Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Oonagh Duggan @naturenymph.bsky.social · 1d

I fnd myself getting v.angry listening to less than convincing commentary frm IFI & @epaireland.bsky.social on Countrywide abt Blackwater. Well done to @philipb-h.bsky.social for keeping the river in the news. Does govt care at all abt this & all rivers? www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

CountryWide Saturday 11 October 2025

People, events and happenings around the country, presented by Philip Boucher-Hayes.

www.rte.ie

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Reposted by Oonagh Duggan

Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) @swanireland.ie · 3d

EPA report:

💩 59% of sewage plants pollute our rivers & seas

😬40% of the failures can be quickly avoided as due to poor procedures, maintenance & training

Robust training & preventative maintenance + more urgent timelines on infrastructure needed.

www.irishtimes.com/environment/...

Raw and untreated sewage flowing into waterways amid delays to upgrade works

Environmental Protection Agency warns Uisce Éireann of prosecution for failures

www.irishtimes.com

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Reposted by Oonagh Duggan

Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) @swanireland.ie · 3d

SWAN Calls for More Urgent Action as EPA Report Exposes Persistent Sewage Failures

It “shows that more than 40% of the pollution failures are down to issues that could be rapidly addressed such as poor plant operation & inadequate maintenance & training"

swanireland.ie/2025/10/swan...

SWAN Calls for More Urgent Action as EPA Report Exposes Persistent Sewage Failures - Sustainable Water Network

The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN), representing 25 of Ireland’s leading environmental NGOs, has warned that the recent EPA Urban Wastewater Treatment Report [1] demonstrates that pressing failures ...

swanireland.ie

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Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) @swanireland.ie · 1d

The shocking list of chemicals and treatments that are allowed to be used in so called 'organic' salmon from fish farms in Ireland highlighted by SWAN Marine & Coastal Policy Officer at the @salmonwatchireland.bsky.social conference.

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Ariel Brunner @arielbrunner.bsky.social · 5d

Good news and hopefully a breakthrough in funding conservation along our flyway.

www.birdlife.org/news/2025/10...

It follows ground breaking work @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social has been doing in the East Asia- Australasia and the Americas flyways.

World Bank and BirdLife launch historic conservation push

The latest Global Flyway Initiative aims to save critical bird habitats and link three continents across the African-Eurasian Flyway…

www.birdlife.org

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Oonagh Duggan @naturenymph.bsky.social · 7d

@rteradio1.bsky.social Countrywide was top notch again yest. Anyone else hear it? The brutality of colonialism when a landlord tried to create the biggest sheep farm in Ireland. Farming, nature, artefacts in the landscape. Compelling listening. www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

Countrywide full episode: A special programme on new books about farms, rural life and nature

A special programme on new books about farms, rural life and nature.

www.rte.ie

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Reposted by Oonagh Duggan

Ariel Brunner @arielbrunner.bsky.social · 7d

Very proud that #RestoreNature campaign won the SER comms award.

Well done @birdlifeeurope.bsky.social @wwf.eu @eeb.org @clienteartheur.bsky.social

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Tara Peterman @tapeterman.bsky.social · 8d

www.rte.ie/news/2025/10...

www.rte.ie

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Jessika Roswall @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu · 9d

We are banning PFAS in firefighting foams. Good news for the environment and public health.
This is an important step forward to tackle PFAS pollution across Europe.

ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

Commission restricts the use of ‘forever chemicals\' in firefighting foams

Today, the Commission adopted new measures restricting the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in firefighting foams under the REACH Regulation, the EU\'s chemicals legislation. This is ...

ec.europa.eu

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Oonagh Duggan @naturenymph.bsky.social · 9d

It was great to be part of the @birdlifeeurope.bsky.social meeting on agriculture last week in Puck, Poland. Farmland birds are in serious trouble in Ireland. Farmers are stepping up & more financial support & encouragement needed to reverse the declines. Agri policy needs to support them.

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Oonagh Duggan @naturenymph.bsky.social · 10d

"Nature is our defence, we need it for resilience agst climate breakdown & biodiversity loss, dont weaken environmental laws or their implementation"@birdwatchireland.bsky.social Head of Policy Oonagh Duggan's msg to @ec.europa.eu Commr @marossefcovic.bsky.social at mtg w/ @envpillar.bsky.social

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Environmental Pillar @envpillar.bsky.social · 11d

Budget 2026 must mark a decisive shift and should be the starting point for serious investment in climate and nature projects to meet our legally binding targets and to avoid future costs and pain for the Irish people www.environmentalpillar.ie/government-s...

Government should plan prudently and invest in climate & nature projects in Budget 2026 - The Environmental Pillar

Budget 2026 must mark a decisive shift and should be the starting point for serious investment in climate and nature projects to meet our legally binding targets and to avoid future costs and pain for...

www.environmentalpillar.ie

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Oonagh Duggan @naturenymph.bsky.social · 10d

4606 @birdwatchireland.bsky.social members and supporters sent a submission to the @ec.europa.eu calling on them not to weaken environmental laws and threaten nature. People love nature and want it protected and restored.

Environmental Pillar @envpillar.bsky.social · 10d

Great to be at the handover of #HandsOffNature signatures to European Commissioner for the Environment Jessika Roswall. Nearly 200,000 EU citizens sent their messages urging the Commission not to touch the laws that protect our water, air, biodiversity, and much more

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Ariel Brunner @arielbrunner.bsky.social · 12d

This is just, scientifically, so wrong.

-Fragilised ecosystems lose carbon
-Damaged ecosystems make climate caused disasters like floods, droughts and fires a lot worse
-Biodiversity loss and pollution are as big threats to humanity as climate change, and as irreversible (on human time scale).

Contexte Environnement @envi.contexte.com · 12d

« Se concentrer sur le climat et arrêter d’essayer d’atteindre les autres objectifs environnementaux en même temps » : la doctrine du Parti populaire européen www.contexte.com/fr/actualite...

a man wearing a denim jacket and a black hat says sometimes you have to choose your battles

ALT: a man wearing a denim jacket and a black hat says sometimes you have to choose your battles

media.tenor.com

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Pieter de Pous @pieterdepous.bsky.social · 12d

It’s amazing what you find out when you ask business leaders about specific rules as opposed to generic hand waving over bureaucracy

EU leaders going hard with the worn out deregulation tropes should take note

E3G - Third Generation Environmentalism @e3g.bsky.social · 12d

New E3G survey of 2,500 #EU business leaders shows strong support for corporate sustainability rules. A majority back #climate transition plans, see sustainability as key to competitiveness, and want the EU to set global standards.

Read more 👇
www.e3g.org/publications...

What European business leaders think about the EU's corporate sustainability and due diligence rules

E3G commissioned a YouGov survey of 2,500 business leaders across Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Poland in August 2025. The results reveal strong support for robust corporate sustainability and du...

www.e3g.org

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Oonagh Duggan @naturenymph.bsky.social · 11d

These are important findings which rebuff the apparent roll back of the green deal.

E3G - Third Generation Environmentalism @e3g.bsky.social · 12d

New E3G survey of 2,500 #EU business leaders shows strong support for corporate sustainability rules. A majority back #climate transition plans, see sustainability as key to competitiveness, and want the EU to set global standards.

Read more 👇
www.e3g.org/publications...

What European business leaders think about the EU's corporate sustainability and due diligence rules

E3G commissioned a YouGov survey of 2,500 business leaders across Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Poland in August 2025. The results reveal strong support for robust corporate sustainability and du...

www.e3g.org

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Oonagh Duggan @naturenymph.bsky.social · 13d

Environmental damage is putting European way of life at risk, says report www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Environmental damage is putting European way of life at risk, says report

EU officials warn climate breakdown and wildlife loss ‘are ruining ecosystems that underpin the economy’

www.theguardian.com

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Oonagh Duggan @naturenymph.bsky.social · 23d

"We took out 450 fish in an hour’: Blackwater pollution highlights decade of poor environmental compliance"

Government must not wash their hands of the pollution in the Blackwater.
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...

‘We took out 450 fish in an hour’: Blackwater pollution highlights decade of poor environmental compliance

Finger of blame for failures pointed at EPA, which licenses dischargers including North Cork Creameries and Munster Joinery

www.irishtimes.com

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Reposted by Oonagh Duggan

BirdWatch Ireland @birdwatchireland.bsky.social · 24d

Check out this great segment from today's Morning Ireland about our seabird census work on the island of Ireland's Eye, a fantastic collaboration with Fingal County Council: www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

Greater protection given to breeding bird species on Ireland's Eye

Samantha Libreri, Eastern Correspondent, highlights BirdWatch Ireland's bird census on Ireland's Eye, off the coast of North Dublin.

www.rte.ie

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Oonagh Duggan @naturenymph.bsky.social · 24d

Farmers are not getting their due reward for farming in designated areas.
www.farmersjournal.ie/news/news/pl...

Ploughing 2025: 'hill farmers are becoming an endangered species' - INHFA

Farmers are not getting their due reward for farming in designated areas, Oonagh Duggan from Bird Watch Ireland said.

www.farmersjournal.ie

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Oonagh Duggan @naturenymph.bsky.social · 24d

Good day at #Ploughing2025 Was happy to be invited by the Farmers Journal to speak on a panel w/IFA & INHFA abt the biodiversity crisis, restoring nature, & actions farmers can take at farm level. There was consensus among us that the funding for nature restoration must be clarified & committed to.

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Reposted by Oonagh Duggan

Virgin Media News @virginmedianews.bsky.social · Sep 10

A North Cork angler says authorities are showing a lack of urgency in investigating the River Blackwater fish kill.

Inland Fisheries Ireland insists all agencies are committed, but Conor Arnold believes time is running out for real accountability.

#VMNews

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Reposted by Oonagh Duggan

BirdWatch Ireland @birdwatchireland.bsky.social · Sep 10

Today is the last day for you to send a message to ask the European Commission to keep their #HandsOffNature. Please, don't let them destroy EU nature protection laws👉 birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/adv...

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Reposted by Oonagh Duggan

Shauna Corr @shaunacorr.bsky.social · Sep 10

In a major U-turn on @daera-ni.gov.uk proposals to reduce agricultural pollution in Lough Neagh, Sinn Fein has now backed a motion condemning calls to 'scrap the nap'.
The party is also calling for North-South and UK action on the 'national crisis'
theearthscorr.substack.com/p/sinn-fein-...

Sinn Fein calls for North-South intergovernmental action on 'national emergency' Lough Neagh after U-turn

The party has now backed a motion condemning calls to remove NAP proposals to reduce agricultural pollution after voting against a public consultation on the plan

theearthscorr.substack.com

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Oonagh Duggan @naturenymph.bsky.social · Sep 10

The @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu #SOTEU address was sobering. War, fight, defence, unity, little mention of envt. I put my head in my hands at one point. And then this weird & enthusiastic (practically hollering) shout out for "CARS", Europe's cars.

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