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Overwhelmed by climate change? Here are some practical ways to help tackle it

Engaging the political system will be more powerful than lifestyle changes, says Dr Cara Augustenborg.

EVERY YEAR, SCIENCE WEEK encourages people around Ireland to ask questions about the world that they inhabit. This year, the focus is on climate action – what should we know about the world’s changing climate? To address this, we’ll hear from the country’s leading scientists about the minor but meaningful changes we can make to protect our world. 

In conversation with Hannah Popham. This article was updated on November 13 at 12.21pm.

The global movement of recent climate strikes has been a big moment – millions of people are now taking to the street and we’ve never seen that before. It’s been a huge development. To excuse the pun, it’s been the perfect storm that has caused us to sit up and take note of climate change – there’s been no single event that has caused it.

The Green Schools programme started 20 years ago so now those kids are reaching maturity. They get climate change and understand the science in a way that older generations just haven’t been exposed to.

Our NGO community has also grown in capacity – there are a lot more people who are capable of talking about the issue of climate change, who can draw on expertise and spread the reach out to our communities. In my experience, community conversations have the most impact. It’s about going to the local church or school and letting people ask the questions that aren’t answered in the media.

So, what can we do as individuals?

Ultimately, it’s systematic changes at a government level that will make the biggest difference in terms of reducing our emissions. In the meantime, there are a few things that we can do at an individual level.

We need to realise that this is the greatest transformation that the world has ever seen after the Industrial Revolution. We have to get the country off fossil fuels – 30% of our electricity comes from renewable sources (mostly wind) at the minute but there’s also 70% that still comes from fossil fuels. We’ve got to stop burning peat and coal fast and to get off gas as fast as possible – it shouldn’t be used as a transition fuel forever.

2482017-restrictions-on-traffic-on-the-quays Rolling News / Sam Boal Rolling News / Sam Boal / Sam Boal

As a commuter…

What will make the biggest difference really depends on what your lifestyle is. For many people, the biggest one tends to be flying, then giving up your car. Those actions could shave one or two tonnes off your annual carbon footprint but it’s still not going to be enough on their own to do our fair share to tackle climate change.

It’s very hard for some people in Ireland to give up flying but it’s worth trying to have more holidays in Ireland and to take the ferry over to Europe in the summer. Kids under 12 often go free or are very cheap on the likes of Interrail. It’s about thinking in terms of making journeys part of your holiday and rethinking the way we travel and how often we need to do it.

We really have to get out of the mindset that one person who weighs 120 pounds needs a one tonne vehicle – that is not the most efficient way of getting around. Most of the time cars sit in driveways not being used. It’s great now that thanks to technology we have the likes of GoCar and other car-sharing schemes. 

We have to think about the fact that half of our journeys are under five kilometres – we shouldn’t be getting in cars for all those trips. We should be able to safely ride our bikes so we need to push for safer bike lanes. The e-scooter and e-bikes options could also be game changers if we can sort out the insurance issue.

As a voter…

We’ve elected several Green Party candidates at a local level but what they can do to address climate change at that level is fairly small. I still think we need a general election and the ‘green wave’ in that could be a lot more substantial. While projects like the BusConnects are focusing on making buses faster, they are advocating for diesel hybrid buses – we need to get off diesel altogether. 

I think we’re really lucky in Ireland that our national politicians are so accessible and that they do have to entertain communications from their local constituents. We have to push every individual politician on what they are doing for climate change and keep pushing until they realise that if they want to get elected, they need serious policies on it.

As a consumer…

The impact of our weekly shop on the environment is high. Everything we eat has an impact and short of growing food at home organically, that impact is inevitable so it’s about managing that. Animal products aren’t very efficient in terms of the number of resources that go into them versus the calories that come out. 

And even though switching to a plant-based diet is an important part of protecting the environment, some plant-based products have environmental impacts too, though far less than animal products. Almond milks, for example, use a lot of water and require preservatives and use fossil fuels for transport.

It’s also worth reducing our food packaging and our food waste. If food waste were a country, it would be the third biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. In addition, we should be looking as much as possible to go chemical-free in our cleaning products and cosmetics both for our health and indoor air quality. 

patrick-brinksma-ylHc_HR-MQQ-unsplash Unsplash Unsplash

As a gardener…

We do have a biodiversity crisis in Ireland and we often forget that. There is a lack of food supply for our local pollinators – a lot of our bees (a third of our 97 wild species) are threatened with extinction right now. It’s a recognised global issue that we are experiencing an extinction event – species are becoming extinct at a rate that we have never seen before.

You should have as many flowers in your garden for as much of the year as possible. There are a lot of opportunities, even on a balcony. Take a look at the All Ireland Pollinator Plan to find out what you can do with your outdoor space, no matter what the size.

Why is it so urgent?

The level of greenhouse gas emission reductions we need now is enormous. Last year, Ireland’s emissions decreased by around 0.2% but we need to decrease by about 5-7% every year – we are so far off the mark that we need to have much more radical action.

The most worrying event for me has been the Greenland Ice Sheet melting this summer – 90% of the surface melted in a five-day period in July and August. Scientists weren’t expecting this to happen for another 30 years. Everything is speeding up and happening faster than scientists have forecasted. The pace of change is happening quicker and quicker so the level of action we need needs to speed up.

And, what can be done from a political perspective?

One of the things we’ve all been saying for the last 10 years is you have to engage the political system – it’s not just about individual change. It’s about changing things like the transport system and we’ve started seeing political engagement with the strikes and the Green Party wins in the local election.

Unfortunately emissions are still going up but we did have the Paris Agreement in 2015, where nearly 200 countries came together and agreed to turn away from fossil fuels. We’ve seen extensive legislation go through the Dáil – we banned fracking in 2017 and we were the first country in the world to withdraw our strategic investment fund from fossil fuels. When it happened, TD Thomas Pringle said he’d never have been able to put through legislation like this without new politics.

2816 Climate Action Plan_90583774 Rolling News / Leah Farrell Rolling News / Leah Farrell / Leah Farrell

The plastic bag levy and the smoking ban both showed that we are capable of changing quickly. A coffee cup levy has been discussed at Government level for the same reason – when people have to pay a small amount, they will start to reuse. These show the power of legislation in affecting change – that’s why so many of us are fighting for it rather than individual change.

Completely electrifying transport is a huge thing – if electricity and transport were solved, it would be a lot easier for an individual to make a few changes to get to where we need to. Until those are done, no matter how much we retrofit our houses or give up our cars, the public transport system will still be powered by fossil fuels – we need big system changes.

In conversation with Hannah Popham.

Dr Cara Augustenborg is an environmental scientist, climate change lecturer, writer and activist. She was also recently appointed to Council of State by President Michael D Higgins. 

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    Mute Valthebear
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    Nov 13th 2019, 7:05 AM

    Overwhelmed by ‘green’ taxes and levies on working people.

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    Mute Rachel O' Meara
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    Nov 13th 2019, 7:26 AM

    This is the second article that I’ve seen in the last few days pushing hard for a green vote. My first question to The Journal is will other parties have the same access to write articles for their parties? If not, why not? And secondly if other parties aren’t then why are The Journal pushing it’s readers to vote for what essentially boils down to communism under the thin guise of environmentalism?

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    Mute The Great Unwashed
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    Nov 13th 2019, 8:30 AM

    @Rachel O’ Meara:
    I don’t think you understand what communism is if you think the green party have a communist agenda.

    59
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    Mute Rachel O' Meara
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    Nov 13th 2019, 12:23 PM

    @The Great Unwashed: This article was written by Saoirse McHugh of the green party three days ago on this very website, have a look at what way the greens are thinking. Communism is exactly what they’re suggesting.
    https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/saoirse-mchugh-column-capitalism-4884073-Nov2019/

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    Mute Mejo
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    Nov 13th 2019, 1:51 PM

    @Rachel O’ Meara: Very well said. Glad the whole country isn’t brainwashed.

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    Mute SteoG
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    Nov 13th 2019, 6:43 PM

    @Rachel O’ Meara: Nothing wrong with examining the negative side of capitalism especially when it comes to health and the homeless. The USA has a serious problem with homeless people and their medical outcomes are the worst in the western world.

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    Mute Tim McCormack29
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    Nov 13th 2019, 7:08 AM

    30% of our energy comes from wind is an incorrect statement…
    30% of our electricity comes from wind.

    When you see such incorrect statements in an article what else can you believe.

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    Mute Early Cuyler
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    Nov 13th 2019, 7:34 AM

    @Tim McCormack29: I can believe there’s money to be made in speaking about this stuff…

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    Mute Dara O'Brien
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    Nov 13th 2019, 7:18 AM

    I see an opening for ‘climate change coaches’ helping the overwhelmed millennial generation with their overwhelmedness – bless ‘em

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    Mute Greg Daniel
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    Nov 13th 2019, 7:21 AM

    3% of today’s CO2 emission is considered ‘man-made’.

    Of that 3%

    0.12%. Is contributed by Ireland

    29% is contributed by China

    Though lets push Ireland back into the dark ages and lower our standard of living in order to achieve absolutely nothing.

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    Mute Paraic
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    Nov 13th 2019, 7:41 AM

    @Greg Daniel: So people in a small group should do nothing because look a larger group. I suppose your drama group is committed to do nothing, because look, the entire rest of the world. Meanwhile China is 9 years ahead on its Paris accord commitments and surprise, surprise, Ireland is the worst offender in Europe.

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    Mute Mary Fitzsimons
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    Nov 13th 2019, 7:48 AM

    @Greg Daniel: adopting a nonplastic shopping approach would increase your living standard . As will living on a habitable planet.

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    Mute Paraic
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    Nov 13th 2019, 7:56 AM

    @Greg Daniel: PS When the volume of our oceans increase by 3% due to Anthropic causes and your house is under water, will you say, “were only responsible for 3% of the water”.

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    Mute sVRCsaSg
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    Nov 13th 2019, 8:01 AM

    @Paraic: the point is even if we cut our emissions to absolute zero will it actually produce a result.

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    Mute Greg Daniel
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    Nov 13th 2019, 8:08 AM

    @Paraic: Ireland could cease to exist tomorrow and it will make zero change to what will happen to the planets climate & sea levels etc.

    I’m not saying do nothing I am saying have some common sense and perspective.

    China, India, USA and Russia account for approx. 55% of the 3% ‘man-made’ carbon dioxide emissions, Ireland accounts for 0.12%.

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    Mute The Great Unwashed
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    Nov 13th 2019, 8:37 AM

    @Greg Daniel:
    The argument that small groups should do nothing because there are larger groups out there is nonsensical.
    Where does it stop?
    Cavan should do nothing because Cork is bigger?
    My village should do nothing because there’s a larger town up the road?
    My household should do nothing because my neighbour’s household burns more heating oil than I do?

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    Mute Paraic
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    Nov 13th 2019, 8:42 AM

    @sVRCsaSg: If you’re talking about all people on Earth, then yes. Ireland is not alone in being a small country there are 120 similar it smaller. Call yourself a European citizen if you feel too small to make a difference. Hainan is a small province in China, should Hainan citizens do nothing too because Qinghai (the largest) exists? What difference does it make? Climate change won’t respect borders.

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    Mute Greg Daniel
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    Nov 13th 2019, 8:46 AM

    @The Great Unwashed: if that’s the case what are you doing on here consuming electricity generated by fossil fuels and using appliances built using fossil fuel sources?

    If you got off the computer, stop travelling in transportation that uses any form of passion fuel it would make a difference, wouldn’t it??

    I hope you practice what you preach now.

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    Mute Paraic
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    Nov 13th 2019, 8:47 AM

    @The Great Unwashed: Exactly, I drive a car, my Chinese counterpart drives a car. (Not 6 cars simultaneously mind). So why would my Chinese counterpart make an effort if I don’t? It’s it because he’s Chinese?

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    Mute milton friedman
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    Nov 13th 2019, 8:52 AM

    @Paraic: China is only so far ahead because they were given lenient targets…

    if they were given realistic targets they would be a long way off.

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    Mute Paraic
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    Nov 13th 2019, 9:04 AM

    @milton friedman: And why are we so far behind? Attitudes like yours?

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    Mute Remington
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    Nov 13th 2019, 9:26 AM

    @Greg Daniel: now go back and check it per capita. For example in Shenzhen all buses and taxis are fully electric, and I mean all! NYC is planning to follow suit but the project will completed by 2040. Now that tells you something, doesn’t it.

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    Mute Paraic
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    Nov 13th 2019, 9:36 AM

    @Remington: They don’t want to know. China is paving the way forward but they don’t appreciate the irony of pointing the finger at a country that is the world leader in embracing renewable energy. Second is India. 1/4 CO2 emissions per capita of the West and already almost 40% of it’s electricity generation from renewables. Meanwhile, we just pay carbon tax to shore up the fund for all the fines coming our way.

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    Mute Mejo
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    Nov 13th 2019, 9:49 AM

    @Paraic: When the banks stop giving out 30+ year mortgages for coastal properties I’ll believe you.

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    Mute The Great Unwashed
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    Nov 13th 2019, 10:11 AM

    @milton friedman:
    China is actually leading the world in terms of renewables.

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    Nov 13th 2019, 10:13 AM

    @Greg Daniel:
    That’s just silly. We can’t stop using fossil fuels overnight, but we can take steps towards reducing their use.

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    Mute sVRCsaSg
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    Nov 13th 2019, 10:31 AM

    @Paraic: yes we are talking about all people on earth because this is a global problem.
    Many Irish people dong want to impose hardship and further taxation on themselves if it won’t make any difference.
    Solutions are needed where they have the biggest impact.

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    Mute Paraic
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    Nov 13th 2019, 10:49 AM

    @Mejo: I already gave you plenty of evidence that banks are trying to sell of coastal property mortgages while insurance companies have cleverly inserted disclaimers against flooding liability. Did you even bother to check or read the article I provided you last time you uttered the same muck? Did you check the small print on your home insurance policy under flood risk? Of course you didn’t.

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    Mute Paraic
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    Nov 13th 2019, 10:51 AM

    @sVRCsaSg: Tax is needed to foot the bill for the damage caused by our inaction.

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    Mute sVRCsaSg
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    Nov 13th 2019, 1:17 PM

    @Paraic: the whole point of these comments is that our “inaction” isnt causing any damage. As detailed above our contribution to this global problem is so so minuscule.
    People are annoyed because this whole this is a cash and power grab by government and opposition parties.

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    Mute Paraic
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    Nov 13th 2019, 1:41 PM

    @sVRCsaSg: Really, I see plenty of evidence that climate change has caused damage. This article just released shows damage caused by flooding in England. BTW there’s a sad moment of realisation by one lady in the video clip, that her insurer is denying cover, just as I mentioned above. Have you checked your own policy? Who ultimately will pay, if not taxpayers?
    ‘I’m not very happy about talking to you’: Boris Johnson’s visit to flood victims went about as expected https://jrnl.ie/4889747

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    Mute Greg Daniel
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    Nov 13th 2019, 8:38 AM

    The good news is that this story currently has 3000 views and an article published at the same time about protein bars containing saturated fat has 8,500 views.

    People are starting to get bored of the climate hysterics

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    Mute Gerard Casserly
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    Nov 13th 2019, 7:32 AM

    Do your l own research.
    Perspective…. Ireland’s population = small housing estate in India and China.
    India+China = 7,700,000,000.
    Ireland = 4,000,000.
    India + China carbon tax = 0% per tonne.
    Ireland carbon tax = €20 per tonne.
    We also as a country get fined for not meeting targets. We are making fools of ourselves.

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    Mute Motherofthree
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    Nov 13th 2019, 7:45 AM

    @Gerard Casserly: that’s not the population of India and China.
    Also we all have to do something, everywhere. Indians consume far less per capita than Ireland. If everyone does their bit and it’s important to them it will infiltrate into governments and corporations. We have some of the largest and most powerful corporates in the world with a European headquarter in Dublin, these companies have bigger turnovers than many/most countries, you think that’s not influential?

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    Mute Chin Feeyin
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    Nov 13th 2019, 8:02 AM

    @Gerard Casserly: “India+China = 7,700,000,000.”

    Don’t think so. Try again.

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    Mute Matthew Donoghue
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    Nov 13th 2019, 8:21 AM

    No mention of nuclear power?? New modular nuclear reactors are far safer and cheaper than current designs. Why not have a referendum to debate this matter again instead of living in the past.

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    Mute jamesdecay
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    Nov 13th 2019, 9:00 AM

    @Matthew Donoghue: nuclear is a non-renewable option and the waste product is potentially far worse than carbon dioxide. We need investment into renewables.

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    Mute Paraic
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    Nov 13th 2019, 9:06 AM

    @Matthew Donoghue: How many decades of austerity are you prepared to go through for a nuclear power plant costing 10 billion x the Irish construction multiplier?

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    Mute Matthew Donoghue
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    Nov 13th 2019, 5:48 PM

    @jamesdecay: nuclear waste isn’t nearly as dangerous as made out by the media especially when it is properly stored. Enough green house gases have the potential to turn earth into venus.

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    Mute Matthew Donoghue
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    Nov 13th 2019, 5:51 PM

    @Paraic: that’s why I mentioned modular nuclear reactors and why I mentioned we should debate the matter through a referendum. Please look into this in more detail it is a great alternative, maybe the only real alternative to a non green house gas emitting baseload power source.

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    Mute Means of escape
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    Nov 13th 2019, 7:14 AM

    Treat yourself to a trip to Alang in India where you can relax on the beach as you watch ships being dismantled with acetylene torches and enjoy the fresh smell of burning plastic that hides the copper.

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    Mute John Kennedy
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    Nov 13th 2019, 9:30 AM

    Here is a challenge for all you public transport fans, I need to travel by public transport from Killaloe in East Clare to Kilkee in West Clare on Sunday, all suggestions welcome.

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    Mute Paraic
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    Nov 13th 2019, 1:49 PM

    @John Kennedy: Take your electric car.

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    Mute John Kennedy
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    Nov 13th 2019, 3:31 PM

    @Paraic: Ever the smartar$e, sorry Paraic, don’t have one and am never likely to either, will use my ICE powered vehicle to do the trip, cos there is no public transport available.

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    Mute John Kennedy
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    Nov 13th 2019, 9:27 AM

    Dr Cara Augustenborg, Do us all a favour and have a look at this Youtube video, feel free to make comment on its content, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-mRJmfFjFE&pbjreload=10
    from this site https://realclimatescience.com/

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    Mute SteoG
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    Nov 13th 2019, 10:21 AM

    @John Kennedy: Those links are produced by a guy who is a sound engineer and it is obvious he hasn’t got a clue what he is talking about. Heller or Goddard whichever name he goes by has not produced anything that counts as credible evidence. In fact he is a liar as well as a fraud. So he is irrelevant
    https://tonyhellerakastevengoddard.com/2019/02/25/tony-heller-aka-steven-goddard-hits-series-of-potholes-gets-flattened/

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    Mute John Kennedy
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    Nov 13th 2019, 12:09 PM

    @SteoG: I don’t give a rat$ a$$ what you think the man is, can you challenge the claims he makes and dispute the data he uses in the video
    As for the site you linked it tales some sick and twisted individual to pay for and maintain such a site.

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    Mute SteoG
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    Nov 13th 2019, 12:24 PM

    @John Kennedy: It isn’t what I think. it is what he is a liar. It is not me making the claim that a fact is fiction, you are. The burden of proof is on you to provide credible evidence and you have constantly failed to do so . There is nothing wrong with the site it is sarcasm because Heller is another unqualified liar. Denying scientific fact is not very credible. Why do you not read some proper scientific articles instead of going to a sound engineer who is clearly biased. Do you go to the chiropodist when you have a toothache? I ask because that is the type of logic you are applying.

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    Mute John Kennedy
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    Nov 13th 2019, 12:39 PM

    @SteoG: As I suspected, you can not, or are unable to dispute the content of the video, thanks for your time, incidentally why such vile hatred for a person you clearly know nothing about?, did he steal your girlfriend in secondary school, or at the Tennis Club disco?

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    Mute Paraic
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    Nov 13th 2019, 12:48 PM

    @John Kennedy: All the “facts” presented in your madey uppy pseudo-science video, are listed here in red: https://skepticalscience.com/argument.php
    Just look up the already proven to be false claim in red on the left and read what actual qualified scientists have to say about it in blue on the right. Then simply click on the blue writing to get detailed explanations together with source papers and references. Note, the red side has no such link because false claims have no science behind them. It’s simple really. Try it, even someone as silly as you can do it.

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    Nov 13th 2019, 1:02 PM

    @Paraic: Sceptical Science?, that the best you can come up with?, and Paraic, you can disagree with what I post anytime, I welcome contrary views and discussion, but really, why do you find it necessary to insult my intelligence, it never will do anything to bolster you argument, will always say more about you than me.

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    Mute The Great Unwashed
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    Nov 13th 2019, 2:02 PM

    @Paraic:
    Yeah, the ‘best you can come up with’ is multiple inks to bona fide peer-reviewed scientific papers, whereas John has linked to a completely credible *cough* youtube video and a website owned by a renowned and frequently discredited CC denier.
    Time to up your game ;0)

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    Mute Paraic
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    Nov 13th 2019, 2:02 PM

    @John Kennedy: The links to actual science papers are given on the site as I said. Whereas with your video, what we have is a PSYCHOLOGIST who was fired from his post, making stuff up with absolutely no presentation of evidence data and without qualification to back up his false claims. And your ask is that the best I can do. Ha ha ha haaaaas haaaa haaaa! Ha ha ha! Ha ha.

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    Nov 13th 2019, 2:14 PM

    @John Kennedy: Look you just haven’t met your burden of proof. I am not the one denying an established fact, you are. Mr Heller is debunked by the scientific facts. The facts are my evidence. Why would I even waste any time on him. I don’t waste time on the content of YouTube Holocaust deniers, moon landing deniers, flat earthers, new earth creationists, anti vaxxers or any other cranks either. Why? Because they are nonsense. You are free to waste your time on nonsense if it is what you like . I consider my time precious so I only deal with the facts supported by the credible evidence.
    Now where did I say I hated anyone. I didn’t, and I don’t. You just made that up. It shows how desperate you are when you start making the argument about me. Look up ad hominen fallacy..

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    Nov 13th 2019, 3:28 PM

    @The Great Unwashed: I take it you can’t dispute the data either, fair enough.

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    Nov 13th 2019, 3:35 PM

    @SteoG: “I don’t waste time on the content of YouTube Holocaust deniers, moon landing deniers, flat earthers, new earth creationists, anti vaxxers or any other cranks either.”
    Neither do I, why would you think I would

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    Nov 13th 2019, 4:21 PM

    @John Kennedy: You are spending time watching science deniers. Heller is a science denier. You use science deniers debunked arguments. Science deniers on global warming are no different to the other deniers. They are all so similar. Not one of the crank deniers on all the subjects have any credible evidence to support their claims. Why do you give credence to those who deny the established scientific fact of global warming. They use the same method as all the other deniers. There are no credible peer reviewed scientific papers supporting global warming denial, anti vaxxers, flat earth, new earth creationism. No peer reviewed history papers on Holocaust denial. If there was any evidence that would not be the case.

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    Nov 13th 2019, 4:22 PM

    @John Kennedy: I don’t like the idea of carbon taxes or all the other activities and costs that are needed. No matter how much they cost or how much they effect me I will never deny established scientific or historical facts. It seems that you and others have a different standard.

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    Nov 13th 2019, 5:08 PM

    @SteoG: Accepted,
    BTW, perhaps you might take the time to read this
    https://realclimatescience.com/who-is-tony-heller/

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    Nov 13th 2019, 6:10 PM

    @John Kennedy: I acknowledge that. I have seen his CV before when he debated potholer54. He is obviously a very intelligent bloke . He has just misapplied himself somehow and got himself led to far down a rabbit hole. Happens to the best of us sometimes, the trick is to get out early.

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    Nov 13th 2019, 7:04 PM

    @John Kennedy: Looks like Tony Heller is someone incapable of holding down a steady job by the looks of it.

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    Nov 13th 2019, 8:00 PM

    @SteoG: “He is obviously a very intelligent bloke”, thank you, that is a vast improvement on your claim earlier on.
    “Those links are produced by a guy who is a sound engineer and it is obvious he hasn’t got a clue what he is talking about. Heller or Goddard whichever name he goes by has not produced anything that counts as credible evidence. In fact he is a liar as well as a fraud. So he is irrelevant.

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    Nov 13th 2019, 8:03 PM

    @Paraic: HR expert now are we?, to add to your many talents

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    Nov 13th 2019, 8:22 PM

    @John Kennedy: Yes, correct. On the subject in question “climate” he is all those things I said. His qualifications make him qualified in the areas he has studied. He is definitely unqualified in climatology. He is a clever man suffering from the Dunning Kruger effect. He just doesn’t realise it.

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    Nov 13th 2019, 8:24 PM

    @John Kennedy: Being clever doesn’t make you right.

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    Nov 13th 2019, 9:10 AM

    As a commuter, we need to rethink our public transport. Why does almost all of our public transport have to travel through city centers? I work in south county dublin, I commute from westmeath. If I take public transport, I have to get a bus into Dublin City Center, just to get a Luas out of the city center. Of course this makes a commute via public transport much longer, so I drive. Why not build a luas line from Blanch, through liffey valley, connect with the red line into Tallaght, and continue along to the green line. That would basically be a commuter luas line, and take people out of the city center and cars off the M50 at peak times.

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    Nov 13th 2019, 7:29 AM

    It would be nice to see some nuanced and big picture thinking on this issue.
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pBbvehbomrY

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    Nov 13th 2019, 9:27 AM

    @sVRCsaSg: Ah haaa haaaaaaa! Professor Jordan Peterson, Professor of psychology, now on permanent leave from the University of Toronto. I’ll just leave this here: https://cleantechnica.com/2018/12/20/jordan-b-peterson-climate-change-denier-faux-lover-of-science/

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    Nov 13th 2019, 8:42 AM

    If it’s yellow let it mellow. That’s how I conserve water. Brown trout, flush it out.

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    Nov 13th 2019, 11:42 AM

    It is said that India has 513+ Million Cattle doing all the things Cattle do. Perhaps the greens should go to india and Cull some of does Cattle

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    Nov 13th 2019, 2:52 PM

    All while corporations oil companies carry on like normal nothing to see here .. wake up sheeple

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    Nov 13th 2019, 10:32 PM

    “Overwhelmed by climate change? Here are some practical ways to help tackle it”
    Or.. we could just admit the truth… its all junk science ;)

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