Show Notes
In this air quality podcast, we first hear from Dr Clare Noone, Senior Postdoctoral researcher at ICARUS, Maynooth University, giving an overview of air quality in Ireland and the interconnectedness of air quality to other issues such as climate & biodiversity breakdown. Clare talks about her work with the EPA on Five-Year Assessment Reports for Ireland, the importance of Methane and how that could be the best way for some quick wins with air quality and climate action, while also sharing some of her approaches to communicating the science.
In the second part, we hear about the incredible work Aileen Bright, Sabrina Moore and the GLOBE team are achieving around Ireland with air quality, through citizen science, measuring and communicating with local schools and communities. They share stories behind the statistics, highlighting some success anecdotes and the power that has for both themselves and the schools and communities involved.
Links:
Dr Clare Noone on twitter: @clarenoone
Purple Air makes sensors that empower Community Scientists who collect hyper-local air quality data and share it with the public: https://www2.purpleair.com/
EPA Ireland 5-Year Assessment Report on Climate Change:
https://www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring--assessment/climate-change/5-yar/
Angry Weather book: https://earthbound.report/2021/06/07/book-review-angry-weather-by-friederike-otto/
Trevor Noah Tackles Climate Change: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PSR_OutuIw
GLOBE
Email: [email protected]
GLOBE Ireland Air Quality Campaign https://www.globe.gov/web/ireland/home/overview-of-air-quality-campaign/about#:~:text=The%20GLOBE%20Ireland%20Air%20Quality,pollution%20at%20schools%20in%20Ireland.
Clean Air Together: https://www.cleanairtogether.ie/
Twitter - @GLOBEIreland
Instagram & Facebook – ‘GLOBE Ireland’
EPA: https://www.epa.ie/take-action/in-the-community/citizen-science/clean-air-projects/#d.en.90888
New Zealand’s well-being budget: https://www.centreforpublicimpact.org/insights/new-zealands-wellbeing-budget-worth-hype-contributor-michael-mintrom
Bike2Work scheme: https://www.biketowork.ie/
More from The Climate Ambassador Podcast
This episode celebrates the 10th year of National Climate Action Week in Ireland. Cathy Baxter and Monica Mullins of An Taisce join Daithí to reflect on the origins of Climate Action Week and its shaky launch amidst Storm Ophelia, the growth of the festival to now hosting over 200 events nationwide, and some personal highlights from over the last 10 years. They also explore the supporters, champions and innovative ideas that have contributed to the success of the initiative, as well as their hopes for Climate Action Week into the future. Thanks very much to Emma Sheridan for support with research, design and promotion.
In this episode, Daithí is joined by Brendan Dunford and Clive Bright from Farming for Nature to speak about the role farmers can play in protecting and working alongside our natural ecosystems. Brendan and Clive explain how Farming for Nature are working to change the narrative around the relationship between farmers and nature and to create an inclusive space which gives farmers a voice and offers them the skills and resources to take action for the environment. As the Creative Director, having worked on many similar initiatives, Brendan has great insight into how best to incentivise and empower farmers to uphold their stewardship practices through providing them with the information, support, and funding whilst allowing them autonomy over their actions. Clive, an organic beef farmer and Farming for Nature Ambassador since 2019, is a great example of the programme’s success as he speaks on how farming for nature, by introducing regenerative farming methods or creating habitats through ponds, has created a feedback loop of increased biodiversity, productivity, and profit on his farm. Thanks very much to Emma Sheridan for support with research, design and promotion.
We are very happy to be joined in this episode by two Climate Ambassadors with An Taisce from 2025 – Brian and Craig (a.k.a. Soilboy). Through a shared passion for soil, they discuss how it is the bedrock of natural systems and of our food system and share their experiences of getting people engaged with this precious entity under our feet! Also explored are techniques for growing in confidence as a speaker, managing mental health, and people’s shifting attitudes towards farmers and ecologists. They also share their experience as participants in the Climate Ambassador Programme. Thanks very much to Emma Sheridan for support with research, design and promotion.
Daithí chats with Cormac McCarthy, Climate & Sustainability Manager at Waterways Ireland about how the organisation is streamlining climate and biodiversity matters throughout the vast network of waterways, greenways, and blueways they are tasked with managing and maintaining.
In this episode, Daithí is joined by Mick Kelly founder and CEO of Grow it Yourself a social enterprise which encourages individuals and community groups to think more about where their food comes from and supports them in their journey towards a more sustainable relationship with food.