Earlier this year, Storm Éowyn left nearly one million homes without power, bringing widespread disruption to towns and communities across Ireland. It was one of the most powerful storms the country has ever seen, but was it a sign of what's to come? In this episode, we ask: are storms like this becoming more common, what role is climate change playing, and what might the future hold?
Meghann chats with Dr. Noel Fitzpatrick, a weather researcher and science communicator, who breaks down what’s really going on with our climate, why we name storms, and if storms are really getting worse.
We also hear from two very different sides of the storm. Limerick residents Neil and Maura share what it was like when Storm Éowyn hit their home. And from the other side, Siobhan Wynne (regional manager at ESB Networks) gives us a rare behind the scenes look at what happens when the well-known yellow vans are deployed, how teams prepare, respond, and restore power in the middle of a crisis.
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41:01
Re:Fresh (Food and Sustainability)
Do you ever wonder how much food we as a country throw away each year? It’s easy to overlook what ends up in the bin after dinner or at the back of the fridge. But, with over 750,000 tonnes of food waste generated in Ireland annually, it’s clear we need to change how we think about food.
On this episode, host Meghann Scully chats with three guests who are tackling food waste from three very different angles, through AI solutions, kitchen creativity, and by examining how we can eat more responsibly. Whether you're a home cook, a food lover, or just trying to waste less, there’s something in this conversation for you.
Maurice Mc Geehan, Head Performance Chef at the IRFU, talks about the importance of food education and how using everything, from the main ingredients to the byproducts can make a difference He shares practical tips on food preservation and reusing leftovers, showing that reducing waste doesn’t have to be complicated. He also shares some behind the scenes insights into the type of meals that keep Irish rugby players fueled for the pitch.
Liam Murphy, Country Manager at Positive Carbon, explains how AI food waste monitors are helping businesses track and reduce their waste in real time. He highlights the environmental costs of throwing food away and how technology is offering real solutions.
Niall Sabongi, chef, restaurant owner, and founder of Sustainable Seafood Ireland, discusses what sustainable seafood really means. From eating the whole fish to choosing lesser-known species, he shares how we can all make more informed, responsible choices when eating seafood.
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40:39
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40:39
Re:Fashion (Vintage Style and Future Thinking)
Fashion plays a huge part in climate change and staggering amounts of textile waste are created every year. It can be difficult to know where to start, and what will really make a difference, when trying to break out of the cycle of fast fashion and poorly made, disposable clothes.
So, on this episode, Meghann is joined by two guests approaching
sustainable fashion from different angles.
Aoife McNamara is the founder of her own hugely successful fashion label, which was Ireland's first B Corp certified fashion house. Aoife’s clothes are made to last and sustainability is at the centre of what she’s doing.
Cian Charlton runs 35 Vintage, a vintage clothes shop on Fade Street in Dublin. Cian’s business has grown from selling his own clothes online, to a shop in a former nightclub in Mayo, to his current premises in the centre of Dublin.
Meghann chats to Aoife and Cian about their businesses, the future of the fashion industry, and steps we can all take to tackle textile waste and make fashion a far more circular industry.
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33:51
Re:Charge (Irish Energy Past and Future)
A century ago, a newly-independent Ireland began a hugely ambitious project to supply almost all of the country’s electricity needs using renewable energy: the Ardnacrusha hydroelectric power station on the River Shannon.
On this episode, Dr Paul Deane, Senior Lecturer in Clean Energy Futures at University College Cork, sits down with host Meghann Scully to look at this remarkable achievement. Ardnacrusha is, as he argues, a testament to what we can do, what we have done, and what we could do.
Paul is fascinated not just with the history of Ardnacrusha but with the relevance it has today. When the power station was built, we were looking to a renewable energy source to replace fossil fuels and improve energy security and sustainability. A century later, we are at exactly the same juncture. Paul shares his expertise on the future of clean energy and while he is positive about the future, he recognises the huge challenges we face as a country and as a planet.
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26:16
Re:Create (Comedy and Creativity)
Climate change can be an overwhelming topic, and a cause for anxiety and fear. But for so many people, when there is nothing but despair and hopelessness, it can produce apathy: if nothing can be done, why even bother? Why should I try to live sustainably, why should I advocate for change, if it is not going to make a difference? Well, on this episode, host Meghann Scully chats to three guests who are using comedy and the arts to provide hope. They are very serious about climate change, but know that when it comes to changing people’s minds, comedy and creativity can play a far more effective tools than fear.
Comedian Colm O’Regan talks about his life and career as a self-declared “climate worrier”. He chats about using comedy to navigate despair, how failures can be much funnier (and more honest) than broad and empty sustainability claims, and about the importance of community resilience.
Re:Energise is an Irish sustainability podcast from ESB, exploring how we can shape a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, one conversation at a time.
Hosted by broadcaster Meghann Scully, this first season brings you voices from all across Ireland, from farmers and fashion designers to chefs, academics, comedians, and publicans, each sharing their unique perspective on sustainability in Ireland.
We don’t shy away from the hard questions:
– What would it take for you to ditch your car?
– Where do your clothes and tech really come from?
– How much food are we wasting every day?
From architecture to agriculture, tech to transport, Re:Energise dives into the everyday impact of our choices and the power of small, practical changes. Whether you're looking for expert insights or actionable advice, this Irish podcast on sustainability will inspire you to rethink the world around you.
Re:Energise is produced by ESB, one of Ireland’s leading energy companies, as part of its mission to lead the transition to a low-carbon future.
Ireland