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simonbursell.bsky.social
Simon Bursell
@simonbursell.bsky.social
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Reposted by Simon Bursell
whittledaway.bsky.social
If Denmark can get farmers to agree to dropping their nitrates derogation, adopting a carbon tax on meat, government promotion of plant-based diets and rewilding a fifth of the country - why can't Ireland?

www.irishtimes.com/science/2026...
Denmark’s plan for a greener country offers ideas worth Ireland’s attention
Carbon tax on farming and taking land out of agricultural production among bold moves by the Danes
www.irishtimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
whittledaway.bsky.social
A big day for the sea as the treaty to allow for the creation of Marine Protected areas on the high seas comes into force today!

www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/...
UN treaty to protect ‘extraordinary’ marine life due to come into force
World-first pact aims to protect 10 million species from threats like climate change, overfishing and deep-sea mining.
www.aljazeera.com
January 17, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
volts.wtf
The scale of China's clean energy buildout is difficult to fathom. Check out these pictures.
Photos Capture the Breathtaking Scale of China's Wind and Solar Buildout
e360.yale.edu
January 16, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
hannahdaly.ie
Delaying the 2026 Climate Action Plan is deeply concerning. Efforts are already way off-track & the CAP is the main tool for closing the delivery gap this decade. Saying we must wait for post-2030 carbon budgets is conceptually backwards - delay now makes future targets harder and more expensive.
January 16, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
georgemonbiot.bsky.social
If the Palestine Action hunger strikers die - which they could do at any moment, as they are now very close to the end - it will be the government that killed them. Today’s column explains why. Please share, and write urgently to your MP.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Let’s be clear: if the Palestine Action hunger strikers die, the government will bear moral responsibility | George Monbiot
The three remaining hunger strikers have been convicted of nothing. Yet with astonishing cruelty, ministers refuse to listen to their reasonable demands, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
saoirsemc.bsky.social
There's a bill to ban hunting foxes with packs of dogs coming before the dail on Dec 17th.
Fuck 'rural pursuits' sign and share and contact your FF, FG, and SF TDs and tell them to support the ban my.uplift.ie/petitions/pe...
Petition to Ban Fox Hunting in Ireland
Can you support this campaign to bring in legislation banning the hunting of foxes using packs of dogs and horses?
my.uplift.ie
November 17, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
thinkorswim.bsky.social
An Amoc shutdown later this century could see millions of Irish people become #climate migrants; this is something our politicians talking tough on cracking down on migration to Ireland should keep in mind, as I discuss in today's @irishexaminer.bsky.social

www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
John Gibbons: A big freeze could turn the Irish into climate refugees
We should reflect on 'get-tough' proposals on immigration: If the Amoc currents that moderate Ireland’s climate fail, temperatures will plunge, making grass-based agriculture impossible
www.irishexaminer.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
whittledaway.bsky.social
It says a lot about our new President that one of her first public events was with @antaisce.bsky.social to highlight our climate challenge and the need for climate justice 👏

www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Moral duty ‘to act now’ on climate change for future generations, says Catherine Connolly
Figures of possible fines of between €8bn and €26bn for breaching emissions targets ‘incredible’, President says
www.irishtimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
shaunacorr.bsky.social
IRELAND has dropped 4 places in the 2025 global Climate Change Performance Index.
Alarm bells are blaring on the new coalition's attitude to LNG (liquified natural gas - which often comes from fracking in the USA) and data centre expansion...
November 18, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
fintankelly.bsky.social
The EU MERCOSUR Trade Deal is being railroaded through — with promises of traceability safeguards the latest Trojan Horse.

But how credible are these assurances? And why should Ireland stand behind a deal that risks harming the Amazon and its Indigenous communities?
#MERCOSUR #COP30
November 12, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
irishdocsenv.bsky.social
The Govt flies to COP30 preaching climate leadership, but the glaring truth is this:

There is no tangible domestic climate action.
No credible pathway for emissions cuts.
No health-centered climate planning.
No transition for transport, agriculture, or energy at the scale science demands.
Neale Richmond: The government takes climate action seriously, but we recognise we need to do more
Minister of State Neale Richmond is in Brazil today at the UN’s annual climate summit.
www.thejournal.ie
November 12, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
hannahdaly.ie
Why is the Government playing chicken with Europe on climate?

My latest for the Irish Times.

www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Why is the Government playing chicken on climate with Europe?
At a time of climate crisis: Climate action is fiscal prudence
www.irishtimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
fplogue.bsky.social
The idea that Ireland has ever "gold plated" the transposition of EU Environmental law, is causing a lot of people in my world to chortle manically.
November 3, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
joenoonan.bsky.social
Why am I voting for Catherine? She’s an ambassador for an Ireland that would have brought me home sooner.

Her election feels like the beginning of a broader movement to build a better Ireland, one worth fighting for, worth canvassing for. It’s a vision that feels like home.

Katie Ryan
Kilrush
Photo of Catherine Connolly with reader’s letter - I’m not a very political person. That’s a strange thing to admit as someone with two degrees in politics, but whatever enthusiasm I had for political engagement was quickly snuffed out as I graduated into an Ireland of austerity and dwindling opportunities. I knew change was needed and I was excited to vote for it, but time and again I was shown that change wasn’t possible. I voted to elect Labour — I got Fine Gael. I voted to elect the Greens — I got Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. If I just stayed home, I still got Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. Time after time, Ireland’s youth begged for changes that would give us some hope for the future, but every time we were told that our lives mattered less than rising house prices. It was obvious there was no future for me in Ireland, so I took the same path as so many others before me and sought a better life in Australia. I had no intention of coming back. Ireland had turned her back on me long before I turned my back on her. Covid forced me back home and I wasn’t happy about it. I met someone when I returned and we’ve done our best to build a life here, but Melbourne has never stopped calling to me. On September 22, my partner happened to be watching Catherine Connolly’s campaign launch and sitting beside him I felt something stir that I thought was long gone — hope. Catherine Connolly and the people she shared that stage with shared a vision for Ireland’s future that had a place for me in it. I heard Holly Cairns express that the presidency can be a role that highlights who we want to be, not just accepting the shortcomings of who we are right now. I heard Mary Lou McDonald speak of an Ireland where the aspirations and wellbeing of the people come first. I heard Paul Murphy reassure us that there is indeed hope that the 100-year rule of Fine Fáil and Fine Gael can be ended. Finally, when Catherine herself spoke, I saw why each of these leaders who took the stage had put t…
October 11, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
irishdocsenv.bsky.social
It makes far more sense, economically, socially, and environmentally, to instead of flying, invest in a direct rail line to Derry and Donegal.

Such a project would reconnect and strengthen the island, while moving us toward a genuinely more sustainable and healthier transport future for all.
Opinion: Between lifting the cap and new Derry flights, is Darragh O'Brien minister for climate, or just transport?
Darragh O’Brien needs to make sure that his transport portfolio isn’t making things harder for his climate portfolio, Dr Catherine Conlon
www.thejournal.ie
October 11, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
dsquareddigest.bsky.social
I don't want to get all Chesterton's Fence here, but if you don't understand that a "microscopic snail" is an indicator species that's protected for the health of the entire ecosystem, you probably shouldn't be forming "good relationships" with developers
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Rachel Reeves clears planning blockage amid ‘good relationship’ with developer
Exclusive: Chancellor says 20,000 homes were being held up due to ‘some snails that are a protected species or something’
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
saoirsemc.bsky.social
Yes, I want to see headlines about the millions of euros that are spent so people who were once elected can store their car in the centre of Dublin. haul them in front of an oireachtas committee!
pantibliss.bsky.social Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera @pantibliss.bsky.social · Oct 3
“The Office of Public Works spends around €1.2 million every year leasing car parking... spaces for the Revenue Commissioners cost over €100,000 annually. Parking for Leinster House itself runs to a similar figure each year. These are recurring bills, quietly signed off without any outrage”
spillanemike.com Mike Spillane @spillanemike.com · Oct 3
Those outraged by a €100k bike shed should look at the annual cost of renting out car park spaces

www.thejournal.ie/readme/bike-...
October 3, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
pbresnihan.bsky.social
Everyone knows that Catherine Connolly has more integrity than most politicians but the way she has responded to constant media scrutiny and attack with calmness, clarity and honesty is truly brilliant.

www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Catherine Connelly – Presidential campaign
Catherine Connolly, Independent presidential candidate
www.rte.ie
October 3, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
joenoonan.bsky.social
TCD: “Politics and sociology students said they are both leaning towards Independent Catherine Connolly as their preferred candidate.

This is a choice which seems overwhelmingly popular among their peers on campus.”

#Áras25 #Aras25 @catherinegalway.bsky.social
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
‘Her ideas benefit young people’: What TCD students make of the presidential hopefuls
Catherine Connolly appears leading choice on campus ahead of rivals Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin
www.irishtimes.com
October 2, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
joenoonan.bsky.social
Reminder: Our Govt is obsessed with shutting off Court oversight of bad environmental decisions.
www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41...
Environmental damage is putting European way of life at risk, says report
The report makes for worrying reading.
www.irishexaminer.com
September 29, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
joenoonan.bsky.social
Ar aghaidh linn. @catherinegalway.bsky.social #spéirghorm
Group at launch of Catherin Connolly TD presidential election campaign.
September 22, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
kaiheron.bsky.social
The £22bn deal announced today between the British government and Microsoft to build AI data centres across the country makes it all the more imperative that we read @pbresnihan.bsky.social and Pat Brody’s new book From the Bog to the Cloud. A quick thread. 1/7
September 17, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
olaln.bsky.social
A more accurate headline:

Legislation to increase emissions, fuel the climate catastrophe, and worsen public health in the works, minister confirms.
Legislation to end Dublin Airport passenger cap in the works, minister confirms
Darragh O’Brien said he will be ‘coming forward to cabinet, hopefully before the Budget, with legislative options’.
www.thejournal.ie
September 15, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
cityintersect.bsky.social
I LOVE a sand battery. Big pile of sand! It works!
janrosenow.bsky.social Jan Rosenow @janrosenow.bsky.social · Sep 10
Exciting clean energy breakthrough if you missed it: Finland launches world's largest sand battery in Pornainen! 13m tall, stores 100 MWh of renewable power as heat in sand at 450°C for weeks. Heats homes/offices/schools, cuts CO2 by 70% vs old woodchip plant.

www.independent.co.uk/tech/sand-ba...
World’s largest sand battery switches on in huge boost to clean energy
Thermal storage system holds enough energy to heat homes, offices and a school
www.independent.co.uk
September 10, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Reposted by Simon Bursell
ketanjoshi.co
Right-wing abundance-bros operate in an ecosystem of ultra-low-information, mostly on a combination of X and substack, with the big accounts just spewing out vaguely correct-sounding chunks of text that crumble at the slightest interrogation.

This has ~1.2k RTs on X, and it's just....made up
Alec Stapp @AlecStapp ... When an unstoppable force (environmental review) meets an immovable object (also environmental review): Sam Enright'... Subscribe Sign in Ireland's state-owned energy supply company is now planning to decommission its own wind farms, because it failed to file an environmental impact assessment for them in 2003. In a Kafkaesque twist, the project may be saved, because tearing down wind turbines itself requires an environmental impact statement.
August 1, 2025 at 7:50 AM