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Colm Duffy

@colmduff.bsky.social

Father|Environmental Scientist|Software Engineer|Nature Lover |SciFi/Fantasy fan ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ ๐Ÿ ๐ŸŒŽ ๐ŸŒณ ๐Ÿ• ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช Currently University of Galway. Former: University of Limerick/James Hutton Institute.

326 Followers  |  637 Following  |  250 Posts  |  Joined: 24.11.2023  |  2.0021

Latest posts by colmduff.bsky.social on Bluesky

Submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy: Pitfalls of Adopting Temperature Neutrality as a Climate Target This record contains the formal submission from Dr Colm Duffy and Dr David Styles (University of Galway) to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy, dated 11 September 2025. ...

On the 17 September, a JOC (CEE) heard testimony on Temperature Neutrality (TN).

We made a submission otlining the risks of adopting TN and calling for the release of the Land Use Review 2 report.

This submission:
๐Ÿ“„ doi.org/10.5281/zeno...

Background paper: iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...

06.10.2025 11:21 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Well done @thinkorswim.bsky.social.

This is a bloody great read, had to pick my jaw up off the floor a few times!

If you ever write an autobiography, I will definitely read it.

03.10.2025 21:35 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 10    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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โ€˜She is ignorant of how ignorant she isโ€™: JK Rowling responds to Emma Watson rift The author has rebuffed conciliatory remarks made by the Harry Potter actor, saying Watson has โ€˜enthusiastically participatedโ€™ in the โ€˜trashing of womenโ€™s rightsโ€™

Words do indeed matter.

It's just a shame that Rowling only seems to recognise the injury other people's words do to her, without ever sparing a thought for the damage she has done to the rights, dignity and safety of many others.

www.theguardian.com/film/2025/se...

29.09.2025 21:45 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Israeli politicians react bitterly to international recognitions of Palestinian state Experts say move by nations including UK and Australia wonโ€™t change government policy and could strengthen its grip on power

Giving Hamas a prize?

I can assure you, this is not about prizes, and they certainly do not hand out prizes for the starvation of women and children.

If you would rather see people starve than recognise their right to self determination, then you are broken.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

22.09.2025 18:55 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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God in a Box Iโ€™ve been thinking about AI for some time now, and Iโ€™ve been experimenting with it in my daily workflow. It is undoubtedly powerful. It hasโ€ฆ

Are you living with AI Creep?

It is an important part of my workflow, its a notepad, a tutor, and a sounding board, for me at least.

It is reshaping everything from the classroom to our mental health in suprising, and sometimes terrifying ways.

Here is my take.

medium.com/@colmduffy/g...

21.09.2025 19:46 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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'Our Genocide': How do Israelis feel about the war in Gaza? โ€“ video Reporter Matthew Cassel speaks to Israelis in Tel Aviv, to see what they think of the war, famine and genocide happening next door, and the growing international condemnation against it

Pretty rough viewing at times.

I am staggered by the levels of hypocrisy and self-delusion.

I don't know how you reason with it when the conclusions reached are so unreasonable.

'Our Genocide': How do Israelis feel about the war in Gaza? โ€“ video www.theguardian.com/world/video/...

16.09.2025 12:05 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

John, whatever credibility and integrity you had was gone a while back.

Good luck to you, I hope you can find a better way of communicating with people.

It would seem to be part of your job.

10.09.2025 13:35 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

John, you're calling for their heads and me a "dope".

I do want to engage with the issue, but not on those terms.

I don't doubt you have a credible argument.

I am just not inclined to listen to people who call me names or take extreme positions.

10.09.2025 13:29 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

You're calling it malpractice. You are literally screaming hysterically rather than contributing to a debate.

Calling me names does not increase your credibility.

I am interested in both side of the argument.

Just not in being called names by a "journalist"

Grow up John.

10.09.2025 13:21 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Firstly, that's your subjective opinion. It's a podcast, not a courtroom.

Secondly, my main issue is not with your premise, it's your rage-baiting that I have an issue with.

There is enough toxicity everywhere you look.

Be better.

10.09.2025 13:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Malpractice? ... Tone it down a bit.

You can respectfully disagree. It's not like the world needs more polarised view points.

If you are going to contribute to a debate, then make a constructive contribution.

Stoking outrage is cheap.

10.09.2025 10:03 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I share concerns around tools that, misused, reduce engagement and broader understanding that you get from reading around topics.

But, perhaps there is a way to maximise the benefits and minimise the trade-offs.

There are some different takes in this podcast

open.spotify.com/episode/2bYR...

10.09.2025 09:50 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Not a lot I disagree with in John's big picture view.

08.09.2025 18:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

This looks pretty interesting ๐Ÿค”

Best I can tell, it's also free.

06.09.2025 11:26 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Through the Lens Systems Thinking No Additional Warming and Systems Traps

๐Ÿชค Its a trap!?

Does โ€œno additional warmingโ€ reinforce systems traps?

I take our recent paper on temperature neutrality and put it through a #SystemsThinking lens โ€” looking at how it reinforces the very traps we need to escape.

#ClimateChange #ClimateMitigation

๐Ÿ‘‰ medium.com/@colmduffy/t...

02.09.2025 10:17 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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(no title) Academia Against Apartheid

There is nothing defensible about the cruelty being inflicted on, and the engineered starvation of, people of Gaza.

I canโ€™t do much, but, like many other scholars, I have signed the Academics for Palestine pledge.

academicsforpalestine.org

01.09.2025 06:56 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Collapse of critical Atlantic current is no longer low-likelihood, study finds Scientists say โ€˜shockingโ€™ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic fallout

As if we needed another reminder that we are moving too slowly in terms of climate action.

The ability for us to alter this truly scary future is in our hands .... But not for long.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

28.08.2025 20:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 5    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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France summons US ambassador Charles Kushner over antisemitism allegations Kushner says in letter to Macron heโ€™s concerned over โ€˜rise of antisemitismโ€™ and โ€˜lack of sufficient actionโ€™ to confront it

Living in the "post truth" era is pretty distressing.

I have as much faith in statement from the US and Israel as I do from Russia.

The truth is, Israel is intentionally starving an entire population. It is in no way antisemitic to point that out.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

25.08.2025 07:21 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Sorry to disappoint anyone trying to polarise this.

Weโ€™re with farmers and communities, for a just transition built on fair, predictable policy.

โ€œNo additional warmingโ€ is a moving target and inequitable.

Set clear, stable, just targets to support a just transition.

archive.ph/8gbT3#select...

17.08.2025 10:30 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Row over 'temperature neutrality' vs 'climate neutrality' A big academic row has broken out among Ireland's climate scientists over the commitment to a "climate neutral economy" in the country's national climate objective, writes George Lee.

Disappointed to see our new paper being framed as an "us against them" fight.

We are contributing our work to the debate on Ireland's future in a respectful, evidenced based way.

There should be no issue with doing so.

www.rte.ie/news/analysi...

16.08.2025 10:30 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 28    ๐Ÿ” 7    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Screenshot of the scientific journal page containing the paper: "National temperature neutrality, agricultural methane and climate policy: reinforcing inequality in the global food system" by Colm Duffy*, Carl Doedens, Rรณisรญn Moriarty, Hannah Daly, David Styles and Malte Meinshausen, published in Environmental Research Letters, volume 20, Number 9

Screenshot of the scientific journal page containing the paper: "National temperature neutrality, agricultural methane and climate policy: reinforcing inequality in the global food system" by Colm Duffy*, Carl Doedens, Rรณisรญn Moriarty, Hannah Daly, David Styles and Malte Meinshausen, published in Environmental Research Letters, volume 20, Number 9

National temperature neutrality, agricultural methane and climate policy: reinforcing inequality in the global food system

iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...

๐Ÿ‘€โ›ˆ๏ธ #nzpol (it's about Ireland though)

12.08.2025 10:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 16    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The Irish Times view on climate policy: Government must avoid backsliding How methane is regarded in policy terms has big implications for carbon budgets up to 2040, which must be signed off on soon.

More coverage of our new "temperature neutrality" paper ๐Ÿ“„

The Irish Times editorial: โ€œGovt must avoid backslidingโ€ on climate policy
๐Ÿ”— www.irishtimes.com/opinion/edit...

#ClimatePolicy #Methane #ClimateJustice #NetZero

14.08.2025 07:21 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Academics warn Luxonโ€™s approach to climate targets risks worsening global hunger - Greenpeace Aotearoa Academics warn 'no additional warming' approach to climate targets will worsen global hunger and cause catastrophic climate change.

Our work is making waves overseas ๐ŸŒ

Academics warn Luxonโ€™s climate target approach could worsen global hunger:

www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/pre...

#ClimatePolicy #Methane #ClimateJustice

@hannahdaly.ie @roisinmoriarty.com

13.08.2025 13:51 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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How one countryโ€™s potential climate backslide could block others from feeding themselves, andโ€ฆ The Dangerous Allure of โ€˜No Additional Warmingโ€™.

What if wealthy nations could lock in high methane emissions and still claim climate neutrality?

Thatโ€™s the risk with โ€œtemperature neutralityโ€.

Hereโ€™s the plain-English version of our new study:

medium.com/@colmduffy/h...

13.08.2025 10:32 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 28    ๐Ÿ” 13    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 6

Find out more:

Irish Times: ๐Ÿ“ฐ www.irishtimes.com/environment/...

My blog Article: โœ medium.com/@colmduffy/h...

with thanks to all of the co-authors of this study

@hannahdaly.ie @roisinmoriarty.com

12.08.2025 07:04 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
National temperature neutrality, agricultural methane and climate policy: reinforcing inequality in the global food system - IOPscience National temperature neutrality, agricultural methane and climate policy: reinforcing inequality in the global food system, Duffy, Colm, Doedens, Carl, Moriarty, Rรณisรญn, Daly, Hannah, Styles, David, M...

If โ€œno additional warmingโ€ replaces net zero, is that progress โ€” or backsliding?

Ireland is our case study in a new paper ๐Ÿ”— doi.org/10.1088/1748...

We found it:
(1)Grandfathers high emissions from wealthy livestock nations, (2)Shifts burden,
(3) Fails on food security

#Methane #ClimateJustice

12.08.2025 07:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 28    ๐Ÿ” 12    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
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Galway West Independent TD Catherine Connolly triggers race for the รras - Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune Galway West Independent TD Catherine Connolly triggers race for the รras

personally, I would be delighted to vote for Catherine, as a student in Galway, she lent us support in our fossil fuel divestment campaign, and numerous other times.

just a lovely, decent person.

connachttribune.ie/galway-west-...

11.07.2025 11:44 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

The new An Post man has rocked up this morning, the 70s and 80s belters he blasts out every morning give me a nice little nostalgia break ๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ“จ๐Ÿ’Œ๐Ÿ’š

27.06.2025 09:38 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Randomised land use pathway generation allows efficient multi-outcome appraisal - Scientific Reports Scientific Reports - Randomised land use pathway generation allows efficient multi-outcome appraisal

We have a new paper out, in which we use brute force to identify combinations of land use/management changes which navigate the triple challenge of climate change, biodiversity conservation and food production: www.nature.com/articles/s41... #ConservationScience ๐ŸŒ @rspbscience.bsky.social 1/

24.06.2025 12:42 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 19    ๐Ÿ” 12    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Reminder: Feeling frustration, anxiety, anger and even despair is a rational responses to, and a natural consequence of, understanding climate change.

23.06.2025 14:47 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 47    ๐Ÿ” 10    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

@colmduff is following 19 prominent accounts