Pádraic Fogarty
@whittledaway.bsky.social
📤 5409
📥 1239
📝 763
Rewilding all the way, Ireland
Ministers O'Brien and Dooley "drive forward" legislation by taking us back to square one on Marine Protected Areas. Sure what's the hurry!
about 8 hours ago
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"while a handful of puffins on a tiny island may seem small, this moment is huge – it proves that seabird restoration works" A fantastic success story for puffins in Antrim!
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
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‘Myth is becoming a reality’: Puffins make a comeback at Isle of Muck after 25 years
Recovery project at Co Antrim reserve saw removal of invasive brown rats, the biggest threat to seabird eggs and chicks
https://www.irishtimes.com/environment/2025/11/14/that-myth-is-becoming-a-reality-puffins-make-a-comeback-at-isle-of-muck-after-25-years/
about 11 hours ago
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reposted by
Pádraic Fogarty
John Gibbons 🇵🇸 🇺🇦 🇪🇺
1 day ago
Very much looking forward to this conversation with
@whittledaway.bsky.social
around THE LIE OF THE LAND this Sunday from 2pm in
@booksupstairs.bsky.social
in Dublin City centre. Do come along if you’re free.
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"every year, bottom trawling releases 370 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere"
www.euractiv.com/opinion/the-...
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The hidden deforestation beneath the waves | Euractiv
Tackling the carbon emissions of bottom trawling is a fast and effective way to forestall climate change while protecting our precious marine ecosystems. But despite the minimal returns, governments across Europe keep subsidising the practice
https://www.euractiv.com/opinion/the-hidden-deforestation-beneath-the-waves/
1 day ago
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Hoping to see lots of people on the streets of Dublin this Saturday!
2 days ago
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Good news, but does NPWS have the capability to manage all this land? Its current (excellent) rewilding initiative is only a small fraction of the existing National Park
www.derryjournal.com/heritage-and...
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Area of Donegal the size of Monaco purchased as Glenveagh National Park expands
An area of Donegal the equivalent of the size of Monaco has been purchased by the National Parks and Wildlife Service at Glenveagh.
https://www.derryjournal.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/area-of-donegal-the-size-of-monaco-purchased-as-glenveagh-national-park-expands-5398176
2 days ago
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"Industrial fishing can extract in a day what a small boat might take in a year" Coastal fishing now involves very few fish and very few young people. If this is to change we need to say goodbye to industrial fishing.
theconversation.com/governments-...
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Governments can protect marine environments by supporting small-scale fishing
Nearly 30 per cent of the world’s population lives in coastal areas. A changing climate and biodiversity loss represent an unprecedented threat to these ecosystems.
https://theconversation.com/governments-can-protect-marine-environments-by-supporting-small-scale-fishing-265651
3 days ago
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The Social Democrats seem to be the only politicians willing to speak out in defence of our right to clean water. What happened the rest of them?
www.agriland.ie/farming-news...
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Social Democrats 'dangerously clueless' about Nitrates Derogation, says MEP
Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher claims the Social Democrats are actively seeking to sabotage the national effort to retain the derogation.
https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/mep-kelleher-describes-social-democrats-remarks-as-flippant/
3 days ago
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I'll be in
@booksupstairs.bsky.social
Dublin next Sunday afternoon, chewing the cud with
@thinkorswim.bsky.social
about his fantastic new book 'The Lie of the Land' 🐮 Book at this link ⤵️
booksupstairs.ie/all-events/j...
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John Gibbons in Conversation with Pádraic Fogarty | Books Upstairs
We are honoured to host a discussion between John Gibbons, author of The Lie of the Land, and fellow environmentalist Padraic Fogarty, on Ireland’s agricultural future in the face of climate change. J...
https://booksupstairs.ie/all-events/john-gibbons/
4 days ago
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Fantastic to see these initiatives popping up around Ireland. Oysters are such amazing creatures!
www.rte.ie/news/dublin/...
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18,000 oysters placed in harbour in bid to establish reef
More than 18,000 oysters have been deployed in Dún Laoghaire harbour in Dublin, in the next phase of an initiative to reintroduce the shellfish to Dublin Bay over 200 years after they became extinct f...
https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2025/1107/1542623-oysters-dublin-bay/
6 days ago
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Very encouraging to see small-scale fishermen demand better protections from bottom trawling
thefishingdaily.com/eu-fishing-i...
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Small-Scale Fishermen Demand EU Ban On Bottom Trawling In MPAs - The Fishing Daily - Irish, UK and European Fishing Industry News
Small-scale fishermen urge Commissioner Kadis to ban bottom trawling in marine protected areas under the proposed EU Ocean Act
https://thefishingdaily.com/eu-fishing-industry-news/small-scale-fishermen-demand-eu-ban-on-bottom-trawling-in-mpas/
7 days ago
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Rewild! marches on It was very nice to meet Will and his mother today and hear of their determination to bring nature back to their land
add a skeleton here at some point
8 days ago
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I discussed the management of our National Parks earlier with Minister Christopher O'Sullivan. There are positives but we're not at the stage where we can say that the State is managing Parks to a high standard.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
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Are we doing enough to protect our National Parks?
Padraic Fogarty, Ecologist and Author and Christopher O’Sullivan, Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity
https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22557508/
8 days ago
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On a recent visit to Poland I was told that lynx translocations struggle to make the news, such is the low impact of lynx
www.bbc.com/news/article...
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Northumberland Lynx introduction would ruin livelihoods - council
The deputy leader of Northumberland County Council says the authority does not support the plan.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1wlzqyn52wo
9 days ago
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"Intensive dairying is only wildly profitable as long as the sector is allowed a free ride to produce massive pollution impacts" The principle that the polluter should pay has long been central to environmental regulation but does not apply to dairy farming
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
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John Gibbons: Saying nuclear power is better for the environment than solar is ludicrous
The idea that intensive dairy farming is some kind of pastoral idyll with no impact on the environment has been allowed to take hold to the point that serious people are now suggesting nuclear reactor...
https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-41735775.html
9 days ago
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Only two years ago the European Court of Justice ruled that Ireland hadn't implemented the EU Habitats Directive while a number of other cases are outstanding. It's hilarious to think that there's anything 'gold plated' about our environmental regulations!
www.irishexaminer.com/news/politic...
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Micheál Martin says house building in Ireland is hampered by 'gold-plating' of EU rules
Taoiseach says 'going beyond what is required' is slowing down delivery of housing and other big projects in Ireland
https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41735286.html
10 days ago
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These are terrorist attacks and the people involved should be referred to as terrorists
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/20...
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Gardaí believe accelerant used to start fire in Drogheda asylum centre
Mother and her two babies among those rescued during attempted arson attack on Friday night
https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2025/11/01/twenty-day-old-baby-among-asylum-seekers-rescued-during-attempted-drogheda-arson-attack/
12 days ago
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reposted by
Pádraic Fogarty
Friends of the Earth Ireland
15 days ago
Join us at the National Climate March! We’ll be marching for climate justice, urging the Government to put people before big polluters ✊ Learn more ➡️https://www.friendsoftheearth.ie/news/lets-march-to-put-people-before-polluters/ 🧵1/
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Join the National Climate March
It's time to put People before Big Polluters!
https://www.friendsoftheearth.ie/news/lets-march-to-put-people-before-polluters/
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reposted by
Pádraic Fogarty
The Journal
15 days ago
Ireland's wealthiest households create significantly more carbon emissions than lower-earners, according to a new report from Oxfam Ireland.
jrnl.ie/6859962
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Ireland's richest 10% produce almost as much carbon as the bottom 50%, report says
Oxfam Ireland is calling on the Government to increase taxes on the rich.
http://jrnl.ie/6859962
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Over half of farms in West Cork fail pollution inspections. Clearly the fear of losing the nitrates derogation is not sufficient motivation to change behaviour.
www.southernstar.ie/farming/over...
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Over half of West Cork farms fail council water inspections | The Southern Star
A total of 55% of farms across the West Cork district have failed in National Agricultural Inspection Programme (NAIP) Inspections carried out by Cork County Council, the latest report shows.
https://www.southernstar.ie/farming/over-half-of-west-cork-farms-fail-council-water-inspections-4344756
15 days ago
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"Portugal expects to reach 30% of its marine protected areas by 2026" Still waiting for Ireland to pass a law to allow for the creation of Marine Protected Areas!
www.theportugalnews.com/news/2025-10...
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Portugal reaches 30% of marine protected area
Portugal expects to reach 30% of its marine protected areas by 2026, bringing forward its 2030 target, with the creation of the Madeira-Tore and Gorringe Bank Marine Nature Reserve, whose preparatory ...
https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2025-10-28/portugal-reaches-30-of-marine-protected-area/908393
16 days ago
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Great rewilding news from Scotland where beavers will help restore dynamic ecosystems!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
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Seven beavers released in Highlands' Glen Affric
Glen Affric is a large area of woodland, lochs and mountains near Cannich.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9q1xe0z3y8o
17 days ago
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Finally made it to the winterage festival in the Burren with
@burrenbeotrust.bsky.social
- a fantastic celebration of traditional farming, nature and heritage
18 days ago
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reposted by
Pádraic Fogarty
Eoghan Daltun 🌍
20 days ago
In Ireland • Nature is haemorrhaging • Water bodies are sick and dying • Greenhouse gas emissions from land are soaring • Flooding is ever more catastrophic • Etc... Because we've turned nearly all wild, natural habitat into barren monocultures of grass or shitka. Mass REWILDING is the solution.
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It's good news that the State is expanding National Parks, but not if the State is only going to continue business as usual. Conservation grazing is important but is only part of the solution to our biodiversity problem, rewilding is also important.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
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Why farmers are upset by plans to expand our national parks
Pheilim Molly, President of the Irish Natura Hill Farmers Association Senator Malcolm Noonan, Green Party, and former Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform
https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22554712/
19 days ago
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Another aquatic ecosystem, not 'at risk', or 'on the verge', but actually collapsed. "like staring at a face distorted by botched plastic surgery and trying to imagine the real person beneath"
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
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Ella McSweeney: Lough Derg is drifting towards the same fate as Lough Neagh
Lough Derg has been so reshaped by pollution that its original character is almost impossible to discern
https://www.irishtimes.com/environment/2025/10/25/lough-derg-is-drifting-towards-the-fate-of-lough-neagh-that-once-great-lake-now-all-but-dead/
20 days ago
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reposted by
Pádraic Fogarty
Save Lady's Island Lake
about 1 month ago
Ourselves and Green Foundation Ireland are hosting a webinar on how the current disaster has developed and how people can support our campaign to reverse this ecological catastrophe. We will have a panel of experts discussing key issues. Registration is free:
www.eventbrite.ie/e/saving-lad...
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I've been looking at the issue of goats in Ireland, including 'Old Irish' goats and their role in fire management. As part of this I visited Howth Head in Dublin where Fingal County Council has been using the animals now for a number of years 🐐
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
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Old Irish goats should be carefully managed to avoid over-grazing
Without a culling programme, it is only a matter of time before the population gets out of hand
https://www.irishtimes.com/environment/2025/10/23/old-irish-goats-should-be-carefully-managed-to-avoid-over-grazing/
22 days ago
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reposted by
Pádraic Fogarty
Ben Goldfarb
22 days ago
Fun beaver/fish interaction: When I approached this pond, I startled brown trout preparing to spawn below it (beavs filter sediment & keep downstream substrate clean). The fish dashed to the dam & hid in its base. Beavers created perfect spawning grounds: pristine gravel adjacent to dense cover! 🤯🦫🐟
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The Common Agricultural Policy: corrupt and unreformable. No wonder it's being allowed to wither on the vine.
www.independent.ie/farming/news...
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Greek farmers arrested over EU cash for fields that don’t exist
Police in Greece have arrested dozens of people in connection with an EU farm subsidy scandal.
https://www.independent.ie/farming/news/greek-farmers-arrested-over-eu-cash-for-fields-that-dont-exist/a1044327639.html
22 days ago
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It's shocking to see the breakdown in cooperation between countries that is pushing fish populations to collapse, but Ireland cannot take the high ground having illegally overfished its mackerel quota in the not too distant past.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
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Ireland in deepening row with Norway over proposed fishing quotas in EU waters
Minister seeks vote against access to blue whiting fishing for country that ‘robbed us of our breakfast, lunch, tea’
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/10/22/ireland-in-deepening-row-with-norway-over-proposed-fishing-quotas-in-eu-waters/
23 days ago
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Ex-IFA head works for FG... 9 ex-IFA heads endorse FG for the presidency... but they're apolitical 🤔
www.independent.ie/farming/news...
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IFA insists it remains apolitical as former leaders endorse Humphreys
The Irish Farmers’ Association has moved to reaffirm its apolitical stance following a newspaper advertisement published yesterday in which nine former IFA presidents publicly endorsed Fine Gael’s Hea...
https://www.independent.ie/farming/news/ifa-insists-it-remains-apolitical-as-former-leaders-endorse-humphreys/a1892466722.html
23 days ago
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reposted by
Pádraic Fogarty
Go Green
24 days ago
Record Amazon fires release more carbon than an entire country 3.3 million hectares of Amazon forest were impacted by fires last year alone.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
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Record Amazon fires release more carbon than an entire country
The Amazon has suffered its most destructive fire season in more than two decades, releasing a staggering 791 million tons of carbon dioxide—on par with Germany’s annual emissions. Scientists found th...
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251008030932.htm
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"The Nature Restoration Law offers a huge opportunity for amplifying and accelerating rewilding across the EU"
rewildingeurope.com/blog/europes...
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Europe’s nature law can be a game changer for rewilding | Rewilding Europe
Immediate action at scale is needed to restore nature across Europe. Spearheaded by the Nature Restoration Law, the enabling environment for rewilding has never been stronger — although meaningful imp...
https://rewildingeurope.com/blog/europes-nature-law-can-be-a-game-changer-for-rewilding/
23 days ago
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The EU will not now delay the introduction of its deforestation law which is a bit of good news given the war on environmental protections currently underway in Brussels
www.politico.eu/article/brus...
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Brussels U-turns on anti-deforestation law delay
The surprise decision follows a string of unexpected changes to the EU’s main tool to end deforestation.
https://www.politico.eu/article/brussels-u-turns-on-anti-deforestation-law-delay/
24 days ago
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IFA and Fine Gael move towards a merger
www.independent.ie/farming/news...
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Nine former presidents of IFA issue letter calling on farmers to vote for Heather Humphreys
With time running out and polls against her, Heather Humphreys has moved to lock down Fine Gael’s rural heartland in the final days of the presidential race by turning to some of the sectors most reco...
https://www.independent.ie/farming/news/nine-former-presidents-of-ifa-issue-letter-calling-on-farmers-to-vote-for-heather-humphreys/a1902083353.html
24 days ago
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A damning account of the rot within Inland Fisheries Ireland at a critical time for our rivers and waterways
www.irishexaminer.com/news/spotlig...
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Mick Clifford: Our rivers are not the only places to have been polluted under the IFI
It seems there has been a complete disregard for the protection of rivers and lakes under Inland Fisheries Ireland, writes Mick Clifford
https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/spotlight/arid-41725440.html
25 days ago
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reposted by
Pádraic Fogarty
Rhodo Rangers
26 days ago
Now you see me.... Now you don't! A photo from a
@rhodorangers.bsky.social
day out from a while back And an opportunity to reintroduce ourselves... Please like and share! (1/6)
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The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association have themselves in a twist over the small expansion of National Parks. They rejected nature restoration for farmers now they don't want the State to be doing it either.
www.agriland.ie/farming-news...
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State called on to 'immediately cease all plans' to buy hill land
The INHFA has called on the state to 'immediately cease all plans associated with the purchase of hill lands'.
https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/state-called-on-to-immediately-cease-all-plans-to-buy-hill-land/
26 days ago
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After visiting all eight of Ireland's National Parks some broad themes emerge. Things are vastly improved on a decade ago but serious challenges remain. This piece talks about what they are ⤵️
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ou...
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A visit to all eight of Ireland's National Parks
See how our expert ecologist rated them here...
https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/outdoors/arid-41721837.html
26 days ago
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The biggest global gathering of nature organisations, scientists and governments, which takes place every 4 years, has just concluded. Once again, there was no representative from the Irish government - why have we opted out of participating in these events?
iucn.org/press-releas...
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IUCN World Conservation Congress concludes in Abu Dhabi with ambitious vision for nature conservation
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 15 October 2025 (IUCN) – The IUCN World Conservation Congress closed today in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, setting the vision for nature conservation for the next ...
https://iucn.org/press-release/202510/iucn-world-conservation-congress-concludes-abu-dhabi-ambitious-vision-nature
27 days ago
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I really enjoyed Conor O'Brien's book 'the Living and the Dead' about some of the animals that have been driven out of Ireland and some that have made it back. His article here is a great summation... highly recommended!
www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
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You can’t choose the times you live in. And sadly we live in an age of extinction
I wonder who the last person in Ireland was to hear a wolf howl. Did they realise the magnitude of what they were hearing?
https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2025/10/04/you-cant-choose-the-times-you-live-in-and-sadly-we-live-in-an-age-of-extinction/
27 days ago
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Why do media and politicians continually present action on climate and nature as unpopular?
add a skeleton here at some point
28 days ago
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reposted by
Pádraic Fogarty
Fintan Kelly
28 days ago
Ms Humphreys claims that the scope of her “Slash & Burn Bill” was restricted to roadside hedgerows is totally false. The bill looked to remove the protection from all hedgerows in August & allow burning of vegetation in March. Totally dishonest & unpresidential
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
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Heather Humphreys was ‘unsympathetic’ to fears over change to wildlife law, say activists
Campaigners had ‘no access for discussion’ on ‘damaging’ Bill extending hedgerow-cutting season
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/10/17/heather-humphreys-was-unsympathetic-to-fears-over-change-to-wildlife-law-say-activists/
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Heather Humphreys was a disaster as minister in charge of heritage and nature. She didn't meet nature groups and seemed to have no interest in her job expect for when it came to weaking wildlife laws to allow more burning and hedge-cutting.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
?
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Heather Humphreys was ‘unsympathetic’ to fears over change to wildlife law, say activists
Campaigners had ‘no access for discussion’ on ‘damaging’ Bill extending hedgerow-cutting season
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/10/17/heather-humphreys-was-unsympathetic-to-fears-over-change-to-wildlife-law-say-activists/
28 days ago
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Remarkable increase in support of the UK Green Party - I'm sure there are lessons here for any Irish political party looking to including environmental issues in their platform
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Greens ‘on track’ to supplant Labour as favourite party in London, says Zack Polanski
Exclusive: poll asked voters to rank parties on how favourably they felt about them, with strong support in capital and among younger voters
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/oct/04/greens-on-track-to-supplant-labour-as-favourite-party-in-london-says-zack-polanski
29 days ago
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Two headlines, only four months apart, show the inherently unmanageable nature of industrial fishing. Species by species are ticked off the list... very few make it back
about 1 month ago
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"Continuing deterioration of rivers, lakes and estuaries risks arriving at a point where they become ecologically dead" - we know a number of water bodies are already at that point
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/edit...
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The Irish Times view on Ireland’s waterways: an ecological death
Nutrients from agriculture and poor wastewater treatment have led to 48 per cent of waters being rated below minimum standards
https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/editorials/2025/10/14/the-irish-times-view-on-irelands-waterways-an-ecological-death/
about 1 month ago
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Half of Ireland's waterways in bad shape despite years of hand-wringing and intensive meetings... what's going wrong?
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
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Half of Ireland’s rivers, lakes and estuaries in unhealthy state as standards slide again
Agriculture, sewage, chemicals and physical damage all threatening nature’s waterways
https://www.irishtimes.com/environment/2025/10/14/half-of-irelands-rivers-lakes-and-estuaries-in-unhealthy-state-as-standards-slide-again/
about 1 month ago
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I'll be in Galway later this month talking about Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). I'll be particularly talking about an MPA for Galway Bay - what would it look like? How would it work? What could we expect from it in terms of wildlife recovery? Register here ⤵️
www.eventbrite.ie/e/a-marine-p...
about 1 month ago
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