The Climate Alarm Clock

A special episode where Darragh has a chat with Irish wildlife expert Éanna Ní Lamhna. The episode was recorded on a very calm day aboard the Ku-ee-tu, moored on Lough Derg just outside of Dromineer, Co. Tipperary. The interview was an event organised by Nenagh Dromineer Literary Festival, and the podcast was recorded with funding from Green Foundation Ireland. Thanks to both organisations for having usÉannas book, The Great Irish Biodiversity Book is out now. published by Gill Books

https://buymeacoffee.com/theclimatealarmThe team are back together to chat about COP 30 which just finished up in Belem at the mouth of the mighty Amazon. Darragh, Anna and Ciara look at the highlights and lowlights of this year's Conference of the Parties and wonder why 56,000 people needed to be there. Commitment to the Paris Agreement is still hanging on, Just Transition is featuring more strongly and Adaptation to climate change is now in the mix. But climate action is still falling short and fossil fuels are off the hook again. What about the Irish response? Taoiseach Micheal Martin made a rousing speech at COP, quickly followed by advocating for new fossil fuel infrastructure back at home. Is there ANY good news out there? We find some stories that make us happy. Puffins and more puffins! Actions we recommend:Don't forget Gaza, join the national demonstration for Palestine on November 29thJoin the mass lobby to put climate back on the political agenda Check out Food Culture Ireland to find out more about connections between food, people, soil and seaAnd you can always buy us a coffee

A special episode recorded at the Earth Rising Festival at the Irish Museum of Modern Art. The team recorded some of the conversations we had with various contributors around the festival. Giving a flavour on what Earth Rising '25 was all aboutPresented by Darragh Wynne with Ciara Daly and Tom SpencerProduced by Robert CotterBig thank you to all our contributors:LIsa Fitzsimons John BarryAindrias de StaicLisa FingletonSailhymn (Katie O'Connor)Laura CostelloIf you would like to donate to the upkeep of the podcast, click here:)

The Climate Alarms Clock is back with a couple of special episodesTodays episode was recorded live at The Earth Rising Festival in the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), in Kilmainham, Dublin on the 14th Sept 2025Darragh, Ciara and Tom discuss some of the news stories from the summer past, reflect on the festival and the bigger questions surrounding climate changeTrocaire campaign to lobby the Irish goverment to stop sitting on their handsDonate to the upkeep of the podcast

https://buymeacoffee.com/theclimatealarmFor our season finale, the gang's all here. We look at a new report that uncovers Ireland's dirty fossil fuel financing secrets. And we find some stories of adaptation in Ireland -- Monaghan prepares for the worst, trade unions want to bring in paid climate leave and we have hosepipe bans around the country. As Greta Thunberg demonstrates, climate justice is bound up with human rights and we are horrified by the latest atrocities in Gaza. We're taking a break for the summer, thanks for listening and a few suggested actions while we're gone:Listen to our brilliant producer who sings the season out for us = Bob Bound - Business as Usual on Bandcamp, available to stream or buy. It will be available to stream on all the other platforms VERY SOON (Spotify, Apple Music,YouTube)Send a young person to the Youth Climate Gathering | Friends of the Earth in JulyBreak bread with your neighbours and build community at a street feast this summer.Find out more about carbon markets at the EPA climate conference on 28th MayAnd remember... no mow May! Embrace the untidiness.

Ciara Days asks another climate question, what is greenwashing? How does it effect the planet and our push to combat climate change? She is joined by Darragh Wynne and our resident greenwashing expert Tom Spencer. They discuss the definitions and industrial use of greenwashing and get into the nuance of how marketing and consumerism affect us all.Drillled Podcast - interesting podcast about the discovery of climate change by oil companies, told in the style of True Crime.

https://buymeacoffee.com/theclimatealarmIreland's Climate Action Plan 2025 has finally been released. Darragh has read it so the rest of us don't have to and has all the answers about what's in there. He's joined by Anna and Ciara to discuss the Climate Action Plan, which was only just released when the wind industry warned that offshore wind will not hit 2030 targets.Are we worried about climate change? Yes we are, and it turns out a new study shows that almost everyone is -- 89% of people around the world want more climate action. We also do a quick roundup of other climate news including a new study on Whale pee! Actions we suggest for this week:There's still time to register for free for the DCU Climate conference on April 29th.Hometree's Changing Landscapes conference is on 15th May in Ennistymon (not free).There's a variety of courses at Common Knowledge in Co. Clare - from cooking to DIY repairs to lime plastering.Most important, get out and talk to your friends and neighbours about climate change!

Coffee won't help us adapt but just in case: https://buymeacoffee.com/theclimatealarmWe talk a lot about mitigating climate change by reducing emissions, but do we need to face up to figuring out how to adapt to the changes that we know are coming? Ciara, Anna and Darragh discuss climate adaptation, asking the tough questions about how we can adapt and whether we can. And what we need to deal with -- food insecurity, flooding, extreme weather... Ciara asks how the big orange slug in Galway city is helping us adapt. We look at infrastructure, behaviour, politics and all the systems affecting adaptation. We conclude that we need to continue to face up to the tough questions and that building community is the key.

https://buymeacoffee.com/theclimatealarmThe insurance industry is warning that the climate crisis could lead to the end of capitalism. Darragh, Ciara and Anna look at what they are saying about climate risk and what that means in Ireland where more and more homes are threatened by rising sea levels.Separately, the EU has advised citizens to have a stockpile of 72 hours of supplies – is it time to start prepping? George Monbiot has two months' supply for his family. We discuss the risk to food security and debate our must-haves for our prep bags. In other news, 'same shit, different year' -- floods, fires, climate disasters and heat records from around the globe.We do find some good news to conclude ! Actions this week:Get food secure: Spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, root vegetables can all be sown in April. Check out Seeds Ireland GIY Academy offer a range of growing courses in both online and in person formats: Register for the annual DCU Institute of Climate conference, always a good day.As always, don't forget Gaza. Check out IPSC for actions near you.

Ciara asks Darragh and Anna whats the deal with meat? why is eating meat, fish and dairy bad for the planet?Support the Climate Alarm Clock buy donating money for the upkeep of the pod at BuyMeACoffee.com/TheClimateAlarm Explore the EAT Lancet Diet ; eating with plantetary meansEthical Farming Ireland campaign for a better life for the farm animals of IrelandYou can listen here to our previous episode with Kenneth Keavey of Green Earth Organics which explores similar subject matter - or wherever you listen to podcasts (it's series 4 episode 18)

https://buymeacoffee.com/theclimatealarmCiara has been struck down by a bug but Darragh is joined by Anna and Tom to review this week's climate news. We look at the International Energy Agency's latest report which shows that global energy usage grew to a record high in 2024, even coal usage continues to grow. And here in Ireland we're anticipating record growth in demand for electricity, largely because of the proliferation of data centres. We trace the history of Shannon LNG, a major pollution project that got permission for a large power plant this week and was also in the high court trying to get permission for LNG too. This is a major blow to Ireland's climate plans and environmental groups are organising to keep Ireland LNG free. And in the US, GreenPeace is reeling from a $660M verdict against it in a suit taken by fossil fuel companies, in front of a jury full of fossil fuel workers. We find some glimmers of good news in China: BYD has announced an EV that charges in 5 minutes. And in NYC, which has banned gas from new buildings. Actions for this week:Remember Hossam Shabat RIP and do not stop talking about Gaza. Check out the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign for details of protests and how you can get involved. Join the campaign to stop LNG coming to Ireland: Not Here Not Anywhere and Friends of the Earth are two of many organisations fighting against LNG.Register for Oxfam's Ground Up: Climate Justice Forum in Cork on April 11-12

https://buymeacoffee.com/theclimatealarmIn this special climate question episode, Ciara asks where are we now with climate anyway? We go back to basics - what is climate change? How are we doing on climate action in Ireland? around the world? And what does it all mean anyway?Are we all fecked or what?

HOWYE? No, really... how are ye? Tis a mad old world out there so drop us a line and let us know because we genuinely really love hearing from our listeners. You can connect with us over email at climatealarmclock@gmail.com or connect with us on social media via Facebook, Instagram or Bluesky. And if you'd like to support the work that this volunteer led podcast does, you can throw us a few quid through Buy Me A Coffee, or simply leave us a review and share the podcast with a friend or family member. So, 2025 eh... in today's episode Darragh, Anna, Ciara and Tom (yep, we got the whole gang together) discuss: the many worrying climate developments that have happened since Trump re-entered the presidential office including (but unfortunately not limited to) the EPA rolling back on findings that greenhouse gases cause harm to the environment and the US cutting global finance aid, NASA eliminating it's Office of the Chief Scientist, along with offices advising on technology, strategy, and coordinating the agency's diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts what's been happening a little closer to home... LNG, Climate Fines and more. There's no two ways about it... the content of this episode is pretty grim. So much so that we've even elicited a profanity from the usually self-contained Darragh Wynne within the first couple of minutes. But somehow we managed to still have a much needed laugh for ourselves about the madness of it all. We definitely found it cathartic, and we hope you do too. "There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humour and hurt." -Erma BombeckBurren Beo Initiative: https://burrenbeo.com/thc/List of Events 2025 | National Tree Week

Fancy supporting this volunteer led podcast? You can do so by buying us a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/theclimatealarm. This support goes a long way to helping us with the upkeep of the podcast, and your comments and feedback provide a much appreciated boost to ongoing morale! Not in a position to throw us a few euros? Well then, feel free to simply drop us a line over on Bluesky. In this week's episode, Darragh, Tom and Ciara dive into the week's biggest climate headlines:Cyclone Chido devastates MayotteStorm Darragh causes widespread power outages across Ireland and closes Holyhead portWhat do the recent election results mean for climate action in Ireland?We also take a moment to reflect on 2024, sharing a frank and admittedly, slightly gushy discussion about the emotional toll of caring deeply about the climate crisis throughout the year. To wrap up the year, we'd love to hear your thoughts on the state of the world too so drop us a line! Actions for This WeekSSE Airtricity Community Fund: Learn how this fund supports sustainable projects in your community. More details here.Plant trees through Hometree or Reforest Nation.Contribute to the Your Parks, Your Say public consultation and help shape the future of Ireland's national parks. Share your thoughts here.Discover The Good Life 2030, a vision for a better future. Learn more here.Off-Season Listening Recommendations:Catch up on some of our most impactful episodes:Connecting CabraAdaptation: Facing Reality of Giving Up?Why Are We Stuck? Exploring the Psychology of Climate Change with Eoin GalavanRain Rain Rain from Hot Mess by Philip Boucher HayesCheck out our Climate Alarm Clock Specials playlist on Spotify and let us know your favourite episodes by dropping us a line. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all the team at The Climate Alarm Clock. We will see (or land in your ears) in 2025! 

Buy us a coffee?Data centres are in the news again and for all the wrong reasons. They're using more than 20% of Ireland's electricity, they're plugging into fossil gas and they're gobbling up our renewables. In this climate question episode, Ciara asks what data centres are all about and why are they a climate problem? We look at the impact of AI and find out about dark data. We all use data centres don't we, what can we do to press pause?

Darragh went on a field trip down to Cork to attend the Climate Justice Universities Union. Along with all the friendly and interesting people he met, Darragh sat down with Jennie Stephens and John Barry for a good chat about the problems relating to climate change and the role of universities.Visit the unions website: https://www.climatejusticeuniversitiesunion.orgThank you to the union for having us and to everyone who spoke to us.:)

We're in need of coffee to get us through this election, if you fancy buying us one! And you can find us and leave us a comment on Bluesky @climatealarmclock.bsky.social This week: COP29 ends with a bad deal for the Global South, some are calling it a 'slap in the face'. Darragh, Tom and Anna look at whether COP is fit for purpose and ask if it has any credibility left at this point. Here in Ireland, the general election is coming up fast. We look at a manifesto review commissioned by Friends of the Earth and at Not Here Not Anywhere's assessment of the parties against their climate red lines. Spoiler alert the big parties are not coming out to top when it comes to climate action. And RTE is not coming out on top with its election coverage, giving priority to divisive issues like immigration instead of climate. *RW (rant warning). Darragh wants us all to go to Forest School to chill out. Actions for this week: The Irish Garden Bird Survey is back, you can become a citizen scientist. The amazing movie Birdsong has an international streamer if you fancy an uplifting movie event. If you're starting to think about Christmas shopping, consider gifting a subscription to the Irish Woodland Trust or buy a great Irish nature book from your local bookshop!

If you want to buy us a coffee, you can do that here ! Ten days out from a national election, manifestoes are raining down on us from Ireland's political parties (most of them). After spending the whole weekend examining policies (fun weekend), Ciara's climate question is how do we know where our political parties stand on climate issues? Ciara, Anna and Tom do a deep dive into various party positions, looking at where they stand on some key climate issues. We try very hard to stay objective, really, we do our best. We highlight three environmental organisations who have done the work to make it easy for us to know what to ask candidates, here's how you can be a climate voter:Friends of the Earth helps climate voters demand faster and fairer action Irish Doctors for the Environment manifesto links climate to health issues And Not Here Not Anywhere identifies some clear climate red lines There's still time to demand a standalone climate debate too, sign the Uplift petition Recommended ListeningIreland plans for emergency gas generators w/Daniel MurrayIreland outperforms again, but in the wrong directionWhy Are We Stuck? Exploring The Psychology of Climate Change With Eoin GalavanSowing seeds of change: Organic farming and climate advocacy with Kenneth Keavey of Green Earth OrganicsAdaptation: Facing reality of giving up? Fresh reports… Yeah but who cares? We’ve heard all this before right? The IPCC; a great bunch of lads Why is Air Travel so Cheap? Rain Rain Rain - Hot Mess by Philip Boucher Hayes Catch up by Louise McSharry - Election Special on Friday 22nd Nov with Sinead Carroll from The Journal Bog Slides and Big DataBird Watch Ireland episodes

G'wan and buy us a coffee here 2024 is officially the hottest year on record and it's only November. Meanwhile COP 29 has started in Azerbaijan... yes another COP, another petrostate and there's billions and trillions of climate finance being discussed.Ireland gets ready for a general election on November 29th, what do climate voters need to look at? Manifestos are coming out daily, how can we sort through them and make sense of what the parties are actually doing about climate?Ciara, Anna and Tom discuss these stories and find some good news to finish up with too. Actions this weekStay up to date with COP: Sign up to The Journal Temperature Check newsletter from Lauren Boland:Get ready for the Irish elections! Invite General Election candidates to sign Friends of the Earth's Climate PledgeSupport the Uplift petition demanding a standalone TV/livestream #GE2024 Leaders’ Debate on the Climate and Biodiversity EmergencyJoin DCU's Centre for Climate and Society and Friends of the Earth at  election hustings on Wednesday, November 20th at 9.30am and ask the next political leaders how they plan to deliver a Government for Faster and Fairer climate action!

Donate to the upkeep of the Climate Alarm Clock by buying us a coffeeOffsetting carbon emissions seems to offer a way for individuals and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint, even if they can't eliminate emissions entirely. Offsetting funds projects like reforestation, renewable energy, and clean technology development.BUT evidence is mounting that offsetting is "junk" and being used as a marketing tool to avoid real emissions reductions, in other words, Greenwashing! Ciara, Darragh and Anna explore the question of carbon offsets and whether they are actually worthless. But planting trees is still worthwhile, here are some tree planting organisations to consider:Home Tree Tress on the LandReforest nation