Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · 1h

This just heartbreaking....

Young lives cut short on an unimaginable scale: the 18,457 children on Gaza’s list of war dead www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...

Young lives cut short on an unimaginable scale: the 18,457 children on Gaza’s list of war dead

Every name on a list compiled by health authorities in Gaza of the child victims of Israel’s offensive

www.theguardian.com

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · 2d

On the 17 September, a JOC (CEE) heard testimony on Temperature Neutrality (TN).

We made a submission otlining the risks of adopting TN and calling for the release of the Land Use Review 2 report.

This submission:
📄 doi.org/10.5281/zeno...

Background paper: iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...

Submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Pitfalls of Adopting Temperature Neutrality as a Climate Target

This record contains the formal submission from Dr Colm Duffy and Dr David Styles (University of Galway) to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy, dated 11 September 2025. ...

doi.org

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · 4d

Well done @thinkorswim.bsky.social.

This is a bloody great read, had to pick my jaw up off the floor a few times!

If you ever write an autobiography, I will definitely read it.

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · 8d

Words do indeed matter.

It's just a shame that Rowling only seems to recognise the injury other people's words do to her, without ever sparing a thought for the damage she has done to the rights, dignity and safety of many others.

www.theguardian.com/film/2025/se...

‘She is ignorant of how ignorant she is’: JK Rowling responds to Emma Watson rift

The author has rebuffed conciliatory remarks made by the Harry Potter actor, saying Watson has ‘enthusiastically participated’ in the ‘trashing of women’s rights’

www.theguardian.com

Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · 15d

Giving Hamas a prize?

I can assure you, this is not about prizes, and they certainly do not hand out prizes for the starvation of women and children.

If you would rather see people starve than recognise their right to self determination, then you are broken.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

Israeli politicians react bitterly to international recognitions of Palestinian state

Experts say move by nations including UK and Australia won’t change government policy and could strengthen its grip on power

www.theguardian.com

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · 16d

Are you living with AI Creep?

It is an important part of my workflow, its a notepad, a tutor, and a sounding board, for me at least.

It is reshaping everything from the classroom to our mental health in suprising, and sometimes terrifying ways.

Here is my take.

medium.com/@colmduffy/g...

God in a Box

I’ve been thinking about AI for some time now, and I’ve been experimenting with it in my daily workflow. It is undoubtedly powerful. It has…

medium.com

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · 22d

Pretty rough viewing at times.

I am staggered by the levels of hypocrisy and self-delusion.

I don't know how you reason with it when the conclusions reached are so unreasonable.

'Our Genocide': How do Israelis feel about the war in Gaza? – video www.theguardian.com/world/video/...

'Our Genocide': How do Israelis feel about the war in Gaza? – video

Reporter Matthew Cassel speaks to Israelis in Tel Aviv, to see what they think of the war, famine and genocide happening next door, and the growing international condemnation against it

www.theguardian.com

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · 27d

John, whatever credibility and integrity you had was gone a while back.

Good luck to you, I hope you can find a better way of communicating with people.

It would seem to be part of your job.

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · 27d

John, you're calling for their heads and me a "dope".

I do want to engage with the issue, but not on those terms.

I don't doubt you have a credible argument.

I am just not inclined to listen to people who call me names or take extreme positions.

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · 27d

You're calling it malpractice. You are literally screaming hysterically rather than contributing to a debate.

Calling me names does not increase your credibility.

I am interested in both side of the argument.

Just not in being called names by a "journalist"

Grow up John.

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · 27d

Firstly, that's your subjective opinion. It's a podcast, not a courtroom.

Secondly, my main issue is not with your premise, it's your rage-baiting that I have an issue with.

There is enough toxicity everywhere you look.

Be better.

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · 28d

Malpractice? ... Tone it down a bit.

You can respectfully disagree. It's not like the world needs more polarised view points.

If you are going to contribute to a debate, then make a constructive contribution.

Stoking outrage is cheap.

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · 28d

I share concerns around tools that, misused, reduce engagement and broader understanding that you get from reading around topics.

But, perhaps there is a way to maximise the benefits and minimise the trade-offs.

There are some different takes in this podcast

open.spotify.com/episode/2bYR...

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · 29d

Not a lot I disagree with in John's big picture view.

John Gibbons 🇵🇸 🇺🇦 🇪🇺 @thinkorswim.bsky.social · 29d

Pod of today's extended interview with @seanmoncrieff.bsky.social on NewsTalk to discuss THE LIE OF THE LAND is now online

www.newstalk.com/podcasts/hig...

John Gibbons on ‘The Lie of the Land’ | Newstalk

John Gibbons is an Environmental Journalist and Commentator who is releasing a book called ‘The...

www.newstalk.com

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · Sep 6

This looks pretty interesting 🤔

Best I can tell, it's also free.

David Scanlon @sdgdavid.bsky.social · Sep 5

@dcuclimate.bsky.social is running a 6-part online Climate Change Media Masterclass this autumn, helping journalists and media pros strengthen coverage of science, policy, & sustainability. Starts late Sept.

www.dcu.ie/climate/dcu-...

Climate Change Media Masterclass series | Climate

www.dcu.ie

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · Sep 2

🪤 Its a trap!?

Does “no additional warming” reinforce systems traps?

I take our recent paper on temperature neutrality and put it through a #SystemsThinking lens — looking at how it reinforces the very traps we need to escape.

#ClimateChange #ClimateMitigation

👉 medium.com/@colmduffy/t...

Through the Lens Systems Thinking

No Additional Warming and Systems Traps

medium.com

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · Sep 1

There is nothing defensible about the cruelty being inflicted on, and the engineered starvation of, people of Gaza.

I can’t do much, but, like many other scholars, I have signed the Academics for Palestine pledge.

academicsforpalestine.org

(no title)

Academia Against Apartheid

academicsforpalestine.org

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · Aug 28

As if we needed another reminder that we are moving too slowly in terms of climate action.

The ability for us to alter this truly scary future is in our hands .... But not for long.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Collapse of critical Atlantic current is no longer low-likelihood, study finds

Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic fallout

www.theguardian.com

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · Aug 25

Living in the "post truth" era is pretty distressing.

I have as much faith in statement from the US and Israel as I do from Russia.

The truth is, Israel is intentionally starving an entire population. It is in no way antisemitic to point that out.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

France summons US ambassador Charles Kushner over antisemitism allegations

Kushner says in letter to Macron he’s concerned over ‘rise of antisemitism’ and ‘lack of sufficient action’ to confront it

www.theguardian.com

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · Aug 17

Sorry to disappoint anyone trying to polarise this.

We’re with farmers and communities, for a just transition built on fair, predictable policy.

“No additional warming” is a moving target and inequitable.

Set clear, stable, just targets to support a just transition.

archive.ph/8gbT3#select...

archive.ph

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · Aug 16

Disappointed to see our new paper being framed as an "us against them" fight.

We are contributing our work to the debate on Ireland's future in a respectful, evidenced based way.

There should be no issue with doing so.

www.rte.ie/news/analysi...

Row over 'temperature neutrality' vs 'climate neutrality'

A big academic row has broken out among Ireland's climate scientists over the commitment to a "climate neutral economy" in the country's national climate objective, writes George Lee.

www.rte.ie

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Reposted by Colm Duffy

Andy Reisinger @andyreisinger.bsky.social · Aug 12

National temperature neutrality, agricultural methane and climate policy: reinforcing inequality in the global food system

iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...

👀⛈️ #nzpol (it's about Ireland though)

Screenshot of the scientific journal page containing the paper: "National temperature neutrality, agricultural methane and climate policy: reinforcing inequality in the global food system" by Colm Duffy*, Carl Doedens, Róisín Moriarty, Hannah Daly, David Styles and Malte Meinshausen, published in Environmental Research Letters, volume 20, Number 9

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · Aug 14

More coverage of our new "temperature neutrality" paper 📄

The Irish Times editorial: “Govt must avoid backsliding” on climate policy
🔗 www.irishtimes.com/opinion/edit...

#ClimatePolicy #Methane #ClimateJustice #NetZero

The Irish Times view on climate policy: Government must avoid backsliding

How methane is regarded in policy terms has big implications for carbon budgets up to 2040, which must be signed off on soon.

www.irishtimes.com

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · Aug 13

Our work is making waves overseas 🌍

Academics warn Luxon’s climate target approach could worsen global hunger:

www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/pre...

#ClimatePolicy #Methane #ClimateJustice

@hannahdaly.ie @roisinmoriarty.com

Academics warn Luxon’s approach to climate targets risks worsening global hunger - Greenpeace Aotearoa

Academics warn 'no additional warming' approach to climate targets will worsen global hunger and cause catastrophic climate change.

www.greenpeace.org

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Colm Duffy @colmduff.bsky.social · Aug 13

What if wealthy nations could lock in high methane emissions and still claim climate neutrality?

That’s the risk with “temperature neutrality”.

Here’s the plain-English version of our new study:

medium.com/@colmduffy/h...

How one country’s potential climate backslide could block others from feeding themselves, and…

The Dangerous Allure of ‘No Additional Warming’.

medium.com

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