George Lee

Environment Correspondent

Irish Rail workers clear debris from the line in Enniscorthy

Rainfall accumulation caused Chandra flooding - study

A rapid study of Storm Chandra by climate scientists has found it was the accumulation of rainfall over seven days, including on the day of the storm, rather than the amount of rainfall during the storm, that caused the flooding to be so devastating.

Climate Change • 29 Jan

A truck stuck in water following flooding

Storm Chandra: 'Weather bomb' storms becoming more common

Storm Chandra was another "weather bomb". That's the tabloid term for a storm that has undergone a process known as explosive cyclogenesis just before it hits, writes Environment Correspondent George Lee.

Environment • 28 Jan

The Wind Energy Ireland roadmap is set out in a new strategy document

Roadmap to Irish 'electrostate' set to be launched

Wind Energy Ireland will launch what it describes as a roadmap to an Irish 'electrostate' at its 2026 Annual Conference in Dublin.

Environment • 21 Jan

Last turbine on first commercial wind farm dismantled

The last wind turbine of what was Ireland's first commercial wind farm at Bellacorick in Co Mayo has been dismantled.

Connacht • 16 Jan

Global warming, Global boiling, from the climate crisis and the catastrophic heatwave, Climate change, the sun and burning Heatwave hot sun

Climate report says 2025 was third hottest year on record

The EU Copernicus Climate Change Service has confirmed that 2025 was the third warmest year on record and that global temperatures from the past three years averaged more than 1.5C above the pre-industrial levels.

Climate Change • 14 Jan

A firefighter monitors the spread of a wildfire near Los Angeles, California last January

Ambition to tackle climate change weakened by Trump

Many environment and climate-related stories hit the headlines in 2025, writes George Lee.

2025 in Review • 04 Jan

The SEAI says more progress is needed to achieve 2030 emissions targets

Ireland needs to break link with fossil fuels, says SEAI

A new report from the SEAI says that although energy related emissions in Ireland have fallen by 16% since 2018, the country has not broken the link between economic growth and fossil fuel use in a meaningful way.

Climate Change • 17 Dec 25

An aerial view of the Parteen Basin on the River Shannon

Plans to be submitted for largest-ever water project

Uisce Éireann has announced that it will submit a planning application next week for the largest-ever water project in Irish history.

Ireland • 12 Dec 25

EU seeking financial sanctions on Ireland over wastewater

The European Commission is to refer Ireland back to the European Court of Justice and is seeking financial sanctions to be imposed because of Ireland's failure to comply with a 2019 court judgement for breaching of the EU Urban Wastewater Directive.

Ireland • 11 Dec 25

European pine marten (Martes martes) on tree trunk in forest showing big paws with semi-retractable claws for climbing trees

90% of Ireland's habitats deemed in poor condition

A new report has found that 90% of Ireland's EU-protected habitats are in 'unfavourable' conservation status, with 51% showing deteriorating trends across their national ranges.

Environment • 11 Dec 25