And oh boy, are the Irish powers that be doing everything they can to change supplier: pushing hard to get lots of lovely LNG from our near neighbour (across the Atlantic) and making sure any extra renewables we bring onstream are gobbled up by hungry data centres #spéirgorm
6,000+ km on mine in 18 months of ownership. Annual running costs, including charging and servicing, average out less than a single tank of diesel costs for our car.
12,000+ km of small trips on ours. So reliable, so easy. Love it
How a cargo bike can save you a fortune in motoring costs
“But with almost half of all trips taken nationally under 5km, is it time to question how we use our cars, and whether the cost of running a second one is really worth it?”
www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2...
Yet another gushing story of how bogs are "prime areas for development" with plans for a "radical transformation of swathes of the midlands".
Bogs are important in their own right should be restored not converted to data centres
www.independent.ie/business/iri...
"Now, we love the American people – things may be going very awry at the moment, indeed they are, and one of the things that needs to be remembered is you tell your friends the truth.
“We’ve got to tell American military the truth: Shannon is not a place for refuelling, for bringing military ...
This will be boring to those without kids, but I just don't understand how parents aren't more vocal about how anti-kid the streets outside schools are
Millions of Europeans are not buying the myth that fossil fuels keep them safe.
A new poll across six EU countries finds two in five people want to speed up renewables even if bills rise in the short term, because they see clean energy as protection from war-driven oil and gas shocks.
traffic on a highway. City Hopeful Prioritizing The Car Will Alleviate Traffic Woes Despite 100 Years Of Evidence.
City Hopeful Prioritizing The Car Will Alleviate Traffic Woes Despite 100 Years Of Evidence It Doesn't.
You know, if government has actually been, you know, like, *doing* things to reduce our dependence on petrochemicals for the past decade plus instead of mediocre half measures, they could have avoided this.
Just worth saying, for absolutely legal clarity: the government does not have the legal prerogative to abolish carbon tax in its entirety. Carbon tax is a form of excise, and EU directives require excise on diesel to be a minimum of 33c per litre. (1/2)
Spoke to @TRTWorld last night on the Hormuz crisis.
Relief ≠ resolution.
Oil and gas still much above pre-war levels, 172M barrels stranded, and Iran cementing control of the Strait.
The clearest lesson: energy security = clean energy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO_I...
Ireland still has a habit of framing environmental concerns as softies like myself caring too much about the snails that live where people want to build a motorway.
The truth is we need environmental protection to ensure our country remains habitable - for us. #spéirgorm
Seeing as we're back to discussing the ringroad, I wrote a blog about my own thoughts on this, and other planned projects in the city a few months back. I remain of the opinion that the road will not make a significant impact on congestion.
open.substack.com/pub/cllralan...
Worth a watch.
#GalwayRingRoad
youtube.com/watch?v=xtO_...
Looks like the far right are trying to manufacture a fuel crisis to boost whatever warped agenda they’re pushing.
@paulmurphy.pbp.ie wanted to join fuel protests, but then it descended into the usual far right talking points, showing that like immigrant protests of recent years it wasn’t about fuel or people’s livelihoods - it’s the same ol’ racist crew hopping on a bandwagon. #spiergorm
Why don’t they just drive their tractors across Doonbeg Golf Course?
But high vis will protect us from this, right? Right??
- Nearly 140 people were arrested for driving under the influence
-3,000 drivers detected for speeding
-Over 310 people have been detected holding a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt
m.independent.ie/irish-news/m...
Remember folks - there are no lessons to be learnt here at all for Irish cities whatsoever.
Now, let's all sit here for another 15 years as we wait on major public transport builds.
The absence of a 2026 Climate Action plan - says it all about Irish Government ambition to fail on climate #spéirghorm www.eolasmagazine.ie/climate-acti...
OMG we know them!
New blog post on Planning in Galway, and my experiences of how some zoning decisions are taken in the council chamber.
open.substack.com/pub/cllralan...
“Every key climate indicator is flashing red,” says UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Yowza! A good time to think about taking the bus if you can, hopping on the bike, eating more veggies, and using a little less AI. wmo.int/media/news/e...
Idyllic beach stock picture, catastrophic news...
Well done @annehidalgo.bsky.social -- it should be an inspration to cities around the world!
Remarkable transformation. Can happen anywhere if there's the political will and courage.
A reminder to members that our spring Gathering is on the 28th March in Galway.
Registration is essentially as spaces are limited.
Details in the link.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
www.irishcyclingcampaign.ie/irish-cyclin...
Important public advocacy work being done by @antaisce.bsky.social Elaine McGoff's team @elainemcgoff.bsky.social ; continuing to make case on consequences, public good consequences, of Irish Government's sixth Nitrates Action Programme. A judicial review is in the public interest. #spéirghorm
