Climate Actions for Election 2020
Issued in the blog on January 17, 2020 at 16:48:00.
The general election has been called for February 8th. We have three weeks to get everyone across Ireland talking to their local candidates about climate. And we need you to give and do what you can.
We need Faster and Fairer Climate Action
Much Faster: We need to be cutting our climate-polluting emissions by at least 8% a year, not 2% as planned, to make sure we achieve the Paris Agreement
Much Fairer: We need a substantial increase in government investment in public transport, warmer homes and community energy to make zero carbon options available for everyone.
Want more talking points? We've created this list to give you some pointers on what to ask your local candidates.
Solar Schools are Championing Community Power
Issued in the blog on July 26, 2019 at 13:09:00.
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.
Growing Together, Building Solidarity Through Food
Issued in the blog on July 25, 2019 at 12:28:00.
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.
Another Win for Community Power!
Issued in the blog on July 23, 2019 at 13:27:00.
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.
On the Road to Plastic Free!
Issued in the blog on July 23, 2019 at 12:08:00.
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.
Active Hope - Two Webinars and One Event
Issued in the blog on July 17, 2019 at 14:45:00.
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.
End of Term Climate Report: 'Little Leo is falling in with the wrong crowd'
Issued in news on July 09, 2019 at 11:36:00.
Climate coalition issues "end of term" report on Government's performance
Friends of the Earth says 'Little Leo is falling in with the wrong crowd'
Commenting in advance of the launch of the Stop Climate Chaos "end of term" report, Oisín Coghlan, Director of Friends of the Earth said:
Leo's Legacy: a hitman for the fossil fuel industry
Issued in news on July 04, 2019 at 19:00:00.
Varadkar chooses the climate vandals over the climate vanguard, as Government kills Climate Emergency Bill
Friends of the Earth has described An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as a "Climate Vandal" and a "hitman for the fossil fuel industry" after the Cabinet today used an arcane parliamentary procedure to prevent any further debate on the Climate Emergency Bill for the duration of this Oireachtas and this Government. The Bill, which the Dáil has twice voted to progress to Third Stage, would end the issuing of new licences to explore for oil and gas in Irish waters.
Responding to media reports of the Cabinet decision, Oisín Coghlan, Director of Friends of the Earth said:
Want to know more about 'Active Hope'?
Issued in the blog on July 04, 2019 at 12:04:00.
Active Hope is one of the books featured in our new Book Club!
We have three opportunities coming up for you to learn about active hope and how it can help sustain our actions in the climate movement.
Online Q&A with author Chris Johnstone - Wednesday July 10th at 7:30pm
First up, we are hosting an online Q&A with Chris Johnstone, co-author of the book 'Active Hope'.
Just like our previous book club webinars, you can join from the comfort of your living room, kitchen table or back garden! You can tune in from your landline, mobile phone or your computer, simply register at this link to join.
Environmentalists can't promote carbon tax increases if Government promotes new fossil fuel exploration
Issued in news on June 26, 2019 at 11:52:00.
Friends of the Earth
For immediate release
26 June 2019
Environmentalists can't promote carbon tax increases if Government promotes new fossil fuel exploration
Fine Gael position is "either immoral or implausible"
The Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership has told Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe at today's National Economic Dialogue (NED) in Dublin Castle that environmentalists will find it difficult if not impossible to promote an increase in the consumer carbon tax if the Government continues to block debate on the Climate Emergency Bill which would end the issuing of new licences to explore for more fossil fuels which we cannot afford to burn.
Speaking at the NED, Oisin Coghlan, a spokesperson for the Environmental Pillar said:
Promised mechanisms to ensure delivery and oversight are biggest innovation in Government climate plan
Issued in news on June 17, 2019 at 17:41:00.
Friends of the Earth
For immediate release
17 June 2019
New plan 'gets us to the starting line' on climate action Promised mechanisms to ensure delivery and oversight are biggest innovation
Friends of the Earth has welcomed the publication of the Government's new Climate Action Plan as "the biggest innovation in Irish climate policy in 20 years".
Commenting, Friends of the Earth Director, Oisín Coghlan, said:
"This plan is the biggest innovation in Irish climate policy in 20 years. The key is not simply the measures themselves but the new mechanisms to ensure we actually deliver them.
