Energy Democracy and Community Power
Issued in the blog on March 10, 2020 at 12:22:00.
This event, due to happen in Nenagh, has now moved *online.
The date and time remain the same: Tuesday March 24th at 7pm
*Those who register will receive an email with a link to join a Zoom webinar, with instructions on how to join. We still have a limited number of places for the webinar so registration is on a first come first served basis.
How can we build energy democracy in our communities so that everyone has access to community power?
Power for the People
Issued in news on March 09, 2020 at 17:34:00.
Power for the people - Renewable Electricity auction now open for community energy
The first auction for the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS 1) is open for applications from today, Monday 9th March, with the first auction due to take place over the summer. It is the first time community led renewable energy projects will be recognised and supported in Ireland.
Over 3,300 Gwhrs of renewable electricity will be auctioned for all renewable electricity technologies in this auction, which is expected to deliver a 30% increase. Communities are encouraged to develop their own renewable energy projects through the separate community preference category.
Kate Ruddock, deputy director at Friends of the Earth commented,
Spring Sunrise Sea Swim
Issued in the blog on March 06, 2020 at 17:38:00.
Don't you just love a challenge!
Join our next seasonal gathering on Saturday March 21st at Seapoint in Dublin for sunrise at 6.15am.
This event is free, register at the link to connect with other sunrise sea swimmers!
We began our seasonal sea swims last June, on the summer solstice - and in two weeks time we'll be on our fourth - coming full circle.
Spending time in nature is good for our mental and physical health. And swimming in cold water also builds resilience! At first, the cold water can be a shock - but enduring challenges like this on a regular basis makes us stronger. Each time it gets easier.
Growing Together, Time to Get Involved!
Issued in the blog on February 27, 2020 at 11:38:00.
The Growing Together project has been working with a group of youth agri-activists (which includes farmers, horticulturists, students, policy geeks, rural and urban youth from Ireland and beyond) to raise awareness and share skills on regenerative agriculture in Ireland and Europe.
One Future - Just the Beginning
Issued in the blog on February 26, 2020 at 18:39:00.
In the run up to the recent General Election, Friends of the Earth supporters pulled together, and reached out, like never before.
Thanks to our strong, and growing community, we raised more money more quickly than we ever have before, putting €25,000 into the pot for climate work during the election.
That fund allowed us to work with our partners in the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition to create the One Future Campaign for Faster and Fairer Climate Action, which included not only long-time allies but more recent ones like the National Women’s Coucil and the Union of Students in Ireland. This became the broadest civil society push for more political and government climate action than ever before.
Building Our Power
Issued in the blog on February 26, 2020 at 17:47:00.
In late 2019, we wrapped up our Climate Campaigners Capacity Building Programme, which was funded by the Wheel’s Training Links.
This project allowed us to forge new connections and strengthen existing ones with groups all across Ireland as well channel funds into grassroots activist groups to enable them to build capacity and reach more people.
Over 18 months, the programme delivered 53 trainings - reaching almost 1,000 people face-to-face. Trainings included Climate Communications, Cultural Awareness & Anti-discrimination, Non-Violent Direct Action, Intersectionality, Active Hope, Group Facilitation, Tools for Decentralised Organising, Creative Actions, Climate Justice and Extractivism - to name just a few. Click here to see a list of the trainings delivered.
Financing Climate Chaos
Issued in the blog on February 26, 2020 at 14:27:00.
Fossil fuel subsidies in Ireland: Financing Climate Chaos
What are fossil fuel subsidies? Why do they matter?
Friends of the Earth are part of a European project called Citizens for Financial Justice that seeks to inform and empower citizens to make the global financial system work better for everyone. Last year, we commissioned research on the financing of fossil fuels in Ireland and Europe. Producer subsidies work to cut the costs and risks associated with bringing new natural gas reserves into production, and they threaten to derail the holistic social and ecological transformation that is needed.
Event: "Is it all about the money?" Tackling climate change in a financialised planet
Issued in the blog on February 25, 2020 at 11:09:00.
We live in a financial system that does not compensate for the environmental and social damage it causes.Impoverished countries continue to face the worst of the impacts of climate chaos, and have the least resources to deal with it. Attempts by the UN’s climate conferences (COPs) to address this incredibly unjust power imbalance - such as compensation for “loss and damage” - continue to disappoint. Next Tuesday March 3rd, Friends of the Earth will host a discussion with Financial Justice Ireland this topic, in the Teacher’s Club, Parnell Square, Dublin.
Solar Schools - For the Love of Solar
Issued in the blog on February 24, 2020 at 22:09:00.
Voting is now live for the Friends of the Earth Solar Schools 2020 competition!!
Our 'For the love of solar' competition is deisgned to help schools all over Ireland to go solar. With thanks to our generous funders, next week we willl be announcing at least 8 schools as winners of solar panels, 4 primary and 4 secondary schools. But really, we think every school should be a solar school. In fact we think every school, community building, sports club and local authority should go solar, to generate clean renewbale energy right from their rooftops.
We've Switched our Power - and you can too?
Issued in the blog on February 20, 2020 at 12:18:00.
We have been working for years to support policy and legislation changes to enable people and communities take part in the energy transition. And now, it's becoming real! Our great friends and partners in the development of Ireland's first Community based Virtual Power Plant, Community Power have become a licenced supplier of electricity, and we've just switch our office electricity so we are buying electricity that is clean, renewable and owned by citizens and communities. And today, if you have a house, business or community enterprise, you can switch too!
