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Dr. Cara Augustenborg

@caugustenborg.bsky.social
1.6K followers 443 following 165 posts

Assistant Professor, Head of Environmental Policy at UCD; Member of Ireland's Climate Change Advisory Council; Member of the President of Ireland's Council of State

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Reposted by Dr. Cara Augustenborg
UCD College of Engineering & Architecture @ucdengarch.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
www.ucd.ie/eacollege/ne... @caugustenborg.bsky.social
ucd.ie
Staff shortages preventing environmental policy implementation in Ireland, study finds
Staff shortages preventing environmental policy implementation in Ireland, study finds
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
🌍 New in J. of Environmental Policy & Planning! Our study identifies the 5 biggest, interlinked barriers to environmental policy implementation in Ireland and proposes systematic fixes: Open Access read here: 🔗 doi.org/10.1080/1523... #EnvironmentalPolicy #Ireland #ClimateGovernance
doi.org
Barriers to environmental policy implementation: stakeholder perceptions in the context of Ireland
Environmental policies are embedded in political institutions worldwide, yet degradation persists, with failure to implement existing policies considered a significant contributing factor. Few stud...
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Last night, my fellow Council of State members got to hear one of President Higgins' final speeches. It was particularly emotional taking this photo in front of Irl's first Council of State, noting how times have changed for us ladies in particular!
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Yesterday, we welcomed George Marshall to University College Dublin for Earth Institute's public event on how to talk about climate change. Today, George joins my EPA Ireland project team to launch our Community of Practice Using Worldview to Inspire & Scale Climate Action (UWISCA).
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
For the record, I also had several media coaching sessions with Ivan Yates and it was the best media training I've ever had! Anyone who spent any time with IY knew he ran a business for the last few years doing this, so why is it a surprise to someone who worked with him regularly?
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Reposted by Dr. Cara Augustenborg
Conor McNally @conormcnally.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
An extraordinary omission. Yes, policy is the domain of Gov, but climate is one area where a President, limited though their powers may be, could actually play a significant role, e.g. by mobilising community action and lifting the voices of people affected. 👏 @caugustenborg.bsky.social et al.
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
In honour of President Michael D. Higgins' last few days in the Aras, I popped into Newstalk studio to chat with Ciara Doherty, Gavin Duffy & Tadgh McNally about the President's legacy. How will Michael D Higgin’s Presidency be remembered? | Newstalk www.newstalk.com/podcasts/hig...
newstalk.com
How will Michael D Higgin’s Presidency be remembered? | Newstalk
As Michael D Higgins' time as President of Ireland comes to an end, how will his period in the Á...
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Reposted by Dr. Cara Augustenborg
Joe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
From Dr Cara Augustenborg, @hannahdaly.ie @autofac.bsky.social Prof John Sweeney and others. #ClimateEmergency www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
irishtimes.com
RTÉ receives formal complaint over ‘exclusion’ of climate issues from presidential debates
Letter signed by academics, NGOs and medics alleges breach of public service obligations
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Reposted by Dr. Cara Augustenborg
Parents for Future Ireland @pffireland.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
We fully agree @caugustenborg.bsky.social . @rte.ie has most especially failed children and young people on this issue. They should know what the next President's views are on the issue which will most shape their collective futures.
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Reposted by Dr. Cara Augustenborg
Parents for Future Ireland @pffireland.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Fully agree. Especially upsetting for young people, especially those voting in their first election, not to see the next President asked about the issue that will most affect their futures. @rte.ie have let them down hugely.
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
I'm heart broken Ireland's national broadcaster stuck to same old 7 questions tonight on #áras25 presidential debate & avoided the climate question several of us begged them to ask. We learned nothing new of candidates' positions on major global/national challenges. RTE has failed the public.
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Please email primetime@rte.ie to ask them to break the #ClimateSilence & ask the 2 candidates "How will you integrate climate change into your Presidency?” in the last TV debate on Tuesday I've done the research to make this easy @thejournal.ie www.thejournal.ie/readme/clima... #Aras25
thejournal.ie
Climate expert: We weren't hearing about the candidates' stances on climate action, so I asked them directly
Here’s what Heather Humphreys and Catherine Connolly said about climate action and what it means for the election, writes Dr Cara Augustenborg.
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
I've listened to 3 presidential debates so far & learned nothing on candidates' position on climate. I've even emailed to ask them this & have yet to receive replies. Anyone else feel same? @rte.ie @virginmedianews.bsky.social @heatherhumphries.bsky.social @catherineconnolly.bsky.social
media.tenor.com
a man wearing glasses is standing in front of a blackboard and saying `` anyone ? '' .
ALT: a man wearing glasses is standing in front of a blackboard and saying `` anyone ? '' .
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
Just saw Pete Hegseth's ridiculous speech to US military and, for the first time since my father (USAF Colonel) died 5 years ago, I am relieved he is not alive to see what a mockery is being made of the the cause he dedicated his life too. 😔
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
This is a good summary of healing words of @barackobama.bsky.social in Dublin last night, but fails to mention what struck me most: #climatechange comprised at least 20% of the conversation & was first issue mentioned as priority for #ObamaFoundation. 💚 #BarackObama www.rte.ie/news/us/2025...
rte.ie
'Unacceptable' to ignore human crisis in Gaza - Obama
Former US president Barack Obama has said there is no military rationale right now for continuing to pummel what is already broken in Gaza, and he said it was unacceptable to ignore the human crisis t...
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
If you are at the National Ploughing Championship today, come say hello!
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
On the 20yr anniversary of #HurricaneKatrina, I dusted off my 2017 blog after my last trip to my former home of NOLA. It still holds up! www.caraaugustenborg.com/latest-news/...
caraaugustenborg.com
What it means to miss New Orleans: An environmentalist’s view growing up below the sea
Here's my version of heaven. #NOLA #Brass #Jazz pic.twitter.com/93pvkSxFUZ
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 09/08/2025
Thank you @yurikageyama.bsky.social for a feel good story amid the gloom. I have a bug loving kid here in Ireland, but they seem to be a rare breed here! A culture of bug loving kids sounds like just what the world needs. 🐛🪲🐞
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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 13/07/2025
Actor Mandy Patinkin’s plea for Jews to consider how what Netanyahu’s Israeli government is doing to Gaza is not just harming Palestinians and killing kids — but also endangering Jews across the globe.
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Tara Connolly @taraconnolly.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Good morning! ☀️ We are looking for a researcher (or research team) to support an exciting new report on how clean flexibility solutions can replace fossil gas. More info below 👇 Please share with your networks and/or names of any suitable candidates. Merci! beyondfossilfuels.org/about-us/wor...
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Reposted by Dr. Cara Augustenborg
Shauna Corr @shaunacorr.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
🚨2 years after Irish gov launched €15m Shared Island sports club EV charger scheme, none have been fitted. Now a report warns the delays pose a ‘reputational risk’ to government climate initiatives @caugustenborg.bsky.social @irishnews.com @ucddublin.bsky.social www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
irishnews.com
Sports clubs ‘frustrated’ by long delay to EV chargers promised under €15m Shared Island scheme
Academic report warns delays in the process pose a ‘reputational risk’ to government climate initiatives
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
In today's Irish Times, my perspective as a former Fulbright scholar and current Programme Director for University College Dublin Environmental Policy MSc programme, where we are seeing significant increases in US/international applicant numbers this year. www.irishtimes.com/ireland/educ...
irishtimes.com
‘There’s a war on academia’: US faces brain drain of its brightest and best teachers and students
Europe may benefit as Trump’s campaign against Ivy League colleges is causing academics to consider emigrating
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Reposted by Dr. Cara Augustenborg
Physicians for a Healthy Democracy @physiciandemocracy.medsky.social · 19/04/2025
Sign of the day…
The wrong ICE is melting 
The wrong Amazon is burning
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Reposted by Dr. Cara Augustenborg
Saganism @sagan.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
Right Now, most of the American can relate to this message from the 90's.
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Not so fun fact: Every hour a person spends in space emits the same climate harming pollution as 2,000-4,600 people on earth (source link below), but today I heard Katy Perry say "everyone should do this to help them love themselves" 🙄 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
The environmental and moral implications of human space travel
Humans have long dreamed of traveling to space. In response to the recent increase in commercial space flight, this paper evaluates environmental impa…
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Reposted by Dr. Cara Augustenborg
Zack Labe @zacklabe.com · 14/04/2025
Here's a first look at sea surface temperature data from the new NOAA ERSSTv6 dataset... this animation shows the yearly anomalies over the last 100 years. Data available at www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/cmb...
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Reposted by Dr. Cara Augustenborg
John Gibbons 🇵🇸 🇺🇦 🇪🇺 @thinkorswim.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Holey moley.
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
Couldn't have picked a nicer day for a field trip with my UCD MSc Environmental Policy students! Thanks to Baron Randal Plunkett for the personal tour of his novel ecosystem & beautiful estate at Dunsany Castle- to inspire our own campus biodiversity efforts back home!
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Reposted by Dr. Cara Augustenborg
Prof Lisa Schipper 🌍🍉💪 @lisaschipper.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
I knew it was bad, but not this bad. An entire road through the amazon built for the Climate COP! If anyone is wondering whether this might be the COP to avoid, I would say yes. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Amazon rainforest cut down to build highway for COP climate summit
The infrastructure required to host climate talks in Belém is undermining the cause, campaigners say.
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Reposted by Dr. Cara Augustenborg
Greenpeace EU @greenpeace.eu · 11/03/2025
interesting to read a very strong case against liquified gas investments WITHOUT even talking about the dangers of climate breakdown: - running costs are enormous (and households pay) - doesn't prevent weather-related disruption - renewables are so cheap and fast they make it redundant
irishtimes.com
The debate: Should the State develop a terminal for liquefied natural gas?
Geopolitical upheaval, energy security and reliance on UK for supplies are forcing a rethink on the ban on LNG
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Reposted by Dr. Cara Augustenborg
John Gibbons 🇵🇸 🇺🇦 🇪🇺 @thinkorswim.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
The rise and triumph of the fascist Idiocracy, brilliantly foretold in five frames by @tomtomorrow.bsky.social
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Our final @epaireland.bsky.social-funded policy brief on administrative frictions in Climate Action Plans has just been published, examining the Shared Island Sports Clubs EV Charger Scheme launched in February 2023. To date, no chargers have been installed... 1/X publicpolicy.ie/environment/...
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
There are lessons to be learned from across the pond... #datacentres #Ireland
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
A climate ad at the #Superbowl was not on my bingo card! 👏👏
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
This article made me so sad for young people in Ireland. Their lives are uncertain & lacking in the joy & hope I remember from my 20s. One even mentioned uncertainty of climate change as a contributor. 1/2 www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
irishtimes.com
‘I presumed I’d be at least renting by now’: The lives of Ireland’s 25-year-olds
Emigration, home ownership and climate change are among the issues weighing on the minds of Irish twentysomethings
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Our second of three policy briefs, conducting "sludge audits" to assess the administrative frictions (i.e. "red tape") in schemes within Ireland's Climate Action Plan is live. This one looks at the Solar for Schools scheme to put solar panels on every school in IRL. publicpolicy.ie/environment/...
publicpolicy.ie
Improving engagement with Ireland’s solar schools scheme by reducing administrative frictions – Public Policy
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Yesterday, our UCD Environmental Policy MSc students toured our campus biodiversity initiatives to inspire their Spring trimester project for my Tools for Sustainable Development module, joined by surprise guest, Eamon Ryan - Frmr G'ment Minister for Climate, Environment & Transport (& UCD alum!).
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Reposted by Dr. Cara Augustenborg
John Gibbons 🇵🇸 🇺🇦 🇪🇺 @thinkorswim.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
RTÉ News has long had a well documented problem with its #climate coverage, but it has improved in recent times. However, as @caugustenborg.bsky.social reports, its coverage of Storm Éowyn has been problematic. www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
irishexaminer.com
Storm Éowyn and the cost of muddled climate messaging
RTÉ’s recent articles seem to go out of their way to disassociate climate change from Storm Éowyn without sufficient evidence to do so
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Reposted by Dr. Cara Augustenborg
Hannah Daly @hannahdaly.ie · 27/01/2025
Not linking extreme weather and #StormEowyn damage to climate change in reporting was a missed opportunity. Even though we don’t yet know how much climate change turbocharged this event, this disruption is consistent with what we expect from a warming world.
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
I wasn't thrilled with RTE's reporting of #StormÉowyn wrt #climatechange last week... Thanks to @irishexaminer.bsky.social for letting me express my concerns on the costs of RTE's "muddled climate messaging" and why it matters so much here 1/2: www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
irishexaminer.com
Storm Éowyn and the cost of muddled climate messaging
RTÉ’s recent articles seem to go out of their way to disassociate climate change from storm Éowyn without sufficient evidence to do so
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
My contribution to this week's @rte.ie #PrimeTime on what to expect from Trump's US Presidency from min. 5 here : www.rte.ie/player/serie...
rte.ie
RTÉ Player
Watch all your favourite TV shows Live or On Demand on your PC, smartphone or tablet for free.
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Reposted by Dr. Cara Augustenborg
MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 21/01/2025
Wow. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde fearlessly calls out Trump and Vance to their faces. This is heroic. (posting in 3 parts due to Bluesky's 1 minute limit)
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
This morning, I was asked on RTE Countrywide to discuss Programme for G'ment. While I normally focus on my climate policy expertise, I felt a moral duty to raise significant concerns about lack of Government priorities to address biodiversity crisis. 1/x www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
rte.ie
Programme for Government
With Pat O’Toole, political editor of the Irish Farmers Journal and Dr Cara Augustenborg, a member of the Climate Change Advisory Council.
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Ciaran De Buitlear | Gardeningwell @gardeningwell.ie · 18/01/2025
Some thoughtful analysis of government commitments and action on climate. A great read. No clickbait, just good attention to the data. Love it!
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
I'll be on RTE Countrywide with @philipb-h.bsky.social from about 8:15 to talk about this week's Draft Programme for Government. Get the coffee on and join us! ☕️ www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
rte.ie
CountryWide - RTÉ Radio 1
The CountryWide team feature the events, people and happenings that bring colour and life to communities, towns and villages across the country.
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Fintan Kelly @fintankelly.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
No one has been tracking Programme for Governments as closely as Cara over the years. Great insights 👇
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
My reflections from a decade of climate politics in Ireland, including manifestos, Programmes for Government, elections, report cards - and even thoughts on Eamon Ryan's legacy as he leaves politics... all in this Earth Comment for UCD's Earth Institute www.ucd.ie/earth/commen...
ucd.ie
Lessons from a decade of climate politics in Ireland - Earth Comment
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
This is the most comprehensive media analysis of environmental commitments in the Draft Programme for Government that I've read so far. My 2025 comms prediction: "Climate cakeism" (c/o @oisinc.bsky.social ) becomes the successor buzz word to "climate laggard" (also c/o Oisin Coghlan!)
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Dr. Cara Augustenborg @caugustenborg.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
Good summary of opinions on the environment & climate commitments within Ireland's newly published draft Programme for Government care of @thejournal.ie. My take home: "It was more than I was expecting, but I wasn't expecting much." 1/2 www.thejournal.ie/programme-fo...
thejournal.ie
'Disingenuous': Government hopefuls want to change how livestock emissions are calculated
Changing how methane is accounted could potentially make it politically easier for the agriculture sector to move towards its targets – on paper.
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