Dr. Cara Augustenborg
@CAugustenborg
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Assist. Professor Environmental Policy @UCDDublin; Programme Director @UCDEnvPolicy MSc; @PresidentIRL Council Of State; @CCACIreland Member. Views my own.
Ireland, United States
Joined March 2012
Tensions high as @EmbassyofRussia tries to enter residence during #Ukraine #UkraineRussia #UkraineInvasion protest
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Outside @EmbassyofRussia #Dublin now, where crowd shouts "Putin is a liar" & "Go away from Ukraine" #UkraineRussia #UkraineInvasion
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This morning a Newstalk presenter introduced this story saying "we've been through mass extinctions before so we can get through this". Let's be clear. WE have never been through a mass extinction event before & WE will not come out of this one unscathed.
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This is Crone Woods, County Wicklow, Ireland last night. Still burning this morning and awaiting water drops via helicopter, fire fighters tell me. 😥. #Forestfire
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Rant alert: I'm in that stage of life where I'm trying to get my kid into secondary school in Ireland, pouring through endless admissions policies with no guarantees of entrance into ANY school in Wicklow or Dublin. So depressing to see this kind of language in this day and age.
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RIP Sioda. 😢 I always looked forward to a cuddle from her & Brod on rare & special visits to @PresidentIRL's home. The Aras won't be the same without her.
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My take on a terrible day for #GreenParty in #GE24: A Fianna Fail TD once told me he "love(d) working with @greenparty_ie because they were like Kamikaze politicians" -i.e. They knew the would not survive next election so they killed themselves to get as much done as possible. 🧵.
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For last 2 years, @Independent_ie's so called political corr @oconnellhugh has repeatedly referred to me as a "failed Green Party election candidate" receiving 10k per yr in my role on Climate Change Advisory Council. He has never contacted me to confirm this. If he had. 1/2.
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And we wonder why more academics/women/diverse nationalities etc. don't agree to appear in media more. 🤔
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🚨 Staggering: 1.76million wild Irish salmon in 1975 down to just 171,700 in 2022! 🤯.#climatechange #biodiversityloss.#climatecrisis . RTE news : 'Catastrophic' drop in wild salmon returning to Ireland.
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PS. I'm not calling out the presenter specifically because this kind of statement is quite typical of media in general and reminiscent of #DontLookUp -keeping everything positive even when it is catastrophic news. We owe listeners truth and accuracy though.
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He would know that as a full-time Assistant Professor at UCD, I am not allowed to receive money for any G'ment advisory roles, so I volunteer my time to CCAC because I feel it is the most useful thing I can do to support Irl's transition. 2/3.
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Heartbroken thread: A new transport strategy to reduce Ireland’s dependence on the private car was due to go to cabinet today for approval. I started to get concerned when I heard TD Jack Chambers on radio yesterday saying there would be "no action taken soon" because (1/n).
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@aidan_bren 3. Most outrageously & unprofessionally, you are using your platform as @farmersjournal journalist to stir anger against 2 academics who have not commented on this research. Quite frankly, it's Trumpian. These women have enough directed at them & this is totally unnecessary.
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THIS! Prof @HannahEDaly "I don't think we can just agree to disagree. Facts matter." to @jackiecahillff on @RTERadio1 with @boucherhayes just now.
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I'm sad that the gender imbalance of this photo is distracting me so much from the importance of #NED2022 and recent @ireland_thinks poll on #climateaction. 😢.
Prof @AlanMBarrett and Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD are opening #NED2022. Both have mentioned the imperative of #ClimateAction. The @ireland_thinks poll today shows the public backs radical action to save energy, cut bills and reduce pollution.
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Saddened to hear the end of @EcoEye on @rte after 21 years. That team has done more to raise environmental awareness in Ireland than anything else on offer & were always fun to work with. Well done #DuncanStewart @Marcusdstewart KillianMcLoughlin et al.
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Dear @ESBNetworks @ESBGroup, I am currently waiting 30min for my turn to charge at one of only 2 fast chargers in beautiful Connemara with 2 more cars waiting behind me. If the G'ment expects all new cars to be #electricvehicles by 2030, please do better faster. Thank you. #EVs
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So proud of #DuncanStewart tonight as he accepted #FreedomOfDublin award alongside @FFFireland on behalf of @GretaThunberg -The FIRST environmental campaigners to ever receive this honour. Well done to Lord Mayor @caroline1conroy for proposing them! |
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@cormacbourke - Would be great if you could ensure factually accuracy on this in the future, and a retraction in latest article would be appreciated.
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Dear Irish celebrities who care about the future of our planet, please STOP endorsing car companies that manufacture giant fossil-fuel powered SUVs! It's not a good look! 😭.
"New #climate report is sobering & stops you in your tracks. you can choose to be more proactive & positive in how you approach eco issues”. Kathryn Thomas tackles crisis. by, um, driving & promoting a hulking 2-ton diesel SUV. Please, just make it stop.
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Bursting with excitement to present this new series on @NewstalkFM!! STAY TUNED! #DownToEarth.
NEW SERIES ALERT: Down to Earth with @CAugustenborg will be launching this Friday 🌍. With thanks to @Amundi_ENG
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Also, while I did run in local elections 10yrs ago, I've done A LOT in climate policy space since, so while it suits Hugh to report I was appointed to role because I lost a dinky election, the reality is very different. I did sent him my CV, but he has unsurprisingly ignored. 3/3.
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Amid all the #Budget2022 excitement, this also happened today at Cabinet 👇 Thanks for your enthusiasm @moranjustin. It's a huge privilege that I'm very grateful to @EamonRyan for having faith in my abilities to deliver on.
Great to see @CAugustenborg appointed to the Climate Change Advisory Council! It’s not all about engineering, it’s about how we communicate and few better!.
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Dare we mention the c word?.
Drove into Clifden for some supplies. They’ve since closed all the roads. One elderly local said he has never seen anything like the flooding today.
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For context, we're almost a third of the way through 1st #carbonbudget & yet to agree how to divide the "pollution pie". To say it's a dreadful start on IRL's effort to go from climate laggard to leader would be an understatement. via @rte @RTENewsPaulC.
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This *should* be headline news tomorrow morning, but who thinks it will be? . "For both poles to show such heating at once is unprecedented.". #ClimateEmergency #ClimateCrisis.(via @IrishTimes)
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Here ya' go @WilliamsJon @rtenews - The world's MOST famous climate scientist has now offered to chat with @rte. I'm very interested to see will you take him up on his generous offer in your new efforts to "do better" in covering climate change. .
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This inversion layer hanging over Bray main street today is an example of why #SmokyCoal is banned in 40+ urban areas in Ireland & to be banned nationally, but also why we need to stop burning *hit in general for heat. So bad for asthmatics, elderly & covid sufferers. #AirQuality
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@jswatz Great thread. The scary thing is that I have received real emails from students with these sorts of arguments about why they deserve higher grades! 😳.
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Next time someone tells you Ireland is environmentally "sustainable" or "doing our fair share" on environmental issues, please send them this. 😒.
This is quite a slap in the face from Brussels for Ireland's care for the environment. It comes from the Director in charge of environmental implementation at the Commission speaking at a recent online conference. Thread . .
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While we're all taking a long overdue moment to recall the legacy @EamonRyan leaves behind in politics, I want to thank him for always seeing the best in everyone. When I met him in 2013, he was the first person to encourage me to speak publicly about my climate work. 1/x
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In response to @simoncoveney reply when asked about turf on @NTBreakfast just now & the need to "consult communities", Gment DID go through public consultation on this last year AND has been doing so for past 30yrs. Please stop using "bring people with us" as an excuse to delay.
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Many people deserve to take a bow for today's #ClimateBill championed by @EamonRyan, strengthened by civil society & politicians from all parties. It lays the foundation to finally bend the emissions curve IF accompanied by strong policies and implementation. Today, I have hope.
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@lichamber You're factually incorrect. Even with RenE doing everything it can as fast as possible, we still require all other sectors to contribute to emissions reductions as part of our LEGALLY BINDING climate legislation. See carbon budgets, which your party approved.
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If @epaireland is prevented from giving dietary sustainability recommendations, by same rule, nor can they give advice to move away from cars to public/active transport as car sales are good for economy too. This kind of cancel culture only ends with a dead planet. .
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When a person of influence advises us to fly less, we don't see media commentary from airlines critical of that person for travel advice. So why is it EVERY TIME Irish leaders suggest we adopt more sustainable diets, we have to entertain similar commentry from livestock sector?.
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Ireland's Government declared a climate and biodiversity emergency in 2019, but let's not rush into anything or, God forbid, discuss anything controversial like transport strategy. @foeireland @fiannafailparty @FineGael @LeoVaradkar @MichealMartinTD .
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THIS is why nothing ever changes, folks. While those who want #systemchange work in a voluntarily or part time capacity, those that want business-as-usual have full time lobbyists to do their bidding. If you want a sustainable future, start investing in NGOs asap, people!.
Co-ordinated 3-pronged attack on @rte for daring to assert its journalistic independence in @farmersjournal . @Bordbia & @NtlDairyCouncil whipped into line by @IFAmedia to offer monolithic support. This, folks, is how powerful lobby groups bend public policy to their will
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@sendboyle @Independent_ie @oconnellhugh 100% agree. Why would any woman or man put themselves forward for election if they see examples that no matter what else they do even 10yrs later, all they will ever be seen as is a failed candidate. .
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It takes a big person to tweet something like this. Good to see @rtenews is in capable hands via @WilliamsJon 👏👏.
We were wrong not to make clear connection between recent extreme weather events & climate change. Sin of omission & reported in good faith. But truth matters. So when we get it wrong, we should say so. Lesson learned. Work to do.
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"we have to bring everyone with us" - As lovely and noble as that sounds, it's become code for delay tactics by climate unfriendly politicians (2/n) :-(.
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Those asked to speak on media this week about agri sector targets have been dealing w/ this kind of personal trolling all week. Worth mentioning the people you are hearing speak out for more climate protection are not paid for such media appearances & gain nothing but this hassle.
@ShaneMcAuliffe1 @HannahEDaly Watch out Shane, it's at this stage they pull out the misogyny card.
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Feeling like I stepped into an alternate universe this morning listening to @RTERadio1 this morning. Coverage of #COP26 is outstanding, complete with excellent interview with @MichealMartinTD on climate action & a story about what China is doing on climate and air quality! 🙏
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@stevensgreen1 @noonan_malcolm @EamonRyan @greenparty_ie Whatever the outcome of today, @greenparty_ie TDs should be proud of their 5 years of service to our country. I just pray other parties will be as hard working and diligent when it comes to climate & environment in next G'ment. 5/5.#GE2024 #GE24.
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Delighted for my friend and colleague Dr. Paul Deane @UCC @MaREIcentre for winning the "Champion of Renewables" award at @WindEnergyIRL awards tonight. 💪#ClimateAction
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Strong statement by Chair of Ireland's Climate Change Advisory Council regarding the sectoral emissions targets agreed last night & concern that it is not consistent with objective of IRL's Climate Act for 51% emissions reductions by 2030.
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Interesting links drawn between transport mode & lonliness in this piece:."We all love our cars, but they are little metal jails in some ways. And I was taken aback by the difference using the bike made".
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Should be front page news, but probably won't be. Ice sheet melt on track with ‘worst-case climate scenario’ 😔#climatechange @esa
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On #RTEPT climate episode, what makes me most sad is the "we need to. " statements were all things we/civil society have been asking for for at least a decade, maybe 2, even small things like solar feed in tariff. It's an exhausting & heart-breaking #brokenrecord.
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Turning off X for a while but thanks to all those who have sent msgs of support.
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Can someone please explain the justification for schools to remain closed for 2 more months when covid numbers are coming down so quickly and nearly back at October levels (when schools were open)?? @NormaFoleyTD1 @MichealMartinTD .
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Belated thanks to judges of Irish #WomensAwards this year for granting me the 2023 "Services to Science & Technology" award. It was particularly great to have work in #climatecommunications recognised in this category. ❤️
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You know Christmas is off to a great start when your 12 yr old hands you this as a "Letter to Santa" 🙈
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How well is Ireland's Government meeting their climate & environmental commitments? 🧵It's a truly "mixed bag". Here's our second annual #ReportCard for @foeireland. Thanks to fellow judges @diarmuidtorney @DCU & Dr. Paul Deane @MaREIcentre .
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VERY disappointed in @Europarl_EN MEPs last night, particularly IRL's @BarryAndrewsMEP and @BillyKelleherEU, voting to include gas in the Just Transition Fund, clearly missing the point that it's intended to transition AWAY from fossil fuels. 😠.
@HennaVirkkunen @vonderleyen "Renew and EPP closed ranks to let gas in. MEPs rendered their ‘climate emergency’ declaration null and void in one fell swoop last night, voting in plenary to allow fossil gas to get money from the EU Just Transition fund."
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I know this isn't really "news" anymore, but I still feel obliged to post because I still care. RT if you do too. World sees hottest September on record - scientists #climatechange via @RTENewsNow.
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Last September, I was invited to speak at @fiannafailparty think in, a huge honour to be on stage w/ @COSullivanTD & @MichealMartinTD. Much of discussion was how TDs could be "climate brave" & stand up to pressure in addressing #ClimateEmergency. Deputies, THIS IS THAT MOMENT!.
Why is Eamon Ryan, in demanding a 30% reduction in agriculture emissions, being painted as the lunatic and others as the moderate sensible ones, asks @McConnellDaniel
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Curious how @rtenews cherry pick 2007 @IPCC_CH quote as defense for their failure to connect dots b/w extreme weather & #climatechange. If they'd bother to interview IPCC @ICARUS_Maynooth @climpeter, he could tell them how attribution science has progressed enormously in 14yrs🧵.
IPCC clear that determining whether specific, single extreme weather event due to climate change, “difficult, if not impossible.” Yes, context matters. But evidence-based. I’ve said we will do better. And we will.
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I listened to @andreagilligan @NewstalkFM interview #Doonbeg residents today on how #Trump was great for profile. I still feel sick -Lest we not forget, this is a man who has put children in cages & separated 545 of them from their parents. #VoteHimOut .
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". there is no study showing that Irish farmers are the “most carbon-efficient food producers in the world”. -@thejournal_ie . PS: the atmosphere doesn't care how efficient we are anyway, only that the total volume of emissions is still going up! .
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Single most tedious Irish media question too - A quarter of the world's emissions come from countries like IRL, which contribute less than 2% each, so if us little guys don't all chip in too, collectively we are as big/more of a contributor to #climatechange as China, USA #COP26.
Single most tedious Irish Twitter response to #COP26: “Why bother. Ireland’s emissions are insignificant when compared to China’s”. There are 111 countries in the world with populations smaller than Ireland. Half the countries of the world.
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I'm noticing a lot of fear mongering re new #BusConnects routes, esp. by local opposition policiticians in my community. OAPs are being told they will no longer be able to get to hospitals etc. Before stoking fear, check out this @BusConnects map. 1/2.
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We are officially on the road to bending the emissions curve in Ireland. I'm grateful I got to be a small part of this historic decision as part of the Climate Change Advisory Council. Now the real work begins! #ClimateAction #ClimateCrisis #climatechange #cop26.
New - carbon emissions to reduce by 4.8% annually for Carbon Budget 1 running 2021-2025; carbon emissions to reduce by 8.3% annually for CB-2 2026-2030. So substantially more reductions slated in CB2 over CB1 @rtenews.
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I'll be on @Newstalk @NTBreakfast shortly to talk about extreme heat across Europe this month and whether we should be concerned. ProTip: When you hear climatologists calling weather "totally insane" "absolute madness", you might want to pay attention.
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On #SmokeyCoalBan and #TurfWars @NewstalkFM's Ciara Kelly nails it on @NTBreakfast just now saying: "We are no different than Brazil and Bolsonaro" if we continue to burn dirty fuels like smokey coal and turf.
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The annual environmental #ReportCard of Government commissioned by @foeireland is out today - An extensive process I always enjoy chairing. I'll be on @RTERadio1 @TodaywithClaire from 11:30 to discuss. Further media coverage in this 🧵
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Today's @IPCC_CH #ClimateReport says our goal of staying under 1.5C warming is now lost. Here are the parts of Dublin we will say good-bye to as a result of sea level rise in failing to stay below 1.5. I'll be on @TonightVMTV this evening to discuss. #ClimateChange #IPCCReport
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Fascinating and well researched report from @irishexaminer on IRL's role in global infant formula market. We need to talk more about this! .
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What a lovely tribute to #marian on @RTEOne. My daughter enjoyed learning more about the legend she had the privilege of meeting just before she left us. @RTERadio1
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I'm thrilled to take on the role of Programme Director for UCD's MSc @UCDEnvPolicy. We're currently accepting applications for both the full and part-time MSc programmes. More information and link to application at:
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@stevensgreen1 @noonan_malcolm @EamonRyan @greenparty_ie You can criticise their manifesto (I have); their election campaign; etc. But ultimately, I think the @greenparty_ie downfall is simply due to putting all their time into things that will massively benefit us in the future, though they may not be obvious now. 4/5.
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Peat takes 1000s of years to accumulate the stored carbon that helps protect us from an impending #ClimateCrisis, but it only takes a week of tragic humanitarian crisis for an opportunistic politician to suggest its destruction. unbelievable!.
🇮🇪 Government should review ban on commercial peat harvesting against the backdrop of war in Europe & consequent fuel & energy challenge.
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Time to bring my favourite photo of my little girl back into circulation because I can be proud of America again!! Thank you to 70million+ beautiful voters!! 🇺🇸 #election2020 #BidenHarris2020
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This is no different than burning the Amazon for agricultural use so why do we allow it here? Listen to @whittledaway & I discuss in Episode 6 of Down to Earth @NewstalkFM.
Lot of burning in the Wicklow hills tonight. There’s no plan to sort this shit, it’s almost socially acceptable. Job for the next generation
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@NewstalkFM @paulmurphy_TD @kierancuddihy @TheHardShoulder Thank you for your intervention, @paulmurphy_TD. What a woeful, inaccurate, privileged contribution from the fossil fuel rep. Straight out of a 1990s climate denial playbook. 😔.
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I guess I shouldn't be surprised to read @foeireland @OisinCoghlan press release that transport agenda item was pulled from cabinet meeting today "as it was deemed too “controversial” by @FineGael @fiannafailparty. (3/n).
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Big thanks to @ed_hawkins for updating this spirograph with latest data. It's one of the most powerful teaching tools I use to convey how little time we have left to address the #climatecrisis. Many more useful graphics here: #ClimateChange
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Nice to see #climatechange covered on #thelatelateshow via interview with Minister #EamonRyan. I'm told last time the topic was covered on the show was 2007 when it included a climate denier. Just hope it's not another 17yrs before this crisis is discussed again.
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Seriously. the most beautiful country on the planet, and we treat it like crap. 😥.
Sometimes you despair at lack of civic pride in Ireland. Scene at park next to River Dodder in Milltown earlier
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@aidan_bren You are seriously misinterpreting the science of this particular research by ignoring the other sources of carbon from these farming systems in your conclusion. And why the need to personally attack two academics as part of your scientifically incorrect tweet?.
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Ireland should be proud to see our own @climpeter @ICARUS_Maynooth at top table today for @IPCC_CH #IPCC AR6 launch today. No easy task coordinating contributions from nearly 800 authors, synthesizing over 100,000 studies & getting approval from nearly 200 G'ments on climate! 🙌
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@RTE_PrimeTime @barrycummins12 More like, when will #rtept stop living in the stone age and frame cycling as something postive for health, economy, air quality & #climatechange? #justsaying.
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More of this please @rtenews 👏.
Record-shattering heatwaves caused by pace of warming, study finds.
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A large cohort of Ireland's climate communicators turned up in my hometown of Bray last night to see @colmoregan's brilliant #ClimateWorrier for @BrayComedyFest. -A must see & read for anyone needing a tonic from #climateanxiety. Thanks to @HarbourBar for hosting a great night!
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If true, this is BIG!.
BUDGET 2023: Understand Dep Environment is to fund solar panels to be installed on the roof of every school in the country. Initiative will help reduce emissions and energy costs across school network. Something @OisinCoghlan called for in our recent #fivedegreesofchange episode.
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I love Paris (I mean @rte) in the Spring time 😉 Heading in to meet @sharontobin for @rtenews at 6 for #EarthDay
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Nerd alert: While on board @StenaLine @Rosslareuroport to Cherbourg ferry , I ran the numbers of how it compares to flying, and I'm happy with my decision for #SlowTravel. 👇 Read more in my first blog post from a week of learning in France here:
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In NON fear mongering words: When Greens create regs to protect environment, NGOs @AnTaisce hold Gment accountable through justice system. They seem devoted to nature, ensuring future generations don't inherit scorched Earth & bring Gment to court when environment is in jeopardy.
"When the Greens get their way with more regulations their extremist wing, An Taisce, heads to the courts to try and finish us off. They seem obsessed with shutting down farming, particularly dairying and bringing the Government to court to quash the Nitrates Action Programme."
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@aidan_bren 1. You are ignoring soil type & history (I'll let the researchers themselves elaborate further on that).2. Your policy inference is incorrect because it ignores the additional methane carbon coming from dairy, far larger than SOC from tillage 1/2.
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On carbon leakage. 🧵: As usual, well known dairy reps are currenrly trying to instigate a twitter pile on following my @rtecountrywide interview this morning, regarding Ireland's new #carbonbudget (1/x).
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