RTÉ has launched Heated,  a brand new six-part climate series which begins on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player tonight Thursday 26^th October at 8pm. 

Heated will sit alongside a number of large-scale climate based projects in the coming months as RTÉ continues to enhance its coverage of climate change and its impacts. 

Produced by indiepics for RTÉ, Heated seeks out inspirational stories of ordinary people making significant differences in their communities. It will look at the implications of that change for the lives of Irish people – telling stories of hope, inspiration and practical endeavors as we push to cut emissions.

Each week new RTÉ presenters Hannah Quinn Mulligan (Limerick organic farmer and journalist), Michelle McKeown (University College Cork lecturer) and Rónán Ó Dálaigh (Thriftify social entrepreneur and Dublin based activist) will bring us three stories about practical, informative or inspirational aspects of climate action. (Further information on the presenters and available photos in the Editor’s Notes below.)

The first episode in the series examines peatland restoration in Offaly, visits the only firm in Europe, based in Longford, who repurpose mattresses and finds out more about the first football club in the world to employ a full-time Climate Officer. (More episodic information available below)

Often climate change output is concerning – what governments aren’t doing – failing to reach targets – it can cause despair, desolation and that can leave people feeling powerless. This is a series based on citizen activism which finds groups and individuals who are doing something to make a difference. Heated will highlight how this can be applied by others around the country and how by following their example, we can make a big difference together. 

Tune in tonight on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player at 8pm. 

In Programme 1 – 26th October 2023 RTÉ One and RTÉ Player 8pm

Peatland Restoration – Bring the Bog Back
Peatlands are enormously important to the health of the planet as they store more than twice the amount of carbon stored in all the world’s forests. In Ireland, peatland makes up around 21% of our land mass – about 1.5 million hectares. But for many years people have been drying out peatland by putting in drains to make it suitable for farming, building and cutting turf. Michelle has been to Offaly, the county with the most peatland where 30 farmers have become part of a new European pilot project spearheading the idea of carbon farming. But is it possible to both protect the environment by wetting some of the land and also make a living?

Meitheals and Mattresses 
The Dublin Mountains, while beautiful, are alas prone to fly tipping on an almost industrial scale. Here, meitheals  are organised where volunteers clear our scenic areas of everything from domestic refuse to cookers, TVs and mattresses. Mattresses are an added environmental complication, because it has been impossible to recycle or repurpose all of the elements of the mattress… until now.  Hannah has been visiting the company based in Longford who are the only firm in Europe that is completely repurposing mattresses.

The Climate Goals of a Dublin Soccer Club
Dodgy decisions, club rivalries and excessive transfer fees – the world of soccer and soccer supporters is not one you would associate with sustainability.  However in Dublin City one club is changing that perception.  Bohemian FC is a wholly fan-owned club and has the honour of being the first football club in the world to employ a full-time Climate Officer. Can the club change its results off the pitch? 

Information on the presenters: 

Hannah Quinn Mulligan – Hannah Quinn Mulligan is a journalist and a farmer. She practises what she preaches on her own organic farm in Limerick, putting in place measures to cut agri emissions, including a commitment to keep her dairy herd to a very modest 50 cows. She has worked for BBC and is a regular contributor to RTÉ radio. 

Michelle McKeown – PHD – Dr. Michelle McKeown is a lecturer in UCC’s School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences. Michelle has a broad range of research interests in Environmental Science but specifically works on water quality and wetlands.

Rónán Ó Dálaigh – Business person, social entrepreneur and activist – who will look at business stories, repurposing , recycling … He is the creator of Thriftify the only dedicated online marketplace connecting charity shops with consumers, allowing the consumer to view and purchase from charity shops all over the country. In 2020 he was nominated as a leading 30 under 30 Entrepreneur. Thriftify has been awarded the Best Social and Sustainable Start Up and was recognised as a High Potential start Up. It has signed up 95% of Irelands Charity Shops to its platform.