Satellite view of storm over the British Isles

UCD Earth Institute

UCD's institute for environmental, climate and sustainability research

About the UCD Earth Institute

Our multidisciplinary community of researchers work on topics relating to climate, water, biodiversity, plants for the future, sustainable communities, people, work and society, and the built environment.

We foster interdisciplinary research through an active programme of projects, initiatives and events designed to bring researchers and stakeholders together, to start new conversations, spark new ideas and support new collaborations.

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Research

Learn about the Marine & Energy Social Sciences & Humanities Interdisciplinary Research Group (MESSAGE)

News

22Oct

Presidential candidates' statements on climate and the environment

In recent days, we contacted the campaign offices of both Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys to get their insights on climate and the environment - and to find out how Ireland's environment might shape their vision for the Presidency. From supporting those delivering practical climate solutions, to creating community allotments at the Áras, each candidate provided us with a unique vision for their tenure should they be successful in this week's election.

12Oct

New interdisciplinary project funded under Strategic Priority scheme

New project funded through our Strategic Priority Support Mechanism (SPSM) call. Led by Karen Keaveney from the School of Agriculture and Food Science, the Rural Pact Ireland Framework project will develop a framework for Ireland's engagement with the European Rural Pact.

02Oct

Climate storytelling: How to spread the word in a time of denial

“There’s a lot of misinformation and disinformation around, particularly coming out of the United States. There are a lot of policies being reversed.”

These were among the comments made by Irish Times Environment and Science Editor Kevin O’Sullivan when he appeared as a panellist at a special climate storytelling event co-hosted by the Earth Institute and Athena Media in Dublin last week.

23Sep

UCD and Met Éireann launch new AI centre to bolster Ireland’s preparedness for changing weather and climate

A major new centre launched last Friday at UCD will harness artificial intelligence to transform weather forecasting, supporting Ireland’s preparation for the growing risks posed by climate change. The first of its kind in Ireland, the AIMSIR (AI for Meteorological Services, Innovation and Research) Centre was established with a €5 million investment from Met Éireann.

$Embedding Creative Practice as Research: workshops as part of new research culture project\n$ 27Aug

Embedding Creative Practice as Research: workshops as part of new research culture project

New UCD Research Culture ReCLAIM funded project on interdisciplinary collaboration and creative practice as research

27Aug

Catchments 2025: The environmental awareness project bringing artists, scientists and communities together

Two artists whose work has been showcased in some of Europe’s most famous galleries have been sharing their creativity on home turf through an Earth Institute-supported community project.

13Aug

International experts set to stream into UCD for fluid dynamics conference

An upcoming conference being hosted by UCD will bring together leading global researchers to explore the role of fluid dynamics in tackling the world’s biggest challenges.

06Aug

Coffee, walks and practical tips help inspire at Earth Institute Writing Retreat

If time and coffee are a writer’s best friends, there was no better place to be last month than the Earth Institute Writing Retreat, which was organised by Dr Dara Stanley and Dr Jon Yearsley.

05Aug

Food for thought: Catch up on our podcast collaboration with the Irish Farmers Journal

Interested in food culture? Hungry to learn more?

A recent podcast collaboration between the Irish Farmers Journal and the Earth Institute might just sate your appetite.

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.

Events

Photo credit: COP26, Glasgow 2024, William Gibson on Unsplash

05Nov

How to talk about climate change so that people actually listen

Climate communications expert George Marshall on how to encourage conversations on climate change to build a shared mandate for climate action.

30Oct

Learn about the links between social capital, conflict and climate at this week's coffee morning

This week's coffee morning presentation introduces a three-year research study examining the links between social capital, conflict and climate shocks in Somalia and Somaliland, led by Dr Caitriona Dowd of UCD School of Politics and International Relations. Focusing on the experiences of internally displaced persons (IDPs), the study sets out to understand how various subgroups of IDPs build resilience toward shocks and stresses through differential access to social capital.

28Oct

Our 'Adapt for the Future' seminar series begins with an exploration of blue carbon

Join us for a new UCD Earth Institute seminar series which will get underway at the Museum of Literature Ireland, Dublin, later this month. The 'Adapt for the Future' series will bring together scientific experts, policymakers and industry leaders to discuss how Ireland can respond to complex and interlinked sustainability challenges – from climate and energy transitions to infrastructure, coastal resilience, and behavioural change.

16Oct

Interested in rural affairs? Come along to our next coffee morning and be part of a 'pact' audience

Don't miss this week's coffee morning, where you'll get to hear about a new project funded through our Strategic Priority Support Mechanism call. The Rural Pact Ireland Framework project, which is led by Karen Keaveney from UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, will develop a framework for Ireland's engagement with the European Rural Pact.

09Oct

Take a deep dive into water quality at this week's coffee morning

By 2040, nearly 40% of the global population may face serious water scarcity. Even though water quality degradation is unquestionably linked to declining water availability, it is often overlooked in climate risk assessments. Join Dr Devon Kerins of UCD School of Engineering as she introduces a powerful tool to simulate the underground processes driving water quality.

Aisling Reilly Coffee Morning orchid pic

02Oct

Ireland's orchids the focus of our next coffee morning research talk

In Ireland, there are approximately 31 native species of orchid, with the Western Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza occidentalis) being unique to the island. Find out more about these orchids and what is yet to be discovered about these plants.

29Sep

Tell us a Story! Communications Training sessions

Join this online science communication training programme for early-career researchers to enhance your communication and research outreach skills through storytelling.

25Sep

Coffee morning research talk: Sustainable food systems in education

The second Earth Institute research talk of the academic year will be presented by Sarah Browne, and will focus on her research in the secondary school food environment setting and ongoing work to develop excellence in sustainable food systems education for nutrition and dietetic programmes in higher education.

22Sep

The importance of storytelling in a warming world

How do we tell climate and environment stories that connect with people and drive positive change? Join us for a lunchtime event on Monday 22 September, featuring writer and broadcaster Ella McSweeney, Irish Times Science and Environment editor Kevin O'Sullivan, nature poet Jane Clarke, biodiversity officer and podcaster Ricky Whelan, and UCD lecturer Dr Treasa De Loughry as they delve into storytelling and its power to inspire.

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