Climate Change BlogPhysical, Chemical and Mathematical Sciences CommitteeGrants and AwardsHamilton Day We want to hear from winners of the RIA Hamilton Prize for Mathematics since 2002 This year marks the 20th year of Royal Irish Academy Hamilton Prizes for Mathematics. Every year mathematics departments in universities across Ireland are invited to nominate their "best" student in their penultimate year of undergraduate mathematical studies for the Hamilton Prize. We awarded the first prizes to nine young mathematicians from nine institutes in 2002. Twenty years later there are now 18 ..read more

Science CommitteesClimate Change and Environmental Sciences CommitteeClimate Change Blog How academics, members of the public and policy makers can work together to research solutions to climate change challenges. Find out more in this blog by Dr Paul Bolger, UCC. By Dr Paul Bolger Manager, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork No. 12 in the Current Opinion Series of the RIA Climate Change and Environmental Science Committee.  ‘We live in a world that is complex, deeply interconnected, and human health and planetary health are woven into one. So governments nee ..read more

Science CommitteesClimate Change and Environmental Sciences CommitteeClimate Change Blog Availability of a secure supply of clean water is a necessity that comes at a high cost, but has an as yet unrealised value. Find out more in this blog by Professor Fiona Regan, DCU. By Professor Fiona Regan School of Chemical Science, and The Water Institute, Dublin City University  No. 11 in the Current Opinion Series of the RIA Climate Change and Environmental Science Committee  Water is the most precious commodity in the world, but it is not the most valued. We are wasting water. All of us ..read more

PublicationsClimate Change and Environmental Sciences CommitteeClimate Change Blog RIA author John Sweeney reflects on climate and society in modern Ireland in the latest issue of Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. According to RIA author John Sweeney, 'Irish society has been slow to react to climate change concerns and only through a series of catalytic extreme events has public and political attitudes shifted, induced by both ‘bottom-up’ activism and ‘top-down’ international agreements. Accordingly, Ireland is now on the threshold of taking the radical steps necessary to shed its ‘cl ..read more

Science CommitteesClimate Change and Environmental Sciences CommitteeClimate Change Blog Measurements made in the ocean in recent decades have improved our understanding of the physical connections between ocean and atmosphere and of the role of the ocean in climate. Find out more in this blog by Professor Peter Croot, NUI Galway. By Professor Peter Croot Earth and Ocean Sciences, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway No. 10 in the Current Opinion Series of the RIA Climate Change and Environmental Science Committee  Most people when asked ..read more

Science CommitteesClimate Change and Environmental Sciences CommitteeClimate Change Blog We must build resilience to a range of challenges, including that of climate change. Individuals play a critical role in our combined path to a resilient economy and society. Find out more in this blog by Dr Olga M Grant. By Dr Olga M Grant Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Current Opinion Series (number 9) of the RIA Climate Change and Environmental Science Committee Globally, our climate is changing, and the rate of change is increasing.[1] Climate change is already ‘lock ..read more

Science CommitteesClimate Change and Environmental Sciences CommitteeClimate Change Blog Circular pathways - our future for regenerative and sustainable living. Burdens of Consumption   2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the first widely shared Earth Day celebration around the world but our growth in population and modern lifestyles does not reflect a celebration for the planet’s health. Humankind is placing ever increasing burdens on our Earth’s ecosystems and finite resources [1] . We are testing the limits of the planet’s systems to provide resources for basic human needs and fo ..read more

Science CommitteesClimate Change and Environmental Sciences CommitteeClimate Change Blog There are many paper records from the nineteenth century containing handwritten weather observations from various sites around Ireland. Finding these records and rescuing the data from them is not an easy task but could prove more useful than you might expect. Is it a seven or a nine? It’s not obvious at first glance, but by carefully scrutinising a few of the pages it’s possible to identify the handwriting style of numerals. It seems to be a nine, although the ink has faded slightly and the observer ap ..read more

Science CommitteesClimate Change and Environmental Sciences CommitteeClimate Change Blog In just a few weeks, the Covid-19 pandemic has led us to mobilise crisis response and best determine how we can live with the pandemic in the short term. The next stage, and one that we eagerly await, is how we can ignite new growth once vaccines and treatment solutions are available. This 3 stage cycle involves rescue, recovery and transformation to a new form of growth and development once the acute phase of the pandemic is over. One thing that this crisis shows us is how fragile our economies actuall ..read more

Science CommitteesClimate Change and Environmental Sciences CommitteeClimate Change Blog On 22 and 23 June 2020 the Supreme Court will hear the appeal in Climate Case Ireland, a challenge to the State’s National Mitigation Plan.[1]  This case raises important issues of constitutional law, human rights law and climate governance.  Its significance is reflected in the fact that the appeal will be heard by a panel of seven judges of the Supreme Court.  Issues relating to climate change have increasingly come before the courts around the world, most notably in the Urgenda case wh ..read more