'False' solutions such as nuclear energy have left Ireland in a state of inertia in terms of cutting emissions, Friends of the Earth chief executive Oisín Coghlan said. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA WirePoliticians are “running scared” from climate action due to a “vocal minority”, with voters urged to raise climate change with those seeking their vote, a
However, Irish public opinion has not significantly shifted on climate change, according to research conducted by Ireland Thinks for Friends of the Earth and published on Monday. Hannah Daly, professor of sustainability at University College Cork, said disinformation and misinformation are contributing to Ireland’s lack of progress on climate action.
He described the stalling of the EU Nature Restoration Law after negotiations had concluded as a “hugely significant and worrying development”. “That will be, in my mind, the worst of all worlds and worst of all outcomes but that is a prospect because there are people running on that ticket and we’re running at the other extreme in favour of this green transition,” he said.
Separately, Mr Ryan said locals in Connemara, Co Galway are entitled to raise concerns regarding a large offshore wind farm proposed off the coast, on Sceirde Rocks.