The climate crisis in 2025: When scientific and political realities diverged
‘Climate adaptation’ became the new buzzwords but there was much evidence of business as usual
Cop30
Ireland is falling for the American fossil fuel industry’s ‘energy security’ con
One of the reasons this argument has been so effective is because, like all good propaganda, there is an element of truth to it
Ireland has second highest emissions per head in EU and must do more to reach net zero by 2050
We have made good progress on decarbonising electricity and in retrofitting buildings but are moving too slowly on transport
‘Too small to matter’ is the laziest-possible excuse in climate debate
At a time of crisis, co-operation is the only way to resolve the climate collective-action problem
‘Recycling plastic doesn’t solve the plastic problem. It just tells people it’s okay to use plastic’
‘People are told they’re doing great if they recycle but it doesn’t solve the plastic problem. It just tells people it’s OK to use plastics’
Happy Black Friday - also known as Insatiable Consumption Day
How ironic that it comes hot on the heels of the save-the-planet summit destined to go down in history as Flop30
The wretched business of smart casual
The world’s most confusing dress code is even worse in the steamy Cop30 tropics
The Irish Times view on Cop30: the summit fails to deliver
While the closing agreement does not contradict the scientific consensus and edges the world slightly forward, it is not nearly enough
Cop30: Five things we learned from the Brazil climate summit
Money and self-interest dominate talks but individual countries can drive initiatives
Cop30: Talks lead to hope but ‘not nearly enough’ action on climate crisis
Decisions on fossil fuels and finance deferred for further negotiations, some of which are three years away
Government expresses reservations as Cop30 deal agreed after bitter standoff
The agreement, which came close to collapse, has been criticised for paying lip service to climate crisis
Despite the fudges and bickering, Cop is still the best hope we’ve got
Even when it seems to be failing, Cop30 can still can nudge things forward
Irish Minister and officials among evacuees after fire breaks out at Cop30 summit in Brazil
Blaze started at a ‘country pavilion’ erected for side events and spread quickly to roof of temporary structure
Cop30: UN chief António Guterres urges compromise at summit – ‘we are down to the wire’
Communities at sharp end of climate crisis have suffered enough, says secretary general
Row over gender at Cop30 is ‘crazy and cruel’, Mary Robinson tells climate summit
Documents in circulation at Cop had placed the word gender in square brackets, indicating there was no consensus on what the word meant
Eamon Ryan: At Cop30 I ask myself, is this really working?
At the climate summit in Belém, I wondered if the whole multilateral process is worthwhile
Solar panel grants to be maintained as minister orders reversal of planned cuts
Darragh O’Brien said the grants worked and were helping Ireland meet clean energy targets
Small island states warn Cop30 that 1.5 degree goal is ‘non-negotiable survival response’
Scientists and island state representatives speak out for stronger climate change action
Mary Robinson says Cop30 summit must signpost stronger action on fossil fuels
Former President of Ireland claims fossil fuel lobbyists were trying to undermine climate summit
Cop30: Protests push delegates to deliver results at climate summit but goals unclear
Biggest demonstrations in years remind leaders of public expectations
‘The storms are insane’: Hundreds take part in Dublin march calling for climate action
Teenagers on march speak about feeling ‘anxious and afraid’ about their futures
Thousands hit streets of Belém to call for action during crucial Cop30 summit
‘Great People’s March’ follows two Indigenous-led protests earlier in the week
Cop30: Samba spirit turns sombre as hard work of climate talks begins
Protests, heavy security and fraught negotiations signal a shift from early optimism to hard political reality
Children of the Paris Agreement want next decade to bring stronger action on climate
Irish youth at Cop30: ‘One of our roles is to bridge the gap between young people in Ireland and the Government’
‘Let’s not over-react’: Al Gore says Donald Trump not a cause for panic
Former US vice-president and climate campaigner spoke in Belém where Cop30 is under way
Brazil’s deadliest police raid that saw 121 killed failed to capture or kill gang leaders
Operation in two favelas left 121 dead, including four police officers and two teens, with 99 people taken into custody
Cop30: Irish Minister commits to supporting poorest nations, but concerns over climate funding remain
Campaigners say Loss and Damage Fund, agreed at Cop27 in 2022, is under-funded, too restrictive and too slow to respond
Cop30 seeks to tackle the ‘information crisis’ on climate issues
Fighting disinformation and conspiracy theories appear on summit’s agenda for the first time
Cop30: Indigenous protesters force their way into climate summit in Brazil
Protesters demand climate action, forest protection and land rights
Cop30: EU and China face test of their leadership at climate talks
Summit highlights the different approaches in Beijing and Brussels to tackling the climate crisis
Trump’s absence from Cop30 an ‘abomination’, says California governor
Gavin Newsom also accuses US president of attempting to rig next election
Micheál Martin not stepping down ‘any time soon’, EU commissioner believes
Michael McGrath defends Fianna Fáil leader who is facing continued pressure over failed Jim Gavin presidency campaign
Cop30: Spirits seesaw as climate summit brings good news and bad
New analysis shows China, the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter, looks to have stabilised its emissions
Data on weather systems keeping Ireland unusually mild at risk over US funding gap
Increasingly volatile Atlantic system keeps Irish climate unusually mild - but observation is in jeopardy
Trump’s shadow looms over summit between EU and Latin American states
Most leaders skip meeting amid Colombian president’s criticism of US missile attacks on Venezuelan boats
Four stories in 10 minutes: listen to the new Early Edition podcast
Early Edition with Aideen Finnegan
Cop30: New approach to foot-dragging by richer countries appears to pay off as summit begins
Talks began immediately after early agreement on agenda
Cop30: Some optimism as latecomer countries submit emission-reduction plans
Summit formally begins on Monday with call by Brazilian hosts for nations to work as a team
Cop30: Brazil proposes monetising value of Amazon in new fund
Da Silva hopes Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) will raise enough money to provide financial incentives to keep forests standing
Venezuelan ‘daughter of the forest’ tells Taoiseach all lives depend on their protection
Meeting on fringes of Cop30 illustrated links between climate change and migration
Rest in Paris: fancy your chances of being buried beside Oscar Wilde or Jim Morrison?
Plus: the thing Catherine Connolly and Keir Starmer have in common; the ‘lion’ on the loose in Co Clare; and a big job opening at the EPA
Cop30: The heat is on in Brazil after world leaders set out stalls at climate summit
China sends reminder of green agenda in advance of formal start in sweltering Brazilian city of Belém next week
Taoiseach warns of danger that action on climate crisis is ‘weakening’
Micheál Martin addresses world leaders ahead of Cop30 in Brazil, speaking of impact Storm Éowyn left on State
Cop30: as the window for meaningful action narrows fast, the stakes couldn’t be higher
Every year of delay locks in greater risk, higher costs and more irreversible damage
What does EU’s revised plan to slash emissions mean for Irish households, farmers and industry?
Ahead of Cop30 in Brazil, EU environment ministers have agreed a watered-down goal to cut emissions by 90% by 2040
Politicians must wake up to Ireland’s duty to act on climate, says leading scientist
Prof John Sweeney: Cop30 summit will struggle to make progress
Emissions ‘gap’ must concentrate global effort at Cop30 to bring Earth to safer place
Latest round of country climate plans ‘barely move the needle’
‘Unprecedented emissions cuts’ needed to avoid temperature rises making much of world ‘unlivable’
UN climate report shows modest progress but criticises ‘lack of ambition’ ahead of Cop30 summit
Women’s farm labour needs to be valued and funded across the world
Female smallholder farmers are central to food security and climate resilience
Quilt woven by Irish groups sends message of solidarity to Cop30 climate summit
Former president of Ireland Mary Robinson will present quilt to Brazilian climate minister
Ireland ‘steadfast’ on climate pledges, says Taoiseach ahead of Cop30 talks in Brazil
Micheál Martin to address gathering of world leaders in host city Belém, Brazil, later in week
High stakes at Cop30: ‘Climate denialism is back at a point we thought we’d moved on from’
Global talks in Brazil take place against a grim political and scientific backdrop, as Donald Trump rejects climate change as a ‘con job’ and even the host country’s credentials are in doubt
Letters to the Editor, October 30th: On Collison’s solutions, responsible travel, and linguistic inflation
‘Ireland is experiencing the many social and environmental costs of a deeply flawed economic development model’
‘They’re behaving like gangsters’: Will the rest of the world stand up to the US at Cop30?
A strong agreement on methane would be a sign that the rest of the world has not given up and is standing up to the bully
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices