We’re making a kid’s book about climate!
Issued in the blog on November 09, 2020 at 09:51:00.
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?
Climate justice webinar: watch it back + some more opportunities for learning and action
Issued in the blog on October 30, 2020 at 15:49:00.
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.
Explore our Climate Justice Read and Watch List
Issued in the blog on October 23, 2020 at 17:00:00.
Ahead of our webinar on Climate Justice next Wednesday, 28th October (which you can register for here) we’ve 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.
Close the loopholes in the Climate Bill
Issued in the blog on October 23, 2020 at 16:14:00.
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.
Climate Justice: A discussion
Issued in the blog on October 16, 2020 at 12:48:00.
Climate justice is a term that has been bandied around a lot lately. But do we really understand what it means? And when we use the term, are we really upholding the principles of climate justice? Despite its recent popularity, climate justice is not a new term. The ideas that underpin climate justice in its original sense have been developed over decades by social movements such as environmental justice, trade justice and peasant movements. Key climate justice concepts such as ”climate debt” and “equity” have been developed and refined, largely by movements in the Global South - often with pushback from the Global North. With that in mind we’re hosting a webinar at 6pm on 28th October to examine the meaning of climate justice. You can join us by registering for the webinar here.
Climate Bill is starting gun for the race of a lifetime to eliminate pollution
Issued in news on October 07, 2020 at 19:01:00.
Stop Climate Chaos responds to the publication of the Climate Bill
New Bill substantially improves 2015 law but substantial weaknesses remain that must be fixed by TDs and senators
The Stop Climate Chaos Coalition has welcomed the publication of the new Climate Bill, describing it as “a significant milestone” on the path to faster and fairer climate action.
The campaign group, which includes environmental, overseas aid, youth and faith groups, has been calling for a strong climate law since 2007, and coordinated the campaign that led to the passing of the 2015 Climate Action Act.
Oisín Coghlan, Coordinator of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition said:
"This Climate Bill substantially improves the 2015 law but substantial weaknesses remain that must be fixed by TDs and Senators."
On the eve of the Climate Bill’s publication, Stop Climate Chaos sets five tests for the Bill and outlines essential next steps.
Issued in news on October 05, 2020 at 17:30:00.
The new Climate Bill is due to be published tomorrow, day 101 of the new government.
Today, 5th October, is Day 100 of the new Government. The Programme for Government committed to publishing a Climate Action Bill in the first 100 days of the new administration. Comments from the Taoiseach on 23rd September, and from the Minister for Climate Action over the weekend, indicate that the Bill is due to be published tomorrow, Tuesday, on Day 101 of the new administration. In advance of the publication of the Bill, the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, which has been campaigning for a strong climate law since 2007, has laid out 5 questions we will use to assess the Bill and 5 steps the Government needs to take in the next year. Once the Bill is published, we will assess how well it addresses our 5 benchmark questions.
Watch it Back - Two webinars on Irish Climate Law
Issued in the blog on October 02, 2020 at 09:00:00.
We saw the power of legislation to hold the Government to account in August when the Supreme Court struck down the Government’s hopelessly inadequate 2017 climate action plan because it didn’t comply with the provisions of the 2015 Climate Action Act. That 2015 law was the result of 8 years of campaigning by Freinds of the Earth and the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition.
Now, at our urging, the Government parties have promised to publish a new, stronger climate law within the first 100 days of their administration, by 5th October. Ahead of this milestone, Stop Climate Chaos hosted two webinars to delve into Irish climate law and legislation.
5 Tests for the Climate Action Bill
Issued in news on September 28, 2020 at 12:42:00.
Friends of the Earth sets Five Questions for the new Climate Bill, as Minister Ryan announces it will be published next week
Responding to the announcement from Minister Eamon Ryan over the weekend that the outline of the Climate Action Bill has been approved by Cabinet in advance of its publication next week, Friends of the Earth today laid out the five questions the Bill needs to answer.
Commenting, Friends of the Earth Director, Oisín Coghlan said:
“The approval of the Climate Bill by Cabinet is welcome step. Friends of the Earth has been campaigning for a strong law to drive climate action for 13 years.
Campaigners call on Dáil Éireann to pass new climate law by Christmas
Issued in news on September 23, 2020 at 19:07:00.
Stop Climate Chaos launches 5 tests for faster and fairer climate action
Climate campaigners have called on the Dáil to pass its promised climate law by Christmas. The Stop Climate Chaos Coalition said the climate law is crucial but the Government needs to move from legal frameworks to real action as quickly as possible. The Government has promised to publish a new Climate Bill within its first 100 days, by October 5th. The campaign group expects the Bill to closely follow the recommendations of an all-party committee on climate action, and has set out 5 tests for the policies and measures that must follow the law.
Commenting, Oisín Coghlan, a spokesperson for Stop Climate Chaos, said:
