George Lee

Environment Correspondent

Kadri Simson said that the development of Ireland's offshore wind energy potential will help Irish consumers (file pic)

EU's underground gas storage facilities full, says Simson

The European Energy Commissioner has emphasised that Russia no longer has leverage to manipulate Europe's energy market as as happened after the invasion of Ukraine because, right now, the EU's underground gas storage facilities are full.

Europe • 09 Feb 24

Mary Robinson said current temperatures are being exacerbated by the El Niño weather event

Robinson 'not surprised' at warmest January on record

Chair of the Elders Mary Robinson has said she "wasn't surprised" that last month was the warmest January on record.

Climate Change • 08 Feb 24

The scheme requires people to pay a deposit on the purchase of drinks sold in aluminum cans or plastic bottles

Scheme to curb drink container waste takes effect

The new nationwide money-back scheme for plastic drinks bottles and aluminum cans comes into effect today and aims to encourage people to return used drinks containers so that they can be successfully recycled into new containers.

Environment • 01 Feb 24

37GW of offshore energy by 2050 is targeted by the Government

Offshore wind could be worth at least €38bn to economy

Ireland's offshore wind industry has the potential to add at least €38 billion to the Irish economy over the lifetime of all installed wind farms, according to a new report from Wind Energy Ireland.

Business • 30 Jan 24

It warned storage in the city's treated water reservoirs is now approaching critically low levels

Residents in Dublin area asked to conserve water

Uisce Éireann is calling for people in the greater Dublin area to help conserve water supplies after recent bad weather led to a large increase in burst water pipes and pushed demand for water to unprecedented and critical levels.

Regional • 26 Jan 24

Increases in extremes of both floods and droughts are expected (stock pic)

Climate change linked to extreme heat, rain in Ireland

The first climate change assessment for Ireland has said there is high confidence that recent changes in heat extremes and heavy precipitation events can be linked, albeit indirectly, to human-induced climate change.

Climate Change • 25 Jan 24

Wind turbines saved an average of €4.2 million per day last year (file image)

Wind farms supplied 35% of electricity in 2023

Wind farms supplied a record 35% of all electricity used on the island of Ireland last year, according to the annual report of Wind Energy Ireland.

Environment • 16 Jan 24

Columns of smoke rise from wildfire in Odeceixe, south of Portugal, last August

EU climate report highlights not a moment to waste

The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has gone up by 50% in 170 years. It now stands at 419 parts per million, up from 280 parts per million at the start of the fossil fuel era.

Analysis and Comment • 15 Jan 24

An extreme heat danger sign at Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park in California on 17 July 2023

2023 hottest year on record as Earth nears 1.5C limit

Global temperatures last year reached exceptionally high levels averaging close to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, according to new analysis from the EU's climate change service, Copernicus.

Climate Change • 09 Jan 24

Mary Robinson speaking to reporters at COP28

Mary Robinson played big part at COP28 summit in Dubai

There is little doubt that Chair of the Elders Mary Robinson played a big part at COP28, the massive global climate negotiations in Dubai.

Analysis and Comment • 17 Dec 23