicting the differences and commonalities in our struggles. Focusing on a theme of intersectionality, the camp provided a fertile space for both seasoned and new activists to explore this essential component of environmentalism.
Permanent link | Categories: Activism
Cara's parting words
Posted on September 19, 2018 by Guest Blogger
Our Head of Communications and Fundraising, Dr. Cara Augustenborg, says good-bye after a decade of work with Friends of the Earth Ireland...
This blog marks an end to my decade-long relationship with Friends of the Earth (FoE) Ireland, beginning as a member of the Board of Directors and later as Chairperson of the Board. Last year, I left my voluntary role as Chairperson to become a part-time member of FoE’s staff as their Head of Science, Communications and Fundraising -a job that has provided me with nearly non-stop adventure and education for the past 18 months. I’m now moving on to a full-time academic position at University College Dublin.
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