Irish graveyards are full of plastic. We’re all paying for it
Our burial grounds could be repositories of life; exquisite, nature-filled spaces in the middle of our cities and towns
Climate change
Our latest news coverage, analysis and comment on the global climate crisis
Children’s Health Ireland accepted €30,000 from concession holder for staff Christmas party
Office of Public Works expected to warn that Ireland must be ready for increased flooding arising from climate change
Meath home faces demolition after long-running saga, and a St Patrick’s Day deportation flight
Early Edition with Andrew McNair: The top Irish Times stories on Thursday
Ireland’s emissions remained almost within limit during first carbon budget
Second budget to 2030 presents tougher challenge as limits tighten further
Ireland can offer hope as militarisation hastens climate catastrophe
Irish neutrality shields us from involvement in senseless wars and helps us limit environmental damage
Research Ireland and AIB invest €5.7m in facility to explore AI’s role in climate fight
Facility, dubbed ‘Decarb-AI’, will offer international researchers fully-funded, four-year PhDs with leading academic researchers
The difficult choices that could dramatically increase housing supply in Dublin
Inside Business podcast with Ciarán Hancock
Ireland needs to grow up and get serious about its interests
In the infantile recent debate about the Mercosur deal, for example, politicians from all sides fell over each other to criticise an agreement profoundly in Ireland’s interests
The Irish Times view on Ireland’s climate targets: a need for realism and new approaches
The costs of inadequate progress are growing
How we name plant-based dishes can increase how often they are chosen
Giving plant-based dishes more attractive names on restaurant menus can increase their appeal, research finds
Ireland doesn’t have time for wind farm battles
Ella McSweeney: A recent verdict showed climate law can’t fix what politics won’t
Reality check for climate targets and renewables
These often ludicrous contradictions and unworkable policies need to be called out
EVs, solar panels and heat pumps concentrated in affluent areas of Ireland
‘Utterly unfair’ trend could be tackled, say report authors who also note grant system fuels inequalities
Councils warn of risks to tourism and agriculture from Shannon water project
Elected representatives in Clare pass resolution calling for planning permission for 170km pipeline to be refused
Flood victims experience fear, anger and despair, study finds
Irish university study finds rise in post-traumatic stress, chronic anxiety and depression after weather events
Price of our dependence on fossil fuels is becoming clear yet again
But renewable energy relies on resources that will never run out and cannot be cut off as act of aggression
Relying on fossil fuels
There will always be another conflict and another excuse to continue using fossil fuels
Ireland falling well short of its retrofit targets, ESRI report finds
Underdelivery linked to several factors including high costs, administrative complexity and information constraints
We are consuming our way into a climate crisis, and parcel delivery has speeded up the pace
Oxfam’s Postback scheme allows unwanted stuff to be taken to a charity shop straight from your door
Being in nature can be deeply restorative – something we all too easily forget
Losing routine contact with the living world results in less concern, less protection and less access. The antidote is evidence that conservation works
‘The wonder never left me’: Photos tell stories of the ocean in an era of warming seas
The Ocean Within is a photographic project exploring fish as living archives of the sea
Surprisingly unsmelly and financially sweet: Why 2026 could be biomethane’s big year
Ireland has a large agricultural sector where most farmers and food processors want to do the right thing, so it’s a no-brainer
Costa Rica gets back to nature after decades of deforestation
Paying farmers to swap cattle for conservation has helped sway the balance in biodiversity’s favour
Bray cliff walk an example of accelerating pace of coastal erosion
It will not be possible to save all coastal amenities from the ravages of climate change-induced erosion
Turning conflict into connection: ‘I must have experienced a tremendous amount of turbulence and conflict’
US founder of ‘Mediate Your Life’ John Kinyon traces his work in nonviolent communication back to early loss and a search for healing
Wind farm developer Coolglass awarded 50% of legal costs in landmark Supreme Court challenge
Court notes that An Coimisiún Pleanála prevailed in majority of grounds of appeal advanced by developer
Truly circular living - one power washer at a time
Clúid Housing is helping residents to save money by offering a free lending service for infrequently used items
Climate change and wine: The red wines we will be drinking in the future
How to Drink Better: As temperatures rise, some regions in Europe are allowing growers to plant new varieties, although it’s not always straightforward
The Irish roads and bridges most at-risk from intensifying extreme weather
Transport Infrastructure Ireland analysis shows climate change threatens national routes, from motorways to rural ‘lifeline’ roads
Ecologists are leaving the field as AI moves in
Technology is revolutionising how we gather and assess data on nature, presenting huge benefits and no little irony
Government should consider lifting ban on nuclear power, says economist John Fingleton
Irishman who chairs UK nuclear industry body says new nuclear generator technology presents opportunity to tackle climate challenge
Storm Éowyn caused €661m insured damage across Ireland and UK, Aon says
Éowyn was the costliest windstorm on record for Irish insurers
Women farmers for climate: ‘We are passionate about soil health, animal care, biodiversity’
A recent event, Rooted in Strength: Women, Climate and Food Justice, celebrated women farmers
Nuclear energy is a distant prospect – wind and solar are here now
Sceptics don’t outright deny climate change but dismiss solutions as unrealistic
Voucher scheme to encourage repair of consumer goods to be piloted next year
Circular economy strategy aims to cut waste and increase reuse and recycling
One in three Irish adults backs building nuclear power plants
Opposition to nuclear remains at around 45% but the increase in support here is mirrored internationally, KPMG report finds
Irish people tend to underestimate impact of meat-free diet on our carbon footprint
How much time we spend talking about climate change measures may be key to better understanding
An Post well down the road on its journey to delivering its carbon reduction targets
Semi-state company cites electric fleet and HVO switch as key drivers, but critics warn of supply and sustainability risks
Building the Ark: Ireland needs to invest now to stem the economic devastation from floods
While raising barriers and limiting views around Dublin Bay will be unpopular, they will be essential to avoid huge flood damage
Grapes of weather wrath: the new white wine varieties emerging due to climate change
How to Drink Better: Grapes better suited to hot and dry climates are sure to appear on more wine labels
Government failing to consider how key policies are damaging climate, says UN expert
Plans for LNG, Dublin Airport passenger cap and data-centre expansion ‘need scrutiny’
Ireland’s aspen may not be as lonely as feared, but it is overlooked and under pressure
With this native tree threatened by overgrazing, experts have set up a clone bank in Co Wexford
Feminist climate justice offers antidote to petro-masculinity
Jennie Stephens: Feminist climate justice principles are courageously demonstrated by Mary Robinson
Inside the Dublin data centres consuming an unknown amount of energy
Software giant Microsoft’s electricity demands remain a source of contention, in particular when it comes to powering AI
Co Cork again the biggest winner in €718m regional and local roads budget
Grants for climate adaptation and resilient road works, introduced in 2020, total €16.5 million this year
Experts express ‘extreme concern’ over delay to climate action plan
Minister says plan is coming, but academics say there is no justification for holdup
As rain teems down, it’s revealed councillors tried to zone flood-prone sites for development
Inside Politics: Government accused of prioritising tourism over housing
In defence of the Sitka spruce
Productive non-native tree species can deliver public good when regulated
‘Getting things done’ is good, but not at the expense of the planet
We do not have to choose between keeping the lights on and protecting the planet
Climeaction launches app to track farm emissions
Consultancy expands into software with system aimed at global food business
Lent offers a chance to develop a habit good for your pocket and for the planet
With food prices escalating as they are, freezing eggs for a year could even be an act of financial hedging
Bangladesh’s street sweepers: A megacity’s frontline force
Dhaka workforce faces increasing pressure to maintain cleanliness amid growing population, political unrest and health issues
Ireland’s weather has been like our tax regime – a nice little arrangement. Until now
Delusion that climate change might take the edge off Ireland’s rubbish weather has finally been laid to rest
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