Category Archives: Sustainability
Decreasing carbon emissions without affecting the quality of life
There are a couple of simple ideas, which if implemented could make deep and long term cuts in our carbon emissions, while maintaining (or even increasing) the quality of life for all. In no particular order, they are: 1. Immediately … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Energy, Global Warming, Sustainability
Tagged carbon, climate, climate change, CO2, emissions, global warming, Sustainability
4 Comments
Doing our best versus doing what’s required
Yesterday afternoon, I was one of a panel of four from the ‘environmental’ field who met under the ageis of Common Purpose with a group of around 25-30 senior figures from the world of business, finance, the semi-state sector and … Continue reading
Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Sceptics, Sustainability
Tagged advocacy, Al Gore, climate, IPCC
5 Comments
Ireland’s looming bird crisis
Back in 2002, the parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity set a target of halting biodiversity loss by 2010. It is now 2010, the declared UN Year of Biodiversity, and although some endangered species have been saved, notably … Continue reading
Posted in Biodiversity, Global Warming, Habitat/Species, Irish Focus, Sustainability
Tagged birds, egret, extinction, habitat, habitat loss
1 Comment
Do you believe in miracles?
Bill Gates is for many the Dr Evil of the corporate world. His Microsoft behemoth has had a stranglehold on the world’s personal computer market for the last two decades, and wrung hundreds of billions out of users in the … Continue reading
Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Nuclear, Sustainability
Tagged climate, collapse, Energy, nuclear, Peak Oil, Sustainability
7 Comments
Copenhagen & beyond: where now for the EU?
The EU was marginalized amid the realpolitik which dominated at Copenhagen. As a consequence the Copenhagen Accord neither conceptually nor substantively reflected the EU’s negotiating position. In a recent policy brief (available here) I argue that this failure must lead … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Sustainability
3 Comments
OMG, what if the deniers are actually right?
Fat chance, of course, that the climate change deniers/liars from the assorted propaganda factories will, in the end, miraculously turn out to know more about climate science than, well, all of climate science. But hey, when we’re told that natural … 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
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
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
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
Now we’re getting somewhere
Earlier today, at a very well attended press conference in Leinster House, the all-party Oireachtas Committee on Climate Change and Energy released their report, ‘The case for a climate change law’. Committee rapporteur, Liz McManus likened the position we now … Continue reading
Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Media, Sustainability
Tagged Climate law, EPA, ESRI, Labour, Liz McManus, Media, Rachel English, radio, Richard Tol, RTE, Sunday Times
29 Comments
