EARTH COMMENT
Earth Comment provides comment, opinion and explainers on environmental, climate and sustainability issues from leading experts in the UCD Earth Institute.
Latest articles
27Nov
The urban heat island, heatwaves and climate change
Cities are a nexus for many of the issues associated with anthropogenic climate changes, write Prof Gerald Mills and Dr Ankur Sati from UCD School of Geography. Although cities occupy less than 3% of the ice-free land, they are home to more than 50% of the world’s population and are responsible for more than 70% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Moreover, as most cities are located at low elevations, close to coasts, they are exposed to projected climate changes such as sea-level rise and storms.
Taking stock - the future of Irish housing
The commodification of housing is lamentable, writes Professor Gary Boyd, Full Professor at UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, given that so much is lost when its provision is left solely in the hands of private developers. Taking us on a whistlestop tour of 150 years of housing doctrine, policy and practice, he opens the door to our imagination by envisaging a creatively considered future housing stock that has sustainability and social cohesion at its core.
04Sep
Decline in ground-nesting birds in Europe: What are the implications?
A recent study across 10 European countries found that ground-nesting birds, particularly those nesting in agricultural areas, are at a significantly higher risk of decline than other birds. Not only does this trend signal major challenges for biodiversity, writes Dr Barry McMahon, Associate Professor at UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, it could have serious consequences for humanity itself.
11Mar
The Perpetual Motion Economy?
Can we engineer our way to sustainable growth, asks Dr Kevin Roche from the UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, or does the ideal of the circular economy defy the Second Law of Thermodynamics?
21Feb
Greater than the sum of their parts: why the aftermath of Storm Darragh highlights neglected disaster scenarios facing Ireland
Dr Ronan McDermott from the UCD Centre for Humanitarian Action and School of Agriculture and Food Science explains why the aftermath of Storm Darragh rather than Storm Éowyn is indicative of the complex multi-hazard interactions that climate change will present Ireland
17Jan
Lessons from a decade of climate politics in Ireland
With the publication of the draft Programme for Government this week by the incoming coalition of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, supported by Independents, Dr Cara Augustenborg (UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy) reflects on ten years of analysing and assessing Irish governments on their climate and environmental policies.
14Nov
Can sea water power the future of green hydrogen?
Climate change is having a major impact across Europe. The European Drought Observatory has reported that nearly 50% of the continent is under drought warning with southern European countries having already in place severe water restrictions. So where does the green hydrogen economy sit in all of this, asks Veronica Sofianos (UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering)?
27Sep
A UCD archaeologist at The Ploughing
Why would an archaeologist from UCD be interested in attending ‘the Ploughing’, one of the largest gatherings of farmers in Europe? Meriel McClatchie (UCD School of Archaeology), highlights the value of stepping outside the university to meet people from the wider farming sector, where together we can explore the deep history of farming in Ireland and its relevance for the future.
12Jun
Airflow and Architecture: How Fluid Dynamics Shapes Our Skylines
The tragic incident of the Baltimore Bridge collapse serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of integrating fluid dynamics into engineering practices. While the collapse of the bridge was due to the ship colliding with a bridge pier, understanding the prevailing current flows and how they might bring a ship off-course is hugely important, says Dr Jennifer Keenahan (UCD School of Civil Engineering).
29May
Saltmarshes - Much More Than Meets the Eye
Sitting unassumingly on the margins of our coasts, between tide and terrestrial, lie saltmarsh habitats. These habitats, long perceived as waste grounds and areas for land reclamation, are in fact a major ally in mitigating and adapting to climate change, says Dr Grace Cott (UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science).
About Earth Comment
Earth Comment provides comment, opinion and explainers on environmental, climate and sustainability issues from leading experts in the UCD Earth Institute. If you'd like to contribute to the series or would like to suggest a topic to be featured, please get in touch via earth.institute@ucd.ie.