Daithí is joined by not one, but two special guests this week! Climate Ambassador Alumni Claire Romito and Alex Reilly share their experiences of being in the programme and the changes that it brought about in their lives. Though Alex comes from a background in television production, and Claire is a primary school teacher and entrepreneur, they share a lot of the same sentiments and thoughts around community climate action, offering up many wise words for current Climate Ambassadors and general listeners alike. From career pivots to tackling climate anxiety and the power of finding your own strengths and community, this episode takes an honest look at the imperfect, yet inspiring nature of individual climate action journeys and the ripple effects they have on our wider communities.
Thanks very much to Sorcha O'Carolan Murphy for support with research, design and promotion.
Links:
Thanks its vintage – Alex’s Fashion Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/thanks_its_vintage/
Teachingplans.ie – Claire’s website of teaching resources: https://teachingplans.ie/
Albert Certification for sustainable film and TV production: https://wearealbert.org/
1% for planet: 1% for the Planet | Accelerating Environmental Giving
Patagonia makes Earth its only shareholder: https://eu.patagonia.com/ie/en/ownership/?srsltid=AfmBOoq3dmBx_G4RbdxP1xdnNjlqMZHa--hjuobEgfMOkyBrzwaq6DZ0
Friends of the earth: https://www.friendsoftheearth.ie/
Virgin Media Sustainability: https://sustainablemedia.ie/case-studies/sustainability-in-programming-how-one-sustainability-project-in-virgin-media-tv-created-a-ripple-effect/
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44:17
S5E8: Action Aid – Climate Change in the Global South
In this episode, Daithí is joined by Karol Balfe, CEO of ActionAid Ireland and Mahesh Badal, the Senior Program and Business Development Manager for ActionAid Nepal. Our two guests talk to us through the realities of climate change in the Global South, highlighting the disproportionate burden placed on the Global South, both in terms of the local effects of climate change and the mitigation of those effects. With ActionAid’s recent report ‘The Hidden Truth – Ireland's Role in the Global Fossil Fuel Industry’ showing that Ireland is ranked the 14th highest global investor in fossil fuels, Karol explains how we got here and how we can get ourselves out. A fascinating episode that really highlights the complexities of Fossil Fuel Finance, and the difficulties faced by the Global South in accessing funding for transition to green economies and becoming more resilient to climate impacts.
Thanks very much to Sorcha O'Carolan Murphy for support with research, design and promotion.
Links:
1. Action aid Ireland: ActionAid Ireland | Charity Organizations in Ireland
2. Action Aid Nepal: ActionAid Nepal
3. Action Aid 2025 ‘Hidden Truth’ Report - https://actionaid.ie/the-hidden-truth/
4. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): https://unfccc.int/
5. UNFCC Funds - https://unfccc.int/topics/introduction-to-climate-finance
6. 2021 United Nations Environment Program report - https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2021
7. Global North Is Responsible for 92% of Excess Emissions - Eos
8. Ireland divests public money from the Irish Strategic Investment Fund from Fossil Fuels: Fossil Fuel Divestment Act 2018
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35:06
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35:06
S5E7: Meeting Ireland’s Growing Water Demand
Charlie Coakley, sustainable business manager of Uisce Éireann, drops in to discuss the sustainability framework of Uisce Éireann, Ireland's state-owned water utility company. We explore the company's role in providing clean drinking water and appropriate treatment of waste water, the challenges posed by climate change, and the importance of energy efficiency in water treatment. Charlie outlines the ambitious goals of the 2025 Sustainability Framework, including achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040, Biodiversity net gain on all projects, and implementing nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment.
The discussion also highlights the significance of social inclusion and public engagement in achieving these goals, as well as the future of water supply projects in the Eastern and Midlands Region, which would involve the extraction of water from the Parteen basin of the river Shannon.
Thanks very much to Sorcha O'Carolan Murphy for support with research, design and promotion.
Links
Uisce Éireann's website: www.water.ie
Uisce Éireann's Sustainability Framework: https://www.water.ie/about/sustainability/sustainability-framework
Ireland ranks 10th highest in the EU for domestic water use: https://smartwatermagazine-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/smartwatermagazine.com/news/locken/water-ranking-europe-2020?amp
Integrated Constructed Wetlands project at Dunhill, Waterford: https://www.water.ie/help/wastewater/wetlands/dunhill-wetlands
Sludge Drying Reedbeds: https://www.water.ie/projects/local-projects/carlow-sludge-reed-beds
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43:32
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43:32
S5E6: Eirgrid – The Future of Ireland’s Electricity Grid
In this episode, engineer and energy industry veteran Errol Close chats to Daithí and gives us an illuminating (pun intended) look at how Ireland keeps the lights on - literally. From how we trade power with the UK and soon France, to what happens when storms like Eowyn hit, Errol breaks it all down. You’ll hear why renewable energy makes grid management feel more like weather forecasting, how we hit a once-ambitious 40% renewables target, and what’s being done to get us to our latest targets. Whether you're into climate, renewable energy, or just curious where your power comes from - this one’s worth a listen. Thanks very much to Sorcha O'Carolan Murphy for support with research, design and promotion.
Links:
1. Eirgrid - https://www.eirgrid.ie/
2. Celtic Interconnector - https://www.celticinterconnector.eu/ga/
3. CRU (commission fo regulation of utilities) https://www.cru.ie/
4. Government Target of 80% share of renewable electricity generation by 2030: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/accelerating-renewable-electricity-taskforce/
5. EPA projecting only 68% renewable energy share by 2030: https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/climate-change/air-emissions/irelands-greenhouse-gas-emissions-projections-2024-2055.php
6. Data Centres are projected to account for up to 30% of Ireland's electricity demand by 2030: https://www.thejournal.ie/data-centres-to-account-for-almost-one-third-of-irelands-electricity-demand-by-2034-6658382-Mar2025/
7. The impact of data centres 'capacity payments' on energy bills: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/consumers-energy-bills-set-to-rise-further-as-more-data-centres-will-add-to-costs/a633724800.html
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37:52
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37:52
S5E5: Protecting Our Peatlands
In this episode, Daithí speaks to Hugh McLindon, the District Conservation Officer with the National Parks and Wildlife Service for Wicklow.
They cover lots of ground, from what makes a peatland, to how they come to exist and the realities of bog restoration in Ireland.
With the NWPS doing lots of work on restoring the Special Area of Conservation in the Wicklow National Park, Hugh tells Daithí about his own experience as a Park Ranger and the shift in culture that he has seen in his 30 years of working with the NPWS, a shift that has given him great hope for the future and enthusiasm for the work being done!
Thanks very much to Sorcha O'Carolan Murphy for support with research, design and promotion.
Links:
NPWS Website: https://www.npws.ie/
Blanket Bogs in Ireland Factsheet: https://www.ipcc.ie/a-to-z-peatlands/peatland-habitat-types/blanket-bogs/
Raised Bogs in Ireland Factsheet: https://www.ipcc.ie/a-to-z-peatlands/peatland-habitat-types/raised-bogs/
Ireland referred to EU court for failure to protect peatlands: https://www.irishtimes.com/environment/2024/03/13/ireland-referred-to-eu-court-for-failure-to-protect-bog-lands-and-curb-turf-extraction/
SUAS Project: https://suaseipproject.ie/
Special Areas of Conservation SAC map Ireland https://www.npws.ie/protected-sites/sac#:~:text=Special%20Areas%20of%20Conservation%20(SAC)%20are%20prime%20wildlife%20conservation%20areas,well%20as%20an%20Irish%20level.
The Climate Ambassador Podcast is a new look at climate change, incorporating what we have learned from the Climate Ambassador Programme, chatting to guests, while also investigating the overlaps into other areas of life. We will explore topics such as food, agriculture, biodiversity, climate change in the media, student activism and much more. We hope you will join us on our journey of discovery on a diverse range of topics, helping to connect the dots and share what solutions we can all take.
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