Category Archives: Global Warming
Copenhagen a new framework for climate chaos?
The original intention of Conference of Parties (COP) 15 in Copenhagen was to complete negotiations on a new international agreement on climate change to come into force before 2012. What emerged was a slim three page Copenhagen Accord with a … Continue reading
Time for prosperity without growth
If there’s one book you read this winter make it Tim Jackson’s Prosperity without Growth. We can have a stable climate and leave enough resources for future generations. Or we can continue with the fantasy of perpetual economic growth, with … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Energy, Global Warming, Sustainability
Tagged affluenza, consumerism, consumption, debt, economics, growth, James Nix, lending, The Spirit Level, Tim Jackson
6 Comments
Greens Flavor of the Day in Domestic Climate Policy
Amid the white noise surrounding last week’s budget, the government made a number of announcements with potentially profound and long-term implications for Irish climate policy. Much as the PD’s allegedly provided the sauce in the meaty Fianna Fail coalition sandwich, … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Sustainability
Tagged Brian Lenihan, carbon tax, Eamon Ryan, Greens
7 Comments
Latest recruit to Confederacy of Climate Dunces
One by one, they’re coming out of the woodwork. Occasional climate sceptic William Reville was the latest to re-surface, this time in his weekly Irish Times column. I read it with dismay; I genuinely have no problem with him having … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Media, Sceptics
Tagged climate, climate hoax, Climategate, CRU, Phil Jones, Reville, sceptics, UCC
33 Comments
Leaks no Impact on Copenhagen Blueprint
The leaking of hacked emails from one of the most highly regarded climate research units was perfectly timed to coincide with the start of the Copenhagen COP. Without entering into the minute details of just what was or was not … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Sustainability
1 Comment
Planning for the 21st Century: More Than Permission to Build
Planning as a concept has become synonymous with “permission to build” in this country. As in: “I got ‘the planning’ for the apartments on the flood-plain at the outer-rim of the commuter belt”. The original meaning – taking a strategic … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Sustainability
7 Comments
A sceptic on the couch
I’ve had my say on KennyGate, as have a good many other people (to my new cadre of hate-mailers, sorry for not posting all your anonymous spleen. Life’s a bitch, eh? Give my regards to Elvis). Meanwhile, a regular correspondent, … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Media, Sceptics, Sustainability
Tagged Media, Pat K, Pat Kenny, RTE, sceptics
6 Comments
John The Apostle Walks The Plank
Hell, it seems, hath no fury like a broadcaster scorned. After my recent adventures with RTE’s Pat Kenny, it was only a matter of time before the veteran broadcaster would try to even the score for what he no doubt … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Media, Sceptics
Tagged climate, climate hoax, climate sceptic, Holford, Ian Plimer, Pat Kenny, RTE
46 Comments
Copenhagen: As MAD as it seems?
“We’re eyeball to eyeball, and I think the other fellow just blinked” – these were the words of Secretary of State Dean Rusk at the height of the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962. It may be abhorrent to some, … Continue reading
Keeping our heads above (rising) water
In these dark November days, as parts of Ireland lie submerged after a virtually stormless deluge, it’s natural to want to look for some positive news. Images of tens of thousands of people using the public sector strike on Tuesday … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Sustainability
Tagged Copenhagen, emissions, Mary Robinson, Obama, RTE
13 Comments
Full steam ahead!
While the mud flies to the left and to the right, now, with just 12 days to the opening of the COP15 climate conference in Copenhagen, looks like it’s all hands on deck, women and children first, etc. etc. as … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Media, Sceptics
Tagged climate, Ireland, Media, sceptics, Titanic
1 Comment
Nothing new under the sun?
Around seven years ago, I read a history of the planet in the 20th century, entitled ‘Something New Under The Sun‘, by Georgetown University professor, JR McNeill. The book examined the biosphere, slice by slice, and concluded that, whatever else, … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Media, Sceptics
Tagged climate sceptic, JR McNeill, Pat Kenny, RTE
36 Comments
To the last drop?
Take a minute or two to study the chart below. It is just issued by the International Energy Agency, an industry-centric organisation not prone to engaging in eco-alarmism. But this is alarming, truly shocking in fact. The dark blue chart … Continue reading
Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Irish Focus, Nuclear, Sustainability
Tagged carbon, climate change, emissions, Energy, global warming, nuclear, Peak Oil
31 Comments
McCarthy: ability without sustainabilty?
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? This well-known Latin phrase from the poet Juvenal, loosely translates to “Who will guard the guards?” It came to mind when thinking about the Talented Mr McCarthy and his oversized shears, better known as An Bord … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Global Warming, Irish Focus, Sustainability
Tagged Bord, Bord Snip Nua, Colm McCarthy, Comhar, eco, economists, Friedman, Green N, John Gibbons, McCa, sustain, Sustainability
2 Comments
