Tag Archives: RTE

Myths and mischief-making in renewable energy reporting

Posted on August 31, 2012 by John Gibbons

I couldn’t have claimed to be Ireland’s greatest fan of wind energy. Not because I don’t think it’s a good idea – it is – but rather, my concern is whether it will ever be deployed on a scale sufficient … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Irish Focus, Sceptics, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Media throws in the towel on coverage of climate change

Posted on January 24, 2012 by John Gibbons

Below, my article, as it appeared in last Thursday’s Irish Times (and fair play to the IT for running a piece that is openly critical of its own editorial policy in this area; that’s the true mark of a serious … Continue reading →

Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Media, Sustainability | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

A sceptic on the couch

Posted on December 6, 2009 by John Gibbons

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 , , , , , | 6 Comments

John The Apostle Walks The Plank

Posted on December 2, 2009 by John Gibbons

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 , , , , , , | 46 Comments

Keeping our heads above (rising) water

Posted on November 26, 2009 by John Gibbons

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 , , , , | 13 Comments

Nothing new under the sun?

Posted on November 19, 2009 by John Gibbons

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 , , , | 36 Comments

Now we’re getting somewhere

Posted on October 28, 2009 by John Gibbons

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 , , , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

There (still) is no plan B

Posted on October 21, 2009 by John Gibbons

One of my earliest posts on this blog, on December 12, 2007, was headed ‘There is no Plan B‘. The headline was taken from a quote from the then new Australian PM, Kevin Rudd to delegates at the UN climate … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Global Warming, Irish Focus, Media, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Blowing up a political s**t storm

Posted on October 13, 2009 by John Gibbons

Fintan O’Toole is, for my money, the most insightful commentator on Irish life, and has been for years. Like any of the rest of us,  he has his hobby horses, and I’ve often been disappointed that he rarely turns his … Continue reading →

Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Media, Sceptics | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Anthropocene draws to a close

Posted on October 8, 2009 by John Gibbons

The term Anthropocene was coined by Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen a decade ago to describe the new ‘Era of Man’, a distinct geological epoch shaped almost entirely by our actions and impacts. “The Anthropocence has yet to be accepted as … Continue reading →

Posted in Global Warming, Habitat/Species, Media, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A good day for Ireland, but where’s Copenhagen?

Posted on October 4, 2009 by John Gibbons

I was in the city centre on Friday night, just as the polls were preparing to close, and happened upon the hugely impressive illuminated Liberty Hall (hard to miss, in fact, and far and away the most dramatic installation the … Continue reading →

Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The onward march of ignorance

Posted on November 26, 2008 by John Gibbons

Despite there being no shortage of hard news to cover right now, RTE’s Prime Time last night took a curious detour to air clips from a propaganda film, Not Evil, Just Wrong, made by two Irish filmmakers. It is, for … Continue reading →

Posted in Global Warming, Irish Focus, Sceptics, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Thumbs down for Top Gear

Posted on July 23, 2008 by John Gibbons

The TV license currently costs €160 a year. That money allows RTE to deliver its public service commitment, including expensive programming such as Prime Time that, were cost and crude ratings the only consideration, might be ditched in favour of … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Irish Focus, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments