Reposted by Alastair McKinstrySaul Staniforth @saulstaniforth.bsky.social · 27/09/2026One from the archives In 1984 Dunnes shop worker Mary Manning refused to handle South African goods & was backed by her shop steward, Karen Gearon. Both were suspended. 9 colleagues came out in support. The strike lasted 3yrs & forced the Irish govt to ban the import of all SA goods. All heroes 382309660
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryPádraic Fogarty @whittledaway.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Sometimes I think we're making progress in our attitudes to nature, and then I read an article like this which reminds me that we haven't moved on much at all 😒 www.westmeathindependent.ie/2026/09/25/s...westmeathindependent.ieSilt removal will help river flow – ‘Boxer’ | Westmeath IndependentThe removal of 1,100 tonnes of silt upstream of Lough Derg, between Banagher and Victoria Lock, will be of "enormous benefit" to an improved flow of the River Shannon, local OPW Minister Kevin 'Boxer'... 54413
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryColin Murray @colinmurray.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Another one of the days when most of NI is holding its breath and the national news outlets in London have barely registered that anything has happened. 59725
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryCharles Keener @charleskeener.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Amnesty International, the world's largest human-rights group, is explicitly calling for ICE to be abolished. 1206
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryJohn Fugelsang @johnfugelsang.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Streisand Effect, Activate. 32922327
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryDonncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Staff at the University of Galway are set to begin industrial action next month following an overwhelming vote by members of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT ) in favour of action up to and including strike action. www.advertiser.ie/galway/artic...advertiser.ieUniversity of Galway staff to begin industrial action on World Teachers’ DayStaff at the University of Galway are set to begin industrial action next month following an overwhelming vote by members of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT ) in favour of action up ... 031
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryAlan Dunne @aldunne.eurosky.social · 26/09/2026the unions know the score 084
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryAbilu Tangwa. @abilutangwa.bsky.social · 26/09/2026When farms stop yielding, hunger does not knock — it breaks the door. Across the Horn of Africa, soils that once fed nations are turning barren. This is not “bad weather.” This is climate change rewriting our food systems in real time. 5920401018
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryCosáin Climate @cosaingalway.bsky.social · 26/09/2026In 2016, Galway City Council recorded data from several passive radar "Driver Awareness Signs". The limited amount of data was obtained under FOI. They never publicised the information and never repeated the exercise. No journalist ever proactively wrote a news report featuring the word "notorious". 153
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryDaryl Feehely @darylfeehely.com · 26/09/2026A nation lets out a collective FFS 😫 Somehow, the FAI have made this even worse. Gavin Bazunu, hold your head high. I'm sure the black arm bands will bring solice to Natalie Abudayyeh as she rots in an Israeli jail for no reason other than playing for her country. #StopTheGame #Speirgorm 0336
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryNiamh NicGhabhann Coleman @niamhroisin.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Courage to the players, who should not be in this position 🇵🇸 🇮🇪 219835
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryEd Maibach @maibached.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Happy Stanislav Petrov Day He passed in 2017. As Encyclopedia Britannica puts it, “He is survived by his two children, two grandchildren, and the entire human race.” If you don't know his story, please take 3 minutes now to learn it. @gchalliance.bsky.social @docsforclimate.bsky.socialsammatey.substack.comHappy Stanislav Petrov DayTake five minutes to not destroy civilization 252094917
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryAarne Granlund @aarnegranlund.eurosky.social · 26/09/2026”Net annual CO₂ emissions increase by 0.47–1.8 gigatonnes (1.2–4.8% of 2024 global energy-related CO₂ emissions).” AI seems to be like SUVs and compounding aviation growth, continuing the high supply and demand of fossil fuels. #AI #Growth #ClimateHeating www.nature.com/articles/s44...nature.comAI-driven productivity gains enable more CO₂ emissions than they avoid in a global energy–economy model - npj Climate Actionnpj Climate Action - AI-driven productivity gains enable more CO₂ emissions than they avoid in a global energy–economy model 0179
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryOla Løkken Nordrum @olaln.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Head-in-the-sand stuff from RTE. “Exceptional weather” = means months of climate-change-driven heatwaves, but somehow RTE seems baffled that trolley numbers are high. Extreme heat doesn’t stop being dangerous because we call it a “great summer”. This is climate denial by euphemism.rte.ieWhat will this winter trolley season bring?On any given day, there remain hundreds of patents waiting for admission to a hospital bed, placed on a trolley, chair, or other area of a hospital. 0114
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryKatie Martin @katie0martin.ft.com · 25/09/2026I have blamed The agents That hacked Your website And which You probably Reasonably thought I controlled Forgive me I am rich And unaccustomed To taking responsibility 5776082089
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryGrant Hamilton 🐨 @ecologygrant.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Too true. There are two existential threats to humanity (ignoring the AI BS for now)- the #biodiversity crisis AND climate change. Very few people I speak with outside of academia, or directly involved with ENGOs, know about the biodiversity crisis 🧪 176
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryAlexander Clarkson @aphclarkson.bsky.social · 25/09/2026That's because the anti-intellectualism of the populists and Far Right is in direct contradiction to the basic foundations of any civilisation 523709639
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryJustin Mason @jmason.org · 25/09/2026www.reddit.com/r/JustEatUK/... - hilariously bad failures from a US-default parser encountering the concept of soda breadreddit.comFrom the JustEatUK community on Reddit: AI vs Soda BreadExplore this post and more from the JustEatUK community 021
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryHannah Daly @hannahdaly.ie · 24/09/2026Minister Darragh O'Brien has announced a €2000 oil boiler scrappage scheme for older boilers, on top of grants up to €12,500 for heat pumps. I spoke on Morning Ireland about the latest incentive to get Irish homes off heating oil. www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...rte.ieGovt to propose boiler scrappage schemeKieran McCarthy, Director of KMC Homes in Cork, and Hannah Daly, Professor of Sustainable Energy at University College Cork, discuss the decision by Energy minister Darragh O'Brien to bring a boiler s... 24218
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryICCT Europe 🇪🇺 @iccteu.bsky.social · 24/09/2026NEW ANALYSIS: Charging hubs in a small share of locations could cover most energy demand from electric trucks across Europe. 🚛 The ICCT and @fraunhoferisi.bsky.social have quantified charging demand from battery electric trucks across the EU, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK between 2030 and 2045. ⚡ 1139
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryMark Sugrue 🇪🇺 @marksugrue.com · 24/09/2026Academic freedom in America... 011
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryUrban Truth Collective @urbantruth.bsky.social · 19/09/2026The WAR ON WALKING has taken many forms around the world. It’s often as simple as how we signal who space is and isn’t for. Once our eyes are opened to all the ways we’ve prioritized cars over people, we can’t unsee it. Frustrating photo contributed by @stadsplanering.bsky.social. #WarOnWalking 23843351
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryDavid Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Oh, we're still on the "significantly reformed EU" nonsense are we? Like the UK has the power to dictate terms as a returning hero or some such? Same EU as per the last 40 years at least. Be part of it or not. Full stop. www.theguardian.com/politics/202... 42565160
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryConor Molloy | 🇮🇪 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 🇨🇦 🇬🇱 @conormolloy.eurosky.social · 22/09/2026Folks, if you want cheaper electric ⚡ get on to your TDs to accelerate wind connections to grid i.e. pylons. TL:DR up to 5 years to connect a wind farm to grid! #BuildOurGrid #Speirgorm Energy firms seek planning changes to allow onshore wind farms to run . . www.irishtimes.com/environment/...irishtimes.comEnergy firms seek planning changes to allow onshore wind farms to run indefinitelyLimiting the operation of turbines to 20 to 25 years makes no sense, wind energy companies say 095
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryKetan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 18/02/2026DAY TWO OF ME ENDLESSLY PROMOTING SOMETHING I'M PROUD OF Here's a new video summary, focusing on the flimsy evidence behind the claim AI tech will make global emissions plummet by gigatonnes and how similar that is to something you might recognise..... ketanjoshi.co/2026/02/17/b... 511648
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryOisín McGann @oisinmcgann.bsky.social · 21/09/2026This is David Nihill. This routine has been doing the rounds on Facebook for years, but if you haven't heard it, it's a lovely story and he tells it well. The grapefruit ladies did the Irish proud. #SpeirGorm 14423
Reposted by Alastair McKinstrySilicon Republic @siliconrepublic.bsky.social · 21/09/2026“With this project, we are testing whether we can actively accelerate that recovery by creating new starter structures for corals to grow on which also mimic reef structure to help re-establish functioning reef habitats," explained deep-sea ecologist Anthony Grehan.siliconrepublic.comScientists bet on 3D-printed coral reefs to revitalise marine lifeUniversity of Galway experts are part of a team testingartificial reefs placed on the seabed off the west coast of Ireland. 044
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryRay Cunningham @ray-cunningham.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Everyone is to blame except the guy who cancelled plans to reform the RSA and roll out reduced speed limits in built-up areas www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...irishtimes.comRoad safety minister blames ‘everyone involved’, including road users, for rising death tollSeán Canney’s remarks come after four deaths at the weekend and as EU ministers gather to discuss road safety 41911
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryMichael Clemens @mclem.org · 19/09/2026This miracle is the fruit of generations of enormous and bipartisan investments of public research support for our universities. Future versions of this miracle are what we are currently losing, due to the US Administration’s decision to shatter the public’s partnership with our universities.  018789
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryKIM F-M @kimf-m.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Democracy is not self-executing. It requires a certain set of norms, habits, and social trust. And, those muscles have to continually be built up and passed on. You can't passively just sit there and say you're in a Democracy if you're not actively engaged in it. youtube.com/watch?v=mgfO...youtube.comA Conversation with Barack ObamaYouTube video by Colgate University 25019
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryPeter Gleick @petergleick.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Given the outrageous, dangerous, and outright false statements made about how the polio (and other) vaccine was a "fraud" (at the Children's Health Defense conference), here's a reminder of what a massive success it was. RFK Jr. & his minions must be stopped from destroying the US healthcare system. 9300133
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryDilek Sayedahmed @dileksayedahmed.bsky.social · 19/09/2026I truly, deeply, sincerely do think the guy flipping burgers at McDonalds should be able to afford rent, bills, and groceries with his paycheck alone. That's kind of the whole point of having a job and I can't believe this is considered a radical position.🤷🏽♀️ 159167154673
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryMaria Christou @mariacervin.bsky.social · 18/09/2026"Consume everything. Digest nothing" Sums up AI in two phrases. Perfection! #StopAI @olivia.science 1267
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryOisín McGann @oisinmcgann.bsky.social · 18/09/2026What the hell is wrong with people? 3153
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryJosiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Enormous drop in oil demand this year due to Trump's war in Iran. As predicted, he has accidentally accelerated the green transition (with, of course, a very heavy and deadly cost in how it's happened) www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-glo...carbonbrief.orgAnalysis: Global fossil-fuel emissions set to fall in 2026 amid Hormuz crisis - Carbon BriefGlobal fossil-fuel emissions are set to fall by in 2026 amid the fallout from the Hormuz crisis, according to Carbon Brief analysis. 516555
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryDavid Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 15/09/2026NSF has reduced the research budget for all atmospheric, ocean, and earth sciences by ~80%. 80%! A lot of us will not be conducting new research or training new students for the foreseeable future. 201444721
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryGreen Party / Comhaontas Glas @greenparty.ie · 15/09/2026The Greens are proposing increased investment in the horticulture sector, addressing labour shortages and extending the Basic Income Scheme for the Arts to small scale producers and growers. 02210
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryOisín McGann @oisinmcgann.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Watching a video about Cromwell, and while all the speakers appear to be proper historians, it's clear that none of them have ever spoken on this subject to an Irish person, because not one of them can pronounce 'Drogheda' properly. Given the history, they should make the effort. #SpeirGorm 9498
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryProf Richard Betts @richardabetts.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Remind me again why we think very high emissions scenarios can be ruled out? 65719
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryAlex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 10/09/2026This German comedy sketch (with English subtitles) perfectly captures so much of what is going on right now in the UK, the US, and across Europe. "Playing the 'Nazi Card' in the Third Reich", by Browser Ballett. 5330001271
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryIreland against Fascism @irlagainstfascism.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Apparently our President Catherine Connolly told him a few home truths, he doesn't seemed to have liked it much 🤪😂 Pics from Uachtaràn na hÉire 68919
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryIreland against Fascism @irlagainstfascism.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Good luck to Sweden today in their election. PLEASE, for the sake of us all: Boot the nazis out of your government ❗️❗️ 15911
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryJohn Gibbons 🇵🇸 🇺🇦 🇪🇺 @thinkorswim.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Shocking , but true; those suffering the worst impacts of #climate breakdown have done little or nothing to fuel the crisis. That’s on the wealthy 10%, which includes the majority of people living in Ireland. www.carbonbrief.org/two-thirds-o...carbonbrief.orgTwo-thirds of global warming since 1990 caused by world’s ‘wealthiest 10%’ - Carbon BriefOf the 0.61C increase in global average temperatures over 1990-2020, a new study estimates that 65% was due to the emissions of the wealthiest 10%. 13818
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryPeter Gleick @petergleick.bsky.social · 12/09/2026This pipeline has been moving 4% to 5% of global oil supply, according to Reuters! Another example of the incredible vulnerability of our reliance on fossil fuels. www.bbc.com/news/article...bbc.comSaudi Arabia shuts key oil pipeline after drone attack launched from IraqIraq removes a military commander and opens investigations into the attack that came from an area bordering Iran. 38428
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryGeorge Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 09/09/2026The UK government ceasing automatically to support almost anything the government of Israel does is a major shift. The next step should be to rescind the ban on #PalestineAction, to stop treating protesters as terrorists, and to acknowledge that those seeking to disrupt a genocide may have a point. 502204638
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryCraig Hughes @craig.rungie.com · 09/09/2026“$30 trillion TAM* *10% chance of $0 trillion cos reasons” 012
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryGiles Wilkes @gilesyb.bsky.social · 09/09/2026It's always the way, isn't it giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... 763083812
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryNational Academy of Sciences @nasonline.org · 02/09/2026Small changes in the ocean can trigger global consequences. 🌊 The new summary from the 2026 US-UK Scientific Forum on ocean tipping points explores how researchers are working to understand, predict & respond to shifts in ocean systems. Read here: royalsociety.org/-/media/abou... @royalsociety.org 03313
Reposted by Alastair McKinstryHelen Czerski @helenczerski.bsky.social · 08/09/2026It's really hard to take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere: removing something so dilute is like removing tiny needles from a gigantic haystack, again & again, at huge energy, financial & environmental cost. Very useful thread here on why we can't just assume CO₂ removal is a magic climate pill: 917557