The Lie of the Land

Shortlisted for Non-Fiction Book of The Year, Irish Book Awards 2025

'An outstanding work' Michael D. Higgins

'Explosive' Irish Times

'An honest, uncompromising book that pulls no punches in identifying the powerful interests that are stymieing Ireland’s transition to a more equitable low carbon future for all. Essential reading for the public and policymakers alike.' Mary Robinson

‘A profoundly important and extremely well written and presented book’ Seán Ronayne

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A passionate case for reimagining Irish farming and agriculture in the age of climate change, from a respected environmental journalist.

Ireland has tended to think of itself as a ‘Goldilocks’ country: not too hot, not too cold, and well positioned to ride out the climate emergency. But this is a fantasy: the effects of climate change in Ireland will be profound, and at the moment we’re not doing nearly enough about it. That’s the bad news. The good news is that Ireland has the wherewithal to dramatically cut its emissions while making itself far more resilient. This book shows how it can be done.

Above all, we must reimagine the ways in which we use the land. The agrifood sector accounts for 38 per cent of Ireland's greenhouse emissions – and just 7 per cent of gross national income. As John Gibbons shows, Ireland's dramatic shift towards the most polluting food sectors – driven by a small number of agribusiness giants and facilitated by the state – benefits the few while imposing huge costs on the many. It doesn't have to be this way, and Gibbons, who grew up on a mixed farm, shows how we can embrace a low-emissions farming model while preserving farmers' livelihoods, making the countryside a better place to live, and delivering something Ireland conspicuously lacks: food security.

The Lie of the Land is a bracing critique of the bad decisions that have put Ireland into such a vulnerable position, and a devastating dissection of the wishful thinking and outright dishonesty that have propped up the status quo in Irish agribusiness. It also offers an inspiring vision of how – through a revolution in farming, development of renewable energy (including our vast offshore wind resource), and a dramatic acceleration of moves to decarbonize transport and housing – we can prepare for the new realities of the climate crisis.

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'Gripping, urgent ... offering a compelling, hopeful vision of a viable future. Crucial reading.’ Eoin Daltun

‘Well-argued and well-written’ Matt Cooper

'A bracing critique' The Currency

‘An education for anyone baffled by the rows that bedevil climate policy in Ireland and a glimpse at the alternatives to the business - as - usual approach. But mostly, it's a plea for honesty around topics when hiding from the truth has for too long been the national approach.’ Irish Independent

‘Compelling and impassioned … eye opening’ Sunday Independent

‘Read this exposé of malicious planetary negligence and be inspired to act before it’s too late’ Michael Mann

‘Offers some clear ideas for an Irish path into a safer future – the time for climate complacency has come and gone’ Bill McKibben

‘A benchmark book … the inside story from a great author of Ireland's failure to take the threat of climate change seriously’ Prof. John Sweeney

‘The best book I’ve read in years. An excellent, highly-engaging, well-articulated presentation of the scientific facts on the climate emergency. It’s addictive reading.’ Duncan Stewart

‘Kept me awake at night ... Gibbons has indeed done the State and generations as yet unborn some service’ Irish Examiner

‘This is the book to read to understand how global environmental change affects Ireland, how Ireland contributes to it, and how Ireland can become more resilient in the face of what is likely to come’ J.R. McNeill

‘Gibbons, in his recent book, belongs to the group fearing catastrophe, and the international scientific community is increasingly in agreement with him’ Irish Farmers Journal

‘Gibbons is fearless in addressing the naysayers, purveyors of disinformation and vested interests … in the future, people will look back and thank him for what he has done’ Eamon Ryan, former Climate & Environment Minister

‘Such a great read. The author’s honesty shines through’ Mark Mellett, former Chief of Staff, Irish Defence Forces

‘Dismantles the comfortable assumptions and wishful thinking that so often dominate climate discourse, bringing clarity and evidence where they’re so badly needed. Essential reading for anyone seeking an honest account of Ireland’s climate challenge’ Hannah Daly, Professor of Sustainable Energy, UCC

‘Gibbons’s up-to-date account of Ireland’s climate crunch makes these issues immediate and personal. Essential reading for anyone interested in Ireland’s future and public affairs’ Tony Holohan, former Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health

‘A tour de force from Gibbons … If you only read one book on climate, make this it’ Irish Doctors for the Environment

‘This is a bloody great read, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor a few times!’ Dr Colm Duffy, environmental scientist, University of Galway