Irish Doctors for the Environment
@irishdocsenv.bsky.social
An organisation of healthcare professionals and students in Ireland dedicated to promoting good health by addressing the health impacts of the climate and biodiversity crises through environmental care.
Registered charity (#20205893)
🔗 https://ide.ie
Registered charity (#20205893)
🔗 https://ide.ie
Pinned
Let’s fuel health not harm #BanFossilAds
Reposted by Irish Doctors for the Environment
Reposted by Irish Doctors for the Environment
A to-do list for the Government from the Irish Times and friends…
Zero mention of climate change, emissions, biodiversity or nature.
The planet is on fire, but apparently that didn’t make the cut.
Zero mention of climate change, emissions, biodiversity or nature.
The planet is on fire, but apparently that didn’t make the cut.
A to-do list for Government: what one thing could it accomplish in 2026?
Voices from across Irish life choose a single thing the Government should – and could – try to accomplish in its second year in office
www.irishtimes.com
January 24, 2026 at 9:12 AM
A to-do list for the Government from the Irish Times and friends…
Zero mention of climate change, emissions, biodiversity or nature.
The planet is on fire, but apparently that didn’t make the cut.
Zero mention of climate change, emissions, biodiversity or nature.
The planet is on fire, but apparently that didn’t make the cut.
Letter from Dr John Legge responding to the recent discourse on proposals to mandate high-visibility clothing for vulnerable road users.
January 24, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Letter from Dr John Legge responding to the recent discourse on proposals to mandate high-visibility clothing for vulnerable road users.
Soaring congestion costs because cars are holding people and the planet hostage, with the government’s blessing.
Bold strategy.
Bold strategy.
January 23, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Soaring congestion costs because cars are holding people and the planet hostage, with the government’s blessing.
Bold strategy.
Bold strategy.
Reposted by Irish Doctors for the Environment
I'm all for innovation, but if we are to fix Dublin's broken transport system, we need a coherent, expert-led strategy, not a collection of small, piecemeal ideas from Mary and John, tinkering at the edges of a systemic problem.
My letter in the Irish Times this morning!
My letter in the Irish Times this morning!
Dublin Bus and its €15,000 offer
We should be bringing in international transport experts with proven experience
www.irishtimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:46 AM
I'm all for innovation, but if we are to fix Dublin's broken transport system, we need a coherent, expert-led strategy, not a collection of small, piecemeal ideas from Mary and John, tinkering at the edges of a systemic problem.
My letter in the Irish Times this morning!
My letter in the Irish Times this morning!
Ireland and the climate crisis.
We are failing to mitigate it and we are failing to adapt.
We are failing to mitigate it and we are failing to adapt.
Ireland is living through tomorrow’s weather with yesterday’s infrastructure
National policy must deliver locally to help communities cope with changing climate
www.irishtimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:02 AM
Ireland and the climate crisis.
We are failing to mitigate it and we are failing to adapt.
We are failing to mitigate it and we are failing to adapt.
Active transport infrastructure is public health action.
Continuing to let cars dominate, however, means more pollution, more congestion, and less movement. We all lose.
Continuing to let cars dominate, however, means more pollution, more congestion, and less movement. We all lose.
Of all the complaints in this article, this one stands out:
“When will motorists get something? I’ve yet to see any plans to improve infrastructure for those that drive.”
A reminder to the submitter: cars already own Ireland. Our towns, cities, and transport policy have long been built around them.
“When will motorists get something? I’ve yet to see any plans to improve infrastructure for those that drive.”
A reminder to the submitter: cars already own Ireland. Our towns, cities, and transport policy have long been built around them.
‘Deeply upsetting’: Skerries Active Travel Plan provokes angry response from residents
Some submissions contended motorists were being ‘demonised’ and discriminated against
www.irishtimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:56 AM
Active transport infrastructure is public health action.
Continuing to let cars dominate, however, means more pollution, more congestion, and less movement. We all lose.
Continuing to let cars dominate, however, means more pollution, more congestion, and less movement. We all lose.
Reposted by Irish Doctors for the Environment
More deflection and distraction from the real problem: cars and drivers.
I'd support mandatory bike lights at night, but forcing people to wear a separate cycling outfit isn’t evidence-based, shows a poor understanding of the issue, and will deter many from cycling.
I'd support mandatory bike lights at night, but forcing people to wear a separate cycling outfit isn’t evidence-based, shows a poor understanding of the issue, and will deter many from cycling.
January 21, 2026 at 7:42 AM
More deflection and distraction from the real problem: cars and drivers.
I'd support mandatory bike lights at night, but forcing people to wear a separate cycling outfit isn’t evidence-based, shows a poor understanding of the issue, and will deter many from cycling.
I'd support mandatory bike lights at night, but forcing people to wear a separate cycling outfit isn’t evidence-based, shows a poor understanding of the issue, and will deter many from cycling.
Reposted by Irish Doctors for the Environment
I wrote this piece on how saunas could help clean Ireland’s waterways and make us healthier about a year ago.
It is as relevant today!
#BlueHealth 🌊
It is as relevant today!
#BlueHealth 🌊
Could saunas help clean Ireland’s waterways and make us healthier?
By Dr Ola Løkken Nordrum
medium.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:28 PM
I wrote this piece on how saunas could help clean Ireland’s waterways and make us healthier about a year ago.
It is as relevant today!
#BlueHealth 🌊
It is as relevant today!
#BlueHealth 🌊
Reposted by Irish Doctors for the Environment
Wholly inadequate.
If you multiplied this by four or five and borrowed a few hundred Dutch and Danish planners for a few years we might get somewhere, but alas.
If you multiplied this by four or five and borrowed a few hundred Dutch and Danish planners for a few years we might get somewhere, but alas.
Your new cycle route: Where will €360m in cycling and walking funds be spent this year?
More than one-quarter of active travel and greenway funds for Dublin projects
www.irishtimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:22 AM
Wholly inadequate.
If you multiplied this by four or five and borrowed a few hundred Dutch and Danish planners for a few years we might get somewhere, but alas.
If you multiplied this by four or five and borrowed a few hundred Dutch and Danish planners for a few years we might get somewhere, but alas.
Very disturbing to see the cuts in active transport infrastructure investments.
We're so far behind other European countries.
This will have real negative consequences for public health.
We're so far behind other European countries.
This will have real negative consequences for public health.
Dublin City Council’s cycling and walking funds have been cut, and it may put years of work at risk
The Green Party says the cut puts planned projects at risk.
www.thejournal.ie
January 20, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Very disturbing to see the cuts in active transport infrastructure investments.
We're so far behind other European countries.
This will have real negative consequences for public health.
We're so far behind other European countries.
This will have real negative consequences for public health.
An article on airport expansion in 2026 that never once mentions climate change or emissions manages a remarkable feat: total obliviousness in an era defined by both.
Knock Airport still flying high after 40 years
www.rte.ie
January 19, 2026 at 9:13 AM
An article on airport expansion in 2026 that never once mentions climate change or emissions manages a remarkable feat: total obliviousness in an era defined by both.
If you care about what's happening in the world, read The Deluge by Stephen Markley.
January 18, 2026 at 1:20 PM
If you care about what's happening in the world, read The Deluge by Stephen Markley.
Ireland might appear self-sufficient, but our dependence on highly polluting meat and dairy production, imported animal feed, and inefficient, destructive land use leaves us exposed.
In a world growing more unstable and food-insecure, this model increases risk rather than resilience.
In a world growing more unstable and food-insecure, this model increases risk rather than resilience.
Why the world has started stockpiling food again
Governments are hoarding rice and grain as insurance against a world they increasingly view as unstable. But many economists believe it could be counter-productive
www.irishtimes.com
January 18, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Ireland might appear self-sufficient, but our dependence on highly polluting meat and dairy production, imported animal feed, and inefficient, destructive land use leaves us exposed.
In a world growing more unstable and food-insecure, this model increases risk rather than resilience.
In a world growing more unstable and food-insecure, this model increases risk rather than resilience.
Reposted by Irish Doctors for the Environment
Excellent piece on ultra-processed foods.
We have the solutions. The questions is, will our politicians act?
We have the solutions. The questions is, will our politicians act?
How Ireland got hooked on ultra-processed foods – and the only viable solution
Reformulating ultra-processed food as effective as low-tar cigarettes or guns with fewer bullets
www.irishtimes.com
January 18, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Excellent piece on ultra-processed foods.
We have the solutions. The questions is, will our politicians act?
We have the solutions. The questions is, will our politicians act?
We already pay people to drive to work through fuel subsidies, tax reliefs, cheap parking and road investment. So why don’t we pay people to cycle instead?
Cycling to work improves physical and mental health, cuts emissions, reduces congestion, and lowers healthcare costs, to name a few benefits 🚲💚
Cycling to work improves physical and mental health, cuts emissions, reduces congestion, and lowers healthcare costs, to name a few benefits 🚲💚
January 17, 2026 at 11:20 AM
We already pay people to drive to work through fuel subsidies, tax reliefs, cheap parking and road investment. So why don’t we pay people to cycle instead?
Cycling to work improves physical and mental health, cuts emissions, reduces congestion, and lowers healthcare costs, to name a few benefits 🚲💚
Cycling to work improves physical and mental health, cuts emissions, reduces congestion, and lowers healthcare costs, to name a few benefits 🚲💚
These monster SUVs are designed to conquer extreme conditions, yet they’re increasingly used to mount footpaths and create unnecessary danger in our cities and towns.
They don’t belong in urban spaces.
It’s time to ban oversized SUVs from our urban realms and make our streets safer for everyone.
They don’t belong in urban spaces.
It’s time to ban oversized SUVs from our urban realms and make our streets safer for everyone.
January 16, 2026 at 4:01 PM
These monster SUVs are designed to conquer extreme conditions, yet they’re increasingly used to mount footpaths and create unnecessary danger in our cities and towns.
They don’t belong in urban spaces.
It’s time to ban oversized SUVs from our urban realms and make our streets safer for everyone.
They don’t belong in urban spaces.
It’s time to ban oversized SUVs from our urban realms and make our streets safer for everyone.
Reposted by Irish Doctors for the Environment
In other words, the ideal car for Dublin.
January 16, 2026 at 10:58 AM
In other words, the ideal car for Dublin.
Reposted by Irish Doctors for the Environment
In Ireland, people drive to the shop 1km away to buy a pint of milk.
That is not the fault of the individual, but the result of decades upon decades of car centric policies.
Anyways, well done to the Finns 🇫🇮
That is not the fault of the individual, but the result of decades upon decades of car centric policies.
Anyways, well done to the Finns 🇫🇮
No car needed to hit the tracks in Oulu! 🇫🇮 With 900km of maintained cycling paths connecting to 350km of cross-country ski tracks, the transition from pedals to poles is seamless.
January 15, 2026 at 10:20 PM
In Ireland, people drive to the shop 1km away to buy a pint of milk.
That is not the fault of the individual, but the result of decades upon decades of car centric policies.
Anyways, well done to the Finns 🇫🇮
That is not the fault of the individual, but the result of decades upon decades of car centric policies.
Anyways, well done to the Finns 🇫🇮
Reposted by Irish Doctors for the Environment
Missing climate targets. Doubling down on destruction. Our health pays the price.
January 14, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Missing climate targets. Doubling down on destruction. Our health pays the price.
The Irish Government's war with the environment continues.
Cabinet to sign off on plan to build more data centres across country
Electricity demand from data centres has grown from 5% of national electricity demand in 2015 to 22% in 2024.
www.thejournal.ie
January 13, 2026 at 9:37 AM
The Irish Government's war with the environment continues.
Reposted by Irish Doctors for the Environment
This is complete madness.
Ireland already has 90.
Far more per capita than other nations. We are outliers in just how many data centres we have.
And many more already have planning
We do not have enough electricity
We do not have enough water
This will come at the cost of housing connections
Ireland already has 90.
Far more per capita than other nations. We are outliers in just how many data centres we have.
And many more already have planning
We do not have enough electricity
We do not have enough water
This will come at the cost of housing connections
Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke will this morning bring a major plan to build more data centres across the country to Cabinet for sign off.
jrnl.ie/6924426t
jrnl.ie/6924426t
Cabinet to sign off on plan to build more data centres across country
Electricity demand from data centres has grown from 5% of national electricity demand in 2015 to 22% in 2024.
jrnl.ie
January 13, 2026 at 7:30 AM
This is complete madness.
Ireland already has 90.
Far more per capita than other nations. We are outliers in just how many data centres we have.
And many more already have planning
We do not have enough electricity
We do not have enough water
This will come at the cost of housing connections
Ireland already has 90.
Far more per capita than other nations. We are outliers in just how many data centres we have.
And many more already have planning
We do not have enough electricity
We do not have enough water
This will come at the cost of housing connections
Judicial decisions should rest on evidence and law, not personal opinion. It is especially regrettable when active travel, with clear physical, mental and public-health benefits, is dismissed rather than supported, while the real issue remains unsafe and inadequate infrastructure.
‘Cyclists have become a nightmare in Dublin’: Judge reduces €50,000 damages award by 80%
Court finds cyclist was mainly responsible for collision with motorbike in which he suffered brain and soft-tissue injuries
www.irishtimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Judicial decisions should rest on evidence and law, not personal opinion. It is especially regrettable when active travel, with clear physical, mental and public-health benefits, is dismissed rather than supported, while the real issue remains unsafe and inadequate infrastructure.
Reposted by Irish Doctors for the Environment
Judges are expected to approach cases with impartiality, deciding on the evidence and the law rather than personal views.
Judicial remarks carry real weight, and framing a case this way distracts from the underlying issue: chronic failures in infrastructure that put all road users at risk.
Judicial remarks carry real weight, and framing a case this way distracts from the underlying issue: chronic failures in infrastructure that put all road users at risk.
‘Cyclists have become a nightmare in Dublin’: Judge reduces €50,000 damages award by 80%
Court finds cyclist was mainly responsible for collision with motorbike in which he suffered brain and soft-tissue injuries
www.irishtimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Judges are expected to approach cases with impartiality, deciding on the evidence and the law rather than personal views.
Judicial remarks carry real weight, and framing a case this way distracts from the underlying issue: chronic failures in infrastructure that put all road users at risk.
Judicial remarks carry real weight, and framing a case this way distracts from the underlying issue: chronic failures in infrastructure that put all road users at risk.