I meet Marie Donnelly in Kinsale, Co Cork on a warm, pleasant day allowing late-season tourists to enjoy their lunch outside the town’s cafes and restaurants. There can be only two reasons for the clement weather: the Irish climate’s well-known ability to detect when children head back to school, and immediately turn up the thermostat; or the more sinister influence of global warming. It is to discuss the second option that I have come to meet the new chair of the state’s Climate Change Advisory Council in the seaside town, where she has been based since retiring from a three-decade…

Join The Currency

Sign up today: Full annual membership for just €200.

Don’t miss out on what is going on with our daily unique stories from our team of skilled journalists and insightful commentators.

Members of The Currency get full access to over 2,500 exclusive interviews, investigations, and analysis, plus over 180 podcasts.

Annual membership is just €200 for the first year, a saving of €100.

Or try The Currency for the first month for a special introductory rate of €5, a saving of €20.

Cancel at any time.

To become a member today click here.