Orlagh Gaynor
@orlaghgaynor.bsky.social
Physiotherapist who shouts on a soapbox about nature, environment and health 🩺🌎
Gaeilgeoir, lover of languages 🇮🇪🇪🇸🇫🇷
Often found in the sea or mountains 🌊🗻
https://orlaghgaynor.substack.com/
Gaeilgeoir, lover of languages 🇮🇪🇪🇸🇫🇷
Often found in the sea or mountains 🌊🗻
https://orlaghgaynor.substack.com/
I dove into the world of climate storytelling this summer. It allowed me to paint a picture, an almost-tangible vision, of a world that could be, if we - our leadership - were only brave enough to act with boldness and integrity.
Listen to my first story here! 🌍🩺
Listen to my first story here! 🌍🩺
🎙️ New Climate Conversations episode!
Our very own @olaln.bsky.social and @orlaghgaynor.bsky.social dive into the power of storytelling to spark climate action. 🌍
Orlagh shares a piece of climate fiction that imagines a hopeful future — the one we could build if leaders acted boldly today!
Our very own @olaln.bsky.social and @orlaghgaynor.bsky.social dive into the power of storytelling to spark climate action. 🌍
Orlagh shares a piece of climate fiction that imagines a hopeful future — the one we could build if leaders acted boldly today!
What if they fixed it?
open.spotify.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I dove into the world of climate storytelling this summer. It allowed me to paint a picture, an almost-tangible vision, of a world that could be, if we - our leadership - were only brave enough to act with boldness and integrity.
Listen to my first story here! 🌍🩺
Listen to my first story here! 🌍🩺
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
The world health community must acknowledge its responsibility: Restoring and protecting nature is crucial to restore and protect human health and the time for doing so is now.
Very proud of this article recently published in the BMJ Leader!
#PlanetaryHealth #OneHealth
Very proud of this article recently published in the BMJ Leader!
#PlanetaryHealth #OneHealth
Moving beyond net-zero to a nature-positive healthcare sector
Three years have passed since the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), where the global health community united around the significant COP26 Health Programme.1 This initiative marked...
bmjleader.bmj.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:44 PM
The world health community must acknowledge its responsibility: Restoring and protecting nature is crucial to restore and protect human health and the time for doing so is now.
Very proud of this article recently published in the BMJ Leader!
#PlanetaryHealth #OneHealth
Very proud of this article recently published in the BMJ Leader!
#PlanetaryHealth #OneHealth
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
Taoiseach decries slump in #climate action…abroad, of course.
Meanwhile, back home, Taoiseach opposes solar farms & 100% supports Ireland’s climate-destroying and water-polluting livestock sector.
Go figure.
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Meanwhile, back home, Taoiseach opposes solar farms & 100% supports Ireland’s climate-destroying and water-polluting livestock sector.
Go figure.
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Taoiseach warns of danger that action on climate crisis is ‘weakening’
Micheál Martin addresses world leaders ahead of Cop30 in Brazil, speaking of impact Storm Éowyn left on State
www.irishtimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Taoiseach decries slump in #climate action…abroad, of course.
Meanwhile, back home, Taoiseach opposes solar farms & 100% supports Ireland’s climate-destroying and water-polluting livestock sector.
Go figure.
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Meanwhile, back home, Taoiseach opposes solar farms & 100% supports Ireland’s climate-destroying and water-polluting livestock sector.
Go figure.
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
Talking about the benefits of active transport is as well and good, but what really makes the difference is the infrastructure.
Build it and they will come!
Let's get moving Dublin!
Build it and they will come!
Let's get moving Dublin!
Dublin has all the ingredients to be a world-class cycling city, but we need a real shift in thinking, ambition, and action.
We need to move from talking the talk to walking (and cycling) the walk.
Because as is, this is what it feels like to cycle in Dublin 👎
#ReimagineDublin
We need to move from talking the talk to walking (and cycling) the walk.
Because as is, this is what it feels like to cycle in Dublin 👎
#ReimagineDublin
November 6, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Talking about the benefits of active transport is as well and good, but what really makes the difference is the infrastructure.
Build it and they will come!
Let's get moving Dublin!
Build it and they will come!
Let's get moving Dublin!
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
Dublin has all the ingredients to be a world-class cycling city, but we need a real shift in thinking, ambition, and action.
We need to move from talking the talk to walking (and cycling) the walk.
Because as is, this is what it feels like to cycle in Dublin 👎
#ReimagineDublin
We need to move from talking the talk to walking (and cycling) the walk.
Because as is, this is what it feels like to cycle in Dublin 👎
#ReimagineDublin
November 6, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Dublin has all the ingredients to be a world-class cycling city, but we need a real shift in thinking, ambition, and action.
We need to move from talking the talk to walking (and cycling) the walk.
Because as is, this is what it feels like to cycle in Dublin 👎
#ReimagineDublin
We need to move from talking the talk to walking (and cycling) the walk.
Because as is, this is what it feels like to cycle in Dublin 👎
#ReimagineDublin
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
What we're witnessing with #Melissa is ultra rare in the history of known hurricanes in the Atlantic. This level of sustained intensity and feasting on every joule of ocean heat content without any real disruption is incredible.
Not hyperbole: Jamaica is facing a generational catastrophic event.
Not hyperbole: Jamaica is facing a generational catastrophic event.
October 28, 2025 at 2:23 AM
What we're witnessing with #Melissa is ultra rare in the history of known hurricanes in the Atlantic. This level of sustained intensity and feasting on every joule of ocean heat content without any real disruption is incredible.
Not hyperbole: Jamaica is facing a generational catastrophic event.
Not hyperbole: Jamaica is facing a generational catastrophic event.
I came back to Ireland this summer, full of hope and optimism that the climate crisis would be taken seriously here, and that I could serve the good of my country through Planetary Health.
This blasé complacency flies in the face of everything I returned for.
This blasé complacency flies in the face of everything I returned for.
Nature doesn’t negotiate.
Our leaders’ hope for a ‘discount’ is a yet another shocking, unforgivable, betrayal.
Our leaders’ hope for a ‘discount’ is a yet another shocking, unforgivable, betrayal.
Ireland hopes for a discount for missing EU climate goals
Ireland will miss its EU climate targets on agriculture, transport and buildings and likely face financial penalties, but can it secure concessions?
https://www.rte.ie/news/analysis-and-comment/2025/1027/1540633-analysis-comment-eu-climate-goals/#:~:text=Last%20March%2C%20the%20political%20system,billion%20and%20€26%20billion
October 27, 2025 at 3:06 PM
I came back to Ireland this summer, full of hope and optimism that the climate crisis would be taken seriously here, and that I could serve the good of my country through Planetary Health.
This blasé complacency flies in the face of everything I returned for.
This blasé complacency flies in the face of everything I returned for.
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
"It’s vital that we put money behind the idea of ecological capital, which is the natural wealth of soils, water, and biodiversity that underpins our entire economy. Without acknowledging its value, we keep treating it as free and infinite, right up until it’s gone."
Paying for Life
How results-based payments protect the invisible infrastructure of agriculture.
open.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 9:21 AM
"It’s vital that we put money behind the idea of ecological capital, which is the natural wealth of soils, water, and biodiversity that underpins our entire economy. Without acknowledging its value, we keep treating it as free and infinite, right up until it’s gone."
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
Imagine if getting around Dublin was as easy, and healthy, as it is in Copenhagen or Oslo.
Our very own @olaln.bsky.social writes in @thejournal.ie on why Dublin needs a fully integrated integrated transport app to get us moving. 🚋🚲🚌
Our very own @olaln.bsky.social writes in @thejournal.ie on why Dublin needs a fully integrated integrated transport app to get us moving. 🚋🚲🚌
Opinion: The people of Dublin deserve a proper public transport app
It’s frustrating to have to switch between different apps for one journey instead of it all being in one place, writes Dr Ola Løkken Nordrum.
www.thejournal.ie
October 26, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Imagine if getting around Dublin was as easy, and healthy, as it is in Copenhagen or Oslo.
Our very own @olaln.bsky.social writes in @thejournal.ie on why Dublin needs a fully integrated integrated transport app to get us moving. 🚋🚲🚌
Our very own @olaln.bsky.social writes in @thejournal.ie on why Dublin needs a fully integrated integrated transport app to get us moving. 🚋🚲🚌
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
Astounding that the first substantive mention of #climate in entire Presidential election campaign should occur during Catherine Connolly’s acceptance speech, which she rightly labelled an “existential crisis”.
Neither the main political parties nor our national media seem remotely interested.
Neither the main political parties nor our national media seem remotely interested.
October 25, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Astounding that the first substantive mention of #climate in entire Presidential election campaign should occur during Catherine Connolly’s acceptance speech, which she rightly labelled an “existential crisis”.
Neither the main political parties nor our national media seem remotely interested.
Neither the main political parties nor our national media seem remotely interested.
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
Spoiler: Dublin is not as green as it appears at first glance! 🌳🇮🇪
Learn how Dublin's green space is inequitably shared, and why our health should be a key reason to protect one of our last urban farmlands! 🌱
A collaboration by our own @olaln.bsky.social and @orlaghgaynor.bsky.social !
#Dublin
Learn how Dublin's green space is inequitably shared, and why our health should be a key reason to protect one of our last urban farmlands! 🌱
A collaboration by our own @olaln.bsky.social and @orlaghgaynor.bsky.social !
#Dublin
🌱 Is Dublin really one of Europe’s greenest capitals?
🩺 The brilliant @olaln.bsky.social and I explore how Dublin’s green space is unequally shared, & why building on its last urban farmlands would be a short-term fix with long-term health costs.
Read it here!
🔗 open.substack.com/pub/olanordr...
🩺 The brilliant @olaln.bsky.social and I explore how Dublin’s green space is unequally shared, & why building on its last urban farmlands would be a short-term fix with long-term health costs.
Read it here!
🔗 open.substack.com/pub/olanordr...
Dublin needs homes, but not at the cost of its last green spaces
The seemingly low-hanging fruit of a large plot of land in Dublin must be resisted.
open.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Spoiler: Dublin is not as green as it appears at first glance! 🌳🇮🇪
Learn how Dublin's green space is inequitably shared, and why our health should be a key reason to protect one of our last urban farmlands! 🌱
A collaboration by our own @olaln.bsky.social and @orlaghgaynor.bsky.social !
#Dublin
Learn how Dublin's green space is inequitably shared, and why our health should be a key reason to protect one of our last urban farmlands! 🌱
A collaboration by our own @olaln.bsky.social and @orlaghgaynor.bsky.social !
#Dublin
🌱 Is Dublin really one of Europe’s greenest capitals?
🩺 The brilliant @olaln.bsky.social and I explore how Dublin’s green space is unequally shared, & why building on its last urban farmlands would be a short-term fix with long-term health costs.
Read it here!
🔗 open.substack.com/pub/olanordr...
🩺 The brilliant @olaln.bsky.social and I explore how Dublin’s green space is unequally shared, & why building on its last urban farmlands would be a short-term fix with long-term health costs.
Read it here!
🔗 open.substack.com/pub/olanordr...
Dublin needs homes, but not at the cost of its last green spaces
The seemingly low-hanging fruit of a large plot of land in Dublin must be resisted.
open.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:38 AM
🌱 Is Dublin really one of Europe’s greenest capitals?
🩺 The brilliant @olaln.bsky.social and I explore how Dublin’s green space is unequally shared, & why building on its last urban farmlands would be a short-term fix with long-term health costs.
Read it here!
🔗 open.substack.com/pub/olanordr...
🩺 The brilliant @olaln.bsky.social and I explore how Dublin’s green space is unequally shared, & why building on its last urban farmlands would be a short-term fix with long-term health costs.
Read it here!
🔗 open.substack.com/pub/olanordr...
Dublin may look like a green city at first glance, but offers highly inequitable access to nature depending on the district.
It is a myopic fix to merely build housing developments on every available plot - we must protect our essential urban nature!
#ReimagineDublin
It is a myopic fix to merely build housing developments on every available plot - we must protect our essential urban nature!
#ReimagineDublin
Imagine a Dublin where the Metro takes you not just to and from the city centre, but to fields, farms, and forests.
We need build homes around green spaces, not on top of them.
Please read and share this piece written together with the brilliant @orlaghgaynor.bsky.social!
#ReimagineDublin
We need build homes around green spaces, not on top of them.
Please read and share this piece written together with the brilliant @orlaghgaynor.bsky.social!
#ReimagineDublin
Dublin needs homes, but not at the cost of its last green spaces
The seemingly low-hanging fruit of a large plot of land in Dublin must be resisted.
open.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Dublin may look like a green city at first glance, but offers highly inequitable access to nature depending on the district.
It is a myopic fix to merely build housing developments on every available plot - we must protect our essential urban nature!
#ReimagineDublin
It is a myopic fix to merely build housing developments on every available plot - we must protect our essential urban nature!
#ReimagineDublin
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
Between Grief and Nothing, I Will Take Grief.
Powerful read from our very own @orlaghgaynor.bsky.social!
Powerful read from our very own @orlaghgaynor.bsky.social!
Between Grief and Nothing, I Will Take Grief
The weight of silence of leadership falls heavily on those who care deeply.
open.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Between Grief and Nothing, I Will Take Grief.
Powerful read from our very own @orlaghgaynor.bsky.social!
Powerful read from our very own @orlaghgaynor.bsky.social!
In the aftermath of two weeks of climate-health events, the emotional trajectory has been turbulent and the weight of responsibility to upend the status quo feels immense 🌍
My latest Substack!
open.substack.com/pub/orlaghga...
My latest Substack!
open.substack.com/pub/orlaghga...
Between Grief and Nothing, I Will Take Grief
The weight of silence of leadership falls heavily on those who care deeply.
open.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:07 AM
In the aftermath of two weeks of climate-health events, the emotional trajectory has been turbulent and the weight of responsibility to upend the status quo feels immense 🌍
My latest Substack!
open.substack.com/pub/orlaghga...
My latest Substack!
open.substack.com/pub/orlaghga...
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
Another major issue with this post is the claim that Dublin already has over 300 km of “good quality” active travel infrastructure.
As far as we’re aware, that figure refers to a future target, not something that has actually been delivered or even come close to being delivered.
As far as we’re aware, that figure refers to a future target, not something that has actually been delivered or even come close to being delivered.
Forgive me if I’m wrong, but isn’t international best practice not to mix pedestrians and cyclists at crossings?
October 12, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Another major issue with this post is the claim that Dublin already has over 300 km of “good quality” active travel infrastructure.
As far as we’re aware, that figure refers to a future target, not something that has actually been delivered or even come close to being delivered.
As far as we’re aware, that figure refers to a future target, not something that has actually been delivered or even come close to being delivered.
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
Forgive me if I’m wrong, but isn’t international best practice not to mix pedestrians and cyclists at crossings?
October 12, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Forgive me if I’m wrong, but isn’t international best practice not to mix pedestrians and cyclists at crossings?
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
Meet TAPA — my vision for the fully integrated transport app Dublin should already have.
Dublin may not have the world’s best transport system (yet), but we can absolutely build a world-class transport app.
Would you use TAPA?
#ReimagineDublin
Dublin may not have the world’s best transport system (yet), but we can absolutely build a world-class transport app.
Would you use TAPA?
#ReimagineDublin
October 12, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Meet TAPA — my vision for the fully integrated transport app Dublin should already have.
Dublin may not have the world’s best transport system (yet), but we can absolutely build a world-class transport app.
Would you use TAPA?
#ReimagineDublin
Dublin may not have the world’s best transport system (yet), but we can absolutely build a world-class transport app.
Would you use TAPA?
#ReimagineDublin
As I attend the Planetary Health Alliance Annual Meeting, the message could not be clearer: we need urgent, brave, bold action NOW.
For a government minister to say this is downright negligent.
For a government minister to say this is downright negligent.
This is up there with Leo Varadkar's statement about how climate change could be beneficial for Ireland as one of the most dangerous, illiterate, and ignorant comments from an Irish politician on climate change.
They're playing Russian roulette with our future.
They're playing Russian roulette with our future.
Minister says climate costs warning is ‘back of envelope stuff’
Darragh O’Brien says he does not believe Ireland will face fines of up to €26 billion
www.irishtimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:43 PM
As I attend the Planetary Health Alliance Annual Meeting, the message could not be clearer: we need urgent, brave, bold action NOW.
For a government minister to say this is downright negligent.
For a government minister to say this is downright negligent.
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
This is up there with Leo Varadkar's statement about how climate change could be beneficial for Ireland as one of the most dangerous, illiterate, and ignorant comments from an Irish politician on climate change.
They're playing Russian roulette with our future.
They're playing Russian roulette with our future.
Minister says climate costs warning is ‘back of envelope stuff’
Darragh O’Brien says he does not believe Ireland will face fines of up to €26 billion
www.irishtimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:39 PM
This is up there with Leo Varadkar's statement about how climate change could be beneficial for Ireland as one of the most dangerous, illiterate, and ignorant comments from an Irish politician on climate change.
They're playing Russian roulette with our future.
They're playing Russian roulette with our future.
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
If you wonder why we are failing to reduce our transport emissions and why we have a dysfunctional car-centric transport system. This is why. This is who are invited to aa Oireachtas committee to discuss transport and climate targets...
The mind boggles.
The mind boggles.
October 8, 2025 at 9:12 AM
If you wonder why we are failing to reduce our transport emissions and why we have a dysfunctional car-centric transport system. This is why. This is who are invited to aa Oireachtas committee to discuss transport and climate targets...
The mind boggles.
The mind boggles.
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
As is, with his continued push to not only lift the Dublin Airport passenger cap but also to significantly increase numbers, Minister O'Brien seems more like a minister for worsening climate change than one responsible for climate action and a sustainable transport system.
Brilliant letter below!
Brilliant letter below!
October 7, 2025 at 8:35 AM
As is, with his continued push to not only lift the Dublin Airport passenger cap but also to significantly increase numbers, Minister O'Brien seems more like a minister for worsening climate change than one responsible for climate action and a sustainable transport system.
Brilliant letter below!
Brilliant letter below!
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
In my latest Substack, I explore how time outdoors sharpens our clarity, why psychologists say we’re wired for nature, and how urban parks can cool cities, filter air, and strengthen communities. 🌳
open.substack.com/pub/aislinna...
open.substack.com/pub/aislinna...
The People’s Parks
The co-benefits of green spaces and why we need to protect them
open.substack.com
September 28, 2025 at 8:10 AM
In my latest Substack, I explore how time outdoors sharpens our clarity, why psychologists say we’re wired for nature, and how urban parks can cool cities, filter air, and strengthen communities. 🌳
open.substack.com/pub/aislinna...
open.substack.com/pub/aislinna...
To write bravely, to call out systemic failures and injustices for what they are, is a virtue that should be lauded. This blog is not a personal attack on anyone, and certainly not the volunteer work in question. The need for the said VW warrants criticism of local government who shapes it, and...
I’ve had a lot of responses to this piece, so I want to clarify a few things.
Writing and posting views like this isn’t easy. It often leads to pushback, even when the criticism isn’t aimed at individuals.
Writing and posting views like this isn’t easy. It often leads to pushback, even when the criticism isn’t aimed at individuals.
I am sometimes criticised for being too negative and for failing to see the progress happening around Dublin. While that may certainly be true at times, I think the far greater issue in Dublin is that we tend to accept even the smallest progress as a major victory.
My most recent Substack!
My most recent Substack!
September 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
To write bravely, to call out systemic failures and injustices for what they are, is a virtue that should be lauded. This blog is not a personal attack on anyone, and certainly not the volunteer work in question. The need for the said VW warrants criticism of local government who shapes it, and...
Reposted by Orlagh Gaynor
In light of comments surrounding this recent blog post, we would like to affirm we fully applaud volunteer efforts to work towards a safer, healthier city. However, we stand by the author's original point that Dublin's planning ambition is severely lacking and we need to dream bigger.
I’ve had a lot of responses to this piece, so I want to clarify a few things.
Writing and posting views like this isn’t easy. It often leads to pushback, even when the criticism isn’t aimed at individuals.
Writing and posting views like this isn’t easy. It often leads to pushback, even when the criticism isn’t aimed at individuals.
I am sometimes criticised for being too negative and for failing to see the progress happening around Dublin. While that may certainly be true at times, I think the far greater issue in Dublin is that we tend to accept even the smallest progress as a major victory.
My most recent Substack!
My most recent Substack!
September 28, 2025 at 2:48 PM
In light of comments surrounding this recent blog post, we would like to affirm we fully applaud volunteer efforts to work towards a safer, healthier city. However, we stand by the author's original point that Dublin's planning ambition is severely lacking and we need to dream bigger.