Impact & Opinions | Tionchar & Tuairimí

Climate Action

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In Focus
23 June 2025
26  MINS

What Is Just Transition? Combining Expertise For the Global Public Good

Dr Una Murray, Programme Director MA in International Development Practice, University of Galway

It is well known that the negative impacts of climate change are not evenly shared and that impoverished rural communities are in greater danger from its effects. Researching ways to combat harm brought about by climate change is the cornerstone of Dr Una Murray’s work, particularly the use of social safety nets to alleviate damage. In this article, she explains how her research work across the globe has led her to the concept of the Just Transition, concerned with ensuring fairness in climate actions. Her vision is for a Just Transition cluster at University of Galway, engaging multiple disciplines in working toward the global public good and social justice.

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In Focus
02 June 2025
19  MINS

Into the Deep: Searching the Ocean For Climate Solutions

Isuri Weerasinghe, PhD Researcher, Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Galway

Cois Coiribe is delighted to highlight the journey of Isuri Weerasinghe, a current PhD Student with the Ryan Institute at University of Galway. She holds an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree in Marine Environment and Resources, which she regards as changing her whole life trajectory, prompting her move from Sri Lanka. To this day, her experiences continue to inspire her enthusiasm for this area of study. In this article, she explains where her inspiration comes from and her persistent passion for Ocean Sciences. 

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In Focus
23 May 2025
17  MINS

All Boats Rising: An Introduction to the Ryan Institute

Prof Frances Fahy, Director of the Ryan Institute, University of Galway

Cois Coiribe is delighted to share the thoughts of our Director of the Ryan Institute, Prof Frances Fahy. Embark on a journey of discovery, ambition, and expertise, and explore the evolving odyssey that is University of Galway’s transformative Ryan Institute. 

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People
20 May 2025
11  MINS

Student Voice: Peter O’Neill, 2024 Student Sustainability Leadership Award Recipient

Peter O'Neill, College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies (History) | Undergraduate Student

Peter O’Neill is a second-year history student from Ballymacward, Mountbellew, Co Galway. Peter has been involved in youth activism for four years, culminating in representing Ireland at the 13th UNESCO Youth Forum. In April 2024, University of Galway marked Earth Day by announcing the winners of the Student Sustainability Leadership Awards 2024, which students Molly Hickey and Peter O’Neill were recipient of. Cois Coiribe had the chance to catch up with Peter a year on from his award. Read on to hear what he had to say!

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Innovate Together
24 January 2025
21  MINS

Listening to Young People – The Key to Tackling the Climate Crisis

Dr Kathy Reilly, Lecturer in Human Geography, School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies, University of Galway

The climate crisis, a global challenge, disproportionately affects young people. They face the consequences of environmental changes and policy decisions made today; however, they are often excluded from the decision-making processes. The CCC-CATAPULT project, co-led in Ireland by Dr Kathy Reilly, Lecturer in the field of Human Geography here at University of Galway, offers a powerful platform for young people to actively engage, placing human experiences and perspectives at the forefront and ensuring young people have a voice. In conversation with Cois Coiribe, Dr Reilly delves into the intersection of geography, activism, and education, illustrating how projects like CCC-CATAPULT are a critical shift toward a more inclusive and equitable approach to global discourse. Read more about the project and her involvement as a geographer who’s passionate about positive impact. 

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SDG Champion
19 December 2023
17  MINS

A Better World Through Better Business

Dr Johanna Clancy

In a 1970 essay for The New York Times, Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman stated that “The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase Its Profits.” Fast-forward over 50 years, business is confronted with major socioeconomic, environmental and geopolitical disruptions, challenged as never before to adapt, be relevant and contribute solutions to the world’s pressing issues (AACSB Pathways) – as well as making profits.

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SDG Champion
18 December 2023
7  MINS

Ó Chois Fharraige go COP28

Dr John Caulfield

Céard atá le rá ag an nglúin óg in Éirinn faoin athrú aeráide? D’oibrigh foireann Ollscoil na Gaillimhe in éineacht le dhá mheánscoil Ghaeltachta i nGaillimh chun dóchas agus imní a ndaltaí a roinnt leis an domhan mór. 

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SDG Champion
15 December 2023
18  MINS

Imagine a Futuristic, Sustainable City between Galway and Dublin

Prof Padraic Kenna

We like to mix the global and the local in Galway. We talk a lot about climate, justice, land and housing, which is why the Sustainable Development Goals mean so much to us. Our greatest task now is to envisage the carbon-free, sustainable and inclusive communities of the future. ‘THE LINE’ offers a glimpse into what these could look like. 

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SDG Champion
17 November 2023
17  MINS

Aligning our Research with Sustainable Development Goals

Prof James Livesey

In today’s hyper developed and interconnected world, we see isolated actions give rise to global repercussions like never before. As a framework for addressing global issues, the UN Sustainable Development Goals are a call to action for universities to consider the wider impact of their research. Here VP for Research & Innovation, Prof James Livesey explains how the SDGs have inspired a new approach to research strategy and prioritisation.

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SDG Champion
25 September 2023
13  MINS

In Conversation: Ibec CEO, Danny McCoy

Danny McCoy

True prosperity calls for a balance between public and private sector, argues Danny McCoy, University of Galway alum and CEO of Ibec (Irish Business & Employers Confederation). With a varied career as an executive, senior economist and lecturer, this University of Galway alum has developed a strong perspective on the makings of a sustainable economy. Here, Danny sits down with Cois Coiribe to share his views on education, sustainability, globalisation and more.

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Resilient Innovation
28 June 2023
12  MINS

Spotlight On: Cormac Mac Donncha, Vice President, Thermo King EMEA

Many of us know Thermo King as an established leader in transport refrigeration, but fewer have heard of the manufacturing giant’s plans to reduce customer carbon emissions by one billion metric tonnes, by 2030. Here, Vice President (EMEA) and University of Galway alum, Cormac Mac Donncha discusses Thermo King’s plans to become a carbon-neutral global enterprise. 

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Resilient Innovation
22 June 2023
17  MINS

Putting a Cost on Climate Stress: AI Can Help

Dr Aaron Golden

The cost of climate stress to food production is monumental, and attempting to calculate that cost is a complex, data-driven task. 2023 ENLIGHT Impact Award Winner and PI of the TAPAS project, Dr Aaron Golden is harnessing the potential of AI deep learning to detect fluctuations in biomass production linked to climate change visible from space. This innovative technology identifies not only the cost of such climate stress, but identifies those regions most in need of intervention. 

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Sustainability
19 May 2022
25  MINS

Measuring Pollution in the Cleanest Air in Europe

Liz Coleman

Thanks to its unique location, research at Mace Head shows the extent to which the most remote areas in the world are affected by pollution. Observing the rise of Greenhouse Gases, Liz Coleman and her fellow scientists find it increasingly important to communicate their findings to the public. In collaboration with artists Paula McCloskey and Sam Vardy, and science engagement & education expert, Mairéad Hurley, Stories of the Air/Spéirscéalta aims to do just that – driving collective action through storytelling.

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