Fintan Kelly
@fintankelly.bsky.social
A voice for nature 🌍 working on IE/EU Environmental Policy/Advocacy. All opinions my own. Roscommon 🐏 Connacht 🦅 Ireland ☘️
Reposted by Fintan Kelly
We’ve written to Irish MEPs urging them to vote against ratification of EU–Mercosur
The deal threatens small farms, public health & climate/biodiversity by prioritising multinationals over communities & future generations
We believe in enhanced cooperation with South America but not at any cost
The deal threatens small farms, public health & climate/biodiversity by prioritising multinationals over communities & future generations
We believe in enhanced cooperation with South America but not at any cost
February 9, 2026 at 11:24 AM
We’ve written to Irish MEPs urging them to vote against ratification of EU–Mercosur
The deal threatens small farms, public health & climate/biodiversity by prioritising multinationals over communities & future generations
We believe in enhanced cooperation with South America but not at any cost
The deal threatens small farms, public health & climate/biodiversity by prioritising multinationals over communities & future generations
We believe in enhanced cooperation with South America but not at any cost
The main east coast railway line runs on the other side of this fence, which is about to collapse into the sea. How much longer can politicians ignore the reality of climate change?
February 8, 2026 at 7:17 PM
The main east coast railway line runs on the other side of this fence, which is about to collapse into the sea. How much longer can politicians ignore the reality of climate change?
"The most cost-effective & impactful way to protect our collective future is through large-scale restoration, which can only happen with a truly steadfast commitment of long-term funding in the billions. It’s peanuts compared to what the alternative would cost." 💯
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Environmental breakdown isn’t a distant possibility – it’s a threat to world stability
The message is clear: climate change should be prioritised as a security crisis, not just an environmental one
www.irishtimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 6:40 PM
"The most cost-effective & impactful way to protect our collective future is through large-scale restoration, which can only happen with a truly steadfast commitment of long-term funding in the billions. It’s peanuts compared to what the alternative would cost." 💯
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Fintan Kelly
“You don’t treat a flood where it ends up, you treat it where it starts. Upstream at the top of the catchment”
How to use the land more cleverly to adapt to changing weather and future floods.
#RTECountrywide #SpeirGorm
Listen: 👉 www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
How to use the land more cleverly to adapt to changing weather and future floods.
#RTECountrywide #SpeirGorm
Listen: 👉 www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Flood Prevention
Is the way we are farming partly responsible for flooding, and what changes might decrease damage in the future? Geomorphologist Prof Mary Bourke. Sligo Farmers Eddie Davitt and Joe Leonard. Farming F...
www.rte.ie
February 7, 2026 at 10:49 AM
“You don’t treat a flood where it ends up, you treat it where it starts. Upstream at the top of the catchment”
How to use the land more cleverly to adapt to changing weather and future floods.
#RTECountrywide #SpeirGorm
Listen: 👉 www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
How to use the land more cleverly to adapt to changing weather and future floods.
#RTECountrywide #SpeirGorm
Listen: 👉 www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
When Extinction Rebellion peacefully protested at the gates of Leinster House, they were swiftly removed by a phalanx of Gardai and arrested.
Yet when IFA members have occupied Bord Bia HQ or Agriculture House, the state’s response has been far more accomodating.
www.thejournal.ie/extinction-r...
Yet when IFA members have occupied Bord Bia HQ or Agriculture House, the state’s response has been far more accomodating.
www.thejournal.ie/extinction-r...
Extinction Rebellion protesters arrested and released after chaining themselves to gates of Leinster House
Dozens of gardaí formed a human chain around protestors as their locks were cut off the gate looking onto Merrion Square.
www.thejournal.ie
February 6, 2026 at 10:21 AM
When Extinction Rebellion peacefully protested at the gates of Leinster House, they were swiftly removed by a phalanx of Gardai and arrested.
Yet when IFA members have occupied Bord Bia HQ or Agriculture House, the state’s response has been far more accomodating.
www.thejournal.ie/extinction-r...
Yet when IFA members have occupied Bord Bia HQ or Agriculture House, the state’s response has been far more accomodating.
www.thejournal.ie/extinction-r...
Another excellent piece by Pádraic Fogarty. The Nature Restoration Law and the Land Use Review offer the government a real opportunity to address challenges like flooding head-on, but I have little faith they’ll take it.
www.thejournal.ie/readme/storm...
www.thejournal.ie/readme/storm...
Ireland in the storms: Flood barriers won't save us if we keep draining the land
After flooding in the past, successive governments promised protections, but instead, doubled down on dredging and delayed land-use reform, leaving communities exposed, writes Pádraic Fogarty.
www.thejournal.ie
February 6, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Another excellent piece by Pádraic Fogarty. The Nature Restoration Law and the Land Use Review offer the government a real opportunity to address challenges like flooding head-on, but I have little faith they’ll take it.
www.thejournal.ie/readme/storm...
www.thejournal.ie/readme/storm...
Under the guise of “simplification”, key EU laws protecting clean air & water, public health & nature are under attack
100k + people have already signed the #HandsOFFNature petition calling on EU leaders to protect our shared future
📢 Add your voice now www.environmentalpillar.ie/hands-off-na...
100k + people have already signed the #HandsOFFNature petition calling on EU leaders to protect our shared future
📢 Add your voice now www.environmentalpillar.ie/hands-off-na...
Hands OFF Nature! - The Environmental Pillar
Europe - Don’t turn your back on nature! Behind the EU’s ‘simplification’ agenda, crucial environmental safeguards are being quietly dismantled. We’re not calling deregulation by name, but the reality...
www.environmentalpillar.ie
February 5, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Under the guise of “simplification”, key EU laws protecting clean air & water, public health & nature are under attack
100k + people have already signed the #HandsOFFNature petition calling on EU leaders to protect our shared future
📢 Add your voice now www.environmentalpillar.ie/hands-off-na...
100k + people have already signed the #HandsOFFNature petition calling on EU leaders to protect our shared future
📢 Add your voice now www.environmentalpillar.ie/hands-off-na...
In Ireland, the futures of farming & nature are inseparable. In Green News, I argue that politicians need to be honest with farmers about the role CAP plays in supporting Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan, & commit to new, additional funding outside of CAP
greennews.ie/in-ireland-t...
greennews.ie/in-ireland-t...
February 4, 2026 at 4:24 PM
In Ireland, the futures of farming & nature are inseparable. In Green News, I argue that politicians need to be honest with farmers about the role CAP plays in supporting Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan, & commit to new, additional funding outside of CAP
greennews.ie/in-ireland-t...
greennews.ie/in-ireland-t...
"In a disaster, the skeleton of society is laid bare. Politicians need scapegoats when their inability to make hard strategic decisions is exposed...But who rezoned the floodplains,...who has drastically underfunded climate-adaptation measures for the past 20 years?"
John Sweeney: Blaming Met Éireann for floods is a distraction. Who rezoned the floodplains?
John Sweeney: Blaming Met Éireann for floods is a distraction. Who rezoned the floodplains?
It is now over 20 years since I led the project to give the first scenario-based projections of Ireland’s future climate. We warned Ireland’s winters would become significantly wetter
www.irishtimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:35 PM
"In a disaster, the skeleton of society is laid bare. Politicians need scapegoats when their inability to make hard strategic decisions is exposed...But who rezoned the floodplains,...who has drastically underfunded climate-adaptation measures for the past 20 years?"
A quote in this article by a DAFM spokesperson seems to say that while Sika have been classified an invasive species, they are just another "breed" of deer & will only be incorporated into generic deer management measures
Whats the point of invasive classification?
www.agriland.ie/farming-news...
Whats the point of invasive classification?
www.agriland.ie/farming-news...
Sika deer 'do not have to be culled en masse' - NPWS
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has said that Sika deer in Ireland do not need to be "culled en masse".
www.agriland.ie
February 3, 2026 at 10:34 AM
A quote in this article by a DAFM spokesperson seems to say that while Sika have been classified an invasive species, they are just another "breed" of deer & will only be incorporated into generic deer management measures
Whats the point of invasive classification?
www.agriland.ie/farming-news...
Whats the point of invasive classification?
www.agriland.ie/farming-news...
World Wetlands Day is as good a time as any to reflect on the fact that numerous global assessments have identified Ireland as having the worst record in the world for the percentage of wetlands lost.
February 2, 2026 at 2:48 PM
World Wetlands Day is as good a time as any to reflect on the fact that numerous global assessments have identified Ireland as having the worst record in the world for the percentage of wetlands lost.
Reposted by Fintan Kelly
Remind our leaders what people want them to protect: clean air, safe water, and our health 💧
Why? Because right now, they are handing out permits to poison our water, food, and nature 🤢
Don't let that happen. Sign our petition now: handsoffnature.eu#take-action
#HandsOffNature ✋
Why? Because right now, they are handing out permits to poison our water, food, and nature 🤢
Don't let that happen. Sign our petition now: handsoffnature.eu#take-action
#HandsOffNature ✋
February 2, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Remind our leaders what people want them to protect: clean air, safe water, and our health 💧
Why? Because right now, they are handing out permits to poison our water, food, and nature 🤢
Don't let that happen. Sign our petition now: handsoffnature.eu#take-action
#HandsOffNature ✋
Why? Because right now, they are handing out permits to poison our water, food, and nature 🤢
Don't let that happen. Sign our petition now: handsoffnature.eu#take-action
#HandsOffNature ✋
Reposted by Fintan Kelly
A landmark study charting wetland birds coming here for wintertime over the past 30 years has revealed mixed fortunes for 63 species of migratory waterbirds in Ireland
30-year survey records decline in migratory waterbirds
A landmark study charting wetland birds coming here for wintertime over the past 30 years has revealed mixed fortunes for 63 species of migratory waterbirds in Ireland.
www.rte.ie
February 2, 2026 at 7:55 AM
A landmark study charting wetland birds coming here for wintertime over the past 30 years has revealed mixed fortunes for 63 species of migratory waterbirds in Ireland
Lá Fhéile Bríde agus Imbolc sona daoibh!
February 1, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Lá Fhéile Bríde agus Imbolc sona daoibh!
We’re not serious about tackling flooding as long the arterial drainage scheme continues to be treated as untouchable. It was built for mid‑20th‑century land drainage, not 21st‑century climate change charged flooding. Its time to store flood water in flood plains not in towns.
January 28, 2026 at 8:01 PM
We’re not serious about tackling flooding as long the arterial drainage scheme continues to be treated as untouchable. It was built for mid‑20th‑century land drainage, not 21st‑century climate change charged flooding. Its time to store flood water in flood plains not in towns.
Terrible to see so many people impacted by flooding across the east of the country. It’s good to see RTÉ highlighting the role of climate change in these extreme weather events, but then they platform more of the OPW’s river dredging that has intensified these flash floods. We need coherent coverage
January 27, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Terrible to see so many people impacted by flooding across the east of the country. It’s good to see RTÉ highlighting the role of climate change in these extreme weather events, but then they platform more of the OPW’s river dredging that has intensified these flash floods. We need coherent coverage
Climate breakdown + ecological collapse + unsustainable landuse change + the Far-Right = total destruction.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
‘The land will be left as ashes’: why Patagonia’s wildfires are almost impossible to stop
Funding cuts, conspiracy theories and ‘powder keg’ pine plantations have seen January’s forest fires tear through Chubut in southern Argentina
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Climate breakdown + ecological collapse + unsustainable landuse change + the Far-Right = total destruction.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Reposted by Fintan Kelly
The brown bear population in Greece has nearly doubled in recent years without a rise in damage to livestock, beekeeping or agriculture, according to a study by the environmental organization Arcturos.
www.ekathimerini.com/news/environ...
www.ekathimerini.com/news/environ...
Brown bear population nearly doubles without added damage, study finds | eKathimerini.com
The brown bear population in Greece has nearly doubled in recent years without a rise in damage to livestock, beekeeping or agriculture, according to a study by the environmental organization Arcturos...
www.ekathimerini.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:51 PM
The brown bear population in Greece has nearly doubled in recent years without a rise in damage to livestock, beekeeping or agriculture, according to a study by the environmental organization Arcturos.
www.ekathimerini.com/news/environ...
www.ekathimerini.com/news/environ...
Banking & Payments Federation Ireland have called on the Irish Government to use the EU presidency to weaken regulation to drive growth.
This right-wing “simplification” / deregulation agenda has been rejected by EU citizens, 200,000 signed the #HandsOFFNature petition
www.rte.ie/news/busines...
This right-wing “simplification” / deregulation agenda has been rejected by EU citizens, 200,000 signed the #HandsOFFNature petition
www.rte.ie/news/busines...
Call for Irish EU Presidency to progress competitiveness
The Government has been urged to use Ireland's EU Presidency "to drive progress" on competitiveness and regulatory reform.
www.rte.ie
January 26, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Banking & Payments Federation Ireland have called on the Irish Government to use the EU presidency to weaken regulation to drive growth.
This right-wing “simplification” / deregulation agenda has been rejected by EU citizens, 200,000 signed the #HandsOFFNature petition
www.rte.ie/news/busines...
This right-wing “simplification” / deregulation agenda has been rejected by EU citizens, 200,000 signed the #HandsOFFNature petition
www.rte.ie/news/busines...
It's a fascism crisis not an immigration crisis @irishtimes.com
Minneapolis shooting deepens US immigration crisis as federal accounts are challenged
Minneapolis shooting deepens US immigration crisis as federal accounts are challenged
Video evidence, political rhetoric and competing narratives collide after the death of Alex Pretti
www.irishtimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:51 AM
It's a fascism crisis not an immigration crisis @irishtimes.com
National debt in the U.S. is now effectively equal to the size of the entire economy. If you think Trumps predatory behaviour is bad now, wait until economic recession hits.
share.google/Vqx74fxOcnXR...
share.google/Vqx74fxOcnXR...
'Some form of crisis is almost inevitable': The $38 trillion national debt will soon be growing faster than the U.S. economy itself, watchdog warns | Fortune
"The United States is deeply indebted, and its finances are on an unsustainable long-term trajectory," says the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
share.google
January 23, 2026 at 2:08 PM
National debt in the U.S. is now effectively equal to the size of the entire economy. If you think Trumps predatory behaviour is bad now, wait until economic recession hits.
share.google/Vqx74fxOcnXR...
share.google/Vqx74fxOcnXR...
Thanks to Seamus and Elaine Byrne for showing us around their farm today. It was good to talk to Minister Heydon and his team about a range of issues. Lot's of great work being done by farmers & its important that they are given the right support to tackle water pollution & other challenges.
January 22, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Thanks to Seamus and Elaine Byrne for showing us around their farm today. It was good to talk to Minister Heydon and his team about a range of issues. Lot's of great work being done by farmers & its important that they are given the right support to tackle water pollution & other challenges.
Let’s not mourn a “rules‑” or “values‑based” order in Switzerland or Greenland; it died in Gaza, with the compliance and participation of the so‑called middle powers of conscience. They roused a rough beast from its slumber, and now it has turned on us.
www.weforum.org/stories/2026...
www.weforum.org/stories/2026...
Davos 2026: Special address by Mark Carney, PM of Canada
Canadian PM Mark Carney stressed the end of the rules-based international order and urged middle powers to act together to counter the great power rivalry.
www.weforum.org
January 21, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Let’s not mourn a “rules‑” or “values‑based” order in Switzerland or Greenland; it died in Gaza, with the compliance and participation of the so‑called middle powers of conscience. They roused a rough beast from its slumber, and now it has turned on us.
www.weforum.org/stories/2026...
www.weforum.org/stories/2026...
Today’s final meeting of the Leaders Forum highlighted the strong consensus among stakeholders on some key actions needed for 🇮🇪 Nature Restoration Plan. However, there was also widespread frustration over the continued lack of political leadership on funding & the role of public lands #RestoreNature
January 20, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Today’s final meeting of the Leaders Forum highlighted the strong consensus among stakeholders on some key actions needed for 🇮🇪 Nature Restoration Plan. However, there was also widespread frustration over the continued lack of political leadership on funding & the role of public lands #RestoreNature