Blog Archive
Let's talk community energy! Webinar and book launch
Posted on November 30, 2020 by Friends of the Earth

Join us for a webinar this week! We'll be launching this stunning handbook for communities from Friends of the Earth Europe, and and exploring the opportunities for Irish communities in the energy transition in 2021 with Minister Eamon Ryan.
Community energy is key to action on the climate crisis, boosting local economies, and reinvigorating communities. We’ve been campaigning for clean, community energy for a long time. It’s been a tough battle at times but things are finally starting to look bright!
Permanent link | Categories: communityenergy • energy
TD Lobby for Faster and Fairer Climate Action
Posted on November 24, 2020 by Oisín Coghlan

Join Ireland’s biggest online TD Lobby for Faster and Fairer Climate Action!
Talking to your TDs is a powerful way to act on the climate crisis and right now there is so much to talk about.
If 1000+ people across Ireland meet their TDs online it will have a serious effect on how our government acts on climate.
So, are you up for it?
You'll be supported by Stop Climate Chaos and people in your local area.
You don't need to be an expert, you just need to turn up!
How does it work?
1. Register for the TD Lobby by clicking here. This will let you receive a Zoom link that you can use to join the lobby on the day.
Permanent link | Categories: climatechange
We’re making a kid’s book about climate!
Posted on November 09, 2020 by Claudia Tormey

We have some exciting news to share with you!
Together with Little Island book publishers, Ashley House printers and author Oisín McGann, we’re going to make Ireland’s most eco friendly children’s book titled; “A Short and Hopeful Guide to Climate Change”. And we need your help!
Today we’re launching a crowdfunder to raise €15,000!
All funds raised through this campaign will go directly into making this book. When the books hit bookshop shelves in the new year 10% of book sales will be donated to Friends of the Earth to support our work on climate. Can you donate to help make this happen?
Permanent link | Categories:
Climate justice webinar: watch it back + some more opportunities for learning and action
Posted on October 30, 2020 by Deirdre Duff

On Wednesday 28th October, we hosted a webinar to explore the concept of climate justice. Climate justice is a term that has been bandied around a lot lately - but we wanted to dig into what it really means. We’ve recorded the webinar so you can watch it back at your leisure. It’s just over an hour in length and comes highly recommended as we had some excellent speakers and panellists from the world of climate justice, who joined us to talk about their work and activism.
Permanent link | Categories: activism • climatechange • Education • Learning Hub • Webinars
Explore our Climate Justice Read and Watch List
Posted on October 23, 2020 by Deirdre Duff

Ahead of our webinar on Climate Justice on Wednesday, 28th October (which you can now watch back here) we compiled a read and watch list on climate justice that we’d love you to explore! So as the days draw shorter, why not curl up with a hot drink and pick something to read or watch from this list - it's got a bunch of articles, videos and even a documentary film on the subject of climate justice. A few weeks after Wednesday's webinar, we'll organise a more in-depth workshop to explore the ideas that unpin climate justice in more detail. Exploring our read and watch list would be good preparation for that event too.
Permanent link | Categories: activism • climatechange • learning hub • book club
Close the loopholes in the Climate Bill
Posted on October 23, 2020 by Oisín Coghlan

It’s hard to believe but Ireland could have a strong climate law before the year is out.
For the first time ever - and after years of campaigning - this is actually a distinct possibility. But - and this is what fills me with dread - there’s also a chance that this climate law could end up unfit for purpose.
Friends of the Earth, working with our partners in the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, have identified some very concerning loopholes in the climate law’s draft text. Loopholes that could undermine the law’s ability to drive emission reductions.
Permanent link | Categories: climatechange
A Shared Vision of a Just Recovery
Posted on October 19, 2020 by Oisín Coghlan

In recent weeks, Friends of the Earth was privileged to be involved in an amazing collaboration to produce “A Shared Vision for a Just Recovery”. This was published just before the budget last week and endorsed by 14 national coalitions and 50+ organizations from all sectors of Irish civil society, from trade unions to women’s and youth advocates, to community and homelessness organizations.
Together we laid out six principles for a fair and sustainable recovery from the social and economic shock of the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more here.
Introducing the joint statement to the media, I commented:
“The coronavirus pandemic has turned the world upside down. It has exposed not only major weaknesses in Ireland’s economy and health services but also deep-seated inequalities.
Permanent link | Categories:
Catch up on Community Energy - October 2020
Posted on October 19, 2020

After years of campaigning on Community Energy, things are now looking bright! Last month Eirgrid held the first ever Irish renewable electricity auction, which gave the go ahead to 82 wind and solar parks, including two community owned solar parks from our partners at Community Power.
Community Power is Irelands first every 100% renewable and community owned electricity provider. You can switch your home or work electricity provider to Community Energy and know that you are supporting the change with clean, green and sound energy.
Permanent link | Categories: communityenergy • energy
Catch up on Movement Building - October 2020
Posted on October 19, 2020 by Meaghan Carmody

The Growing Together project winds down for Friends of the Earth this month, but the group that formed through this project will continue on to advocate for food sovereignty and sustainable solutions to our broken food system through creative activities.
As you can imagine, the end of summer and harvest has been a busy time for the Growing Together agri-activists with seed saving workshops (including an online seed saving webinar that you can watch back here), farm visits and food sovereignty online theatre performances. They have also been busy researching and interviewing farmers around the country and have curated the latest research to establish a path to a more sustainable food system for Ireland.
Permanent link | Categories: activism
Catch up on No New Gas - October 2020
Posted on October 19, 2020 by Meaghan Carmody

We have 10 years to radically transform our energy system. Cutting our ties with fossil fuels to lower emissions and enable cleaner energy solutions is vital.
Through our work on the No New Gas campaign we have been busy doing extensive research and issuing submissions to European consultations to keep the pressure on decision makers to end fossil fuel dependency.
Permanent link | Categories: energy • gas