
Niamh’s
Nature Blog
Connecting you deeper to our natural world we all share our lives with

Ireland's failing climate policy: a lack of action
The Irish government has faced criticism for its lack of action on climate policy in recent years. Despite being one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, Ireland has been slow to implement policies to address the issue and reduce its carbon footprint. This blog explores the gap between climate promises and real progress — examining agriculture, energy, floods, and the rising cost of doing nothing.

Meet the world’s first tree (it was kind of a mess)
Now shift your gaze forward a few million years. The forest grows taller, denser, wiser. Enter Archaeopteris—the first “true” tree. Unlike its Cladoxylopsid cousins, it boasts deep roots, flat leaves, and a sturdy, woody trunk. It looks almost familiar, yet it still spawns spores like a fern. In the Late Devonian, Archaeopteris dominated entire continents, transforming floodplains into global greenhouses and pumping oxygen into the sky. Its leafy canopy fed rivers. Its roots reworked the soil. This wasn’t just a tree—it was an ecological revolution. This blog traces the forgotten rise of Earth's earliest forests, revealing how trees like Archaeopteris reshaped the planet—and why their legacy matters today.

Yes, we should bring back the Dire Wolf-but is this it?
Discover the fascinating intersection of science and philosophy in the quest to revive the extinct dire wolf. This blog examines the profound questions and ethical considerations behind genetic modification and ecological restoration, highlighting our deep connection to the past and our responsibilities to the future.

They killed the forest’s guardian and kept digging
This is what a guardian looks like. Not in armor, but in feathers. Not with weapons, but with presence. In the heart of the Bolivian Amazon, Indigenous protectors like him have long stood between the forest and its destruction. This blog tells the story of one such guardian—murdered for defending his ancestral land from illegal mining. It exposes the silenced war waged daily against nature and the people who fight to preserve it. When one of them falls, it’s not just a death. It’s a wound to the Earth itself.
Celtic tree astrology: which tree are you?
There is an old wisdom rooted in bark and branch, a green lexicon whispered through leaves: that who you are may not be written in stars, but in trees. Celtic tree astrology, born from the deep-listening Druids, tells of a time when the forest itself was map and mirror—each tree a keeper of personality, a shaper of fate. To walk beneath your birth-tree is to step closer to the self you were always meant to become. This blog is a journey into that ancient woodland of meaning—where oak speaks of strength, willow of intuition, and every tree tells a story of you.

Greenwashing: don't be deceived by eco-claims
Greenwashing has become a widespread practice in many industries, from cosmetics to fashion to food. It can be difficult to distinguish between truly eco-friendly products and those that are simply using green marketing to make a profit. In this blog, we will explore some of the most common types of greenwashing and offer tips on how to avoid falling for it.

Are carbon credits effective in reducing emissions?
Carbon credits have become a popular tool in the fight against climate change. They are essentially permits that allow companies or individuals to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases, with the aim of reducing overall emissions. But are carbon credits effective in reducing emissions? The answer is not a simple yes or no, but rather a nuanced explanation of how they work and their limitations. This blog reflects on the uneasy promise of carbon credits—permits to pollute wrapped in green intent. It explores how they work, where they fall short, and whether they truly serve the climate or simply soothe our conscience.

7 steps to remove your carbon footprint
Hey there eco-warrior! Are you ready to save the planet, one step at a time? Great, because reducing your carbon footprint is a super fun and easy way to make a big impact on the environment.

Nature & folklore: an interwoven legacy in Ireland
Irish folklore and nature have a deep and intertwined relationship that has been passed down through generations. From ancient tales of faeries, banshees, and leprechauns to modern legends of haunted forests and mysterious lakes, Irish folklore has always been steeped in the natural world. This blog follows that entanglement — tracing how place and story have grown together, and how the land still speaks, if we know how to listen.

Ivy does not kill trees: debunking the myth
Ivy has a reputation for being a ruthless "killer" of trees, strangling them and taking away their life force. This perception of ivy has been ingrained in many people's minds for years, and as a result, ivy is often seen as a nuisance plant that should be removed. However, this view is not entirely accurate, and it is important to understand why ivy has such a bad reputation and why it is so beneficial for wildlife.

Trees secret intelligence: a look at this hidden world
Trees have been a source of inspiration and wonder for humans for thousands of years. From the ancient mythologies that depict trees as guardians and protectors of the earth to the more recent scientific discoveries about their complex systems and processes, trees have captured our imagination and left us in awe. But what about their intelligence? Can trees be considered intelligent beings?

Ireland’s fake forests: why our “forests” are not natural
Conifer plantations are large monocultures of non-native conifer trees, such as Sitka spruce, pine, and larch. These plantations were introduced to Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to meet the increasing demand for timber. However, the introduction of conifer plantations has had a profound and lasting impact on Ireland's biodiversity, and has led to significant harm to the country's ecosystems. In this blog, we will examine what conifer plantations are, why they were introduced to Ireland, and why they are bad for Ireland's biodiversity.

Ireland’s vanished forests: where did they go?
Ireland has a long and complex history of deforestation that dates back thousands of years. The country was once covered in dense forests, but over time, the forests were gradually cleared for agriculture, fuel, and construction. Today, less than 10% of Ireland’s original forests remain, and the impact of this deforestation has been felt by the country’s environment, wildlife, and people. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the timeline and causes of Ireland’s historic deforestation.
