This event was aimed at people concerned about the climate crisis and who want to take positive climate action as an individual and within their communities, the training gave people the knowledge and skills to start their own climate conversation. The training was not just on the science of climate crisis but covered a range of actions that can be taken to address the climate emergency and also covered the important topic of climate justice.
The event was opened by Cathaoirleach Wayne Harding who reinforced his and his Elected Members colleagues commitment to show leadership in climate action. A wide and diverse range of speakers participated in the event with keynote speaker Dr Cara Augustenborg explaining the science of climate change and the impact is it having on our world. Cara’s presentation detailed the urgency of the situation and painted a frightening picture of a very difficult world if we don’t take immediate climate action. However, she gave us hope; it is not to late to act and technology will play a huge part in solving the climate crisis. Caroline Corrigan, Climate Action Officer and Cllr David Gilroy, Chairperson of the Climate Action Forum (CAF) outlined the work of the Climate Action Team and CAF today and plans for the future.
The collapse of biodiversity was another area of huge interest to participants and Padraic Fogarty, Campaigns Officer with Irish Wildlife Trust, detailed the extent of biodiversity loss within Ireland and that up to a million species could be lost by 2030 if we do not take action to protect our wildlife. Biodiversity was a critical topic to cover as it is directly impacted by the climate crisis and must be considered as part of the climate crisis. Indeed back in July Meath County Council declared not just a Climate Emergency but a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency.
Other speakers on the day included Ali Sheridan, Gavin Harte and Heather Leeson who spoke about sustainability, Sustainable Energy Communities and sustainable and healthy eating respectively and outlined areas where individuals can have a direct positive impact on climate action. Bobby McCormack from Development Perspectives challenged our views on climate justice and equality and how we must embrace the Sustainable Development Goals. Finally, to break up a long day of training comedian and self-titled ‘Climate Worrier’ Colm O’Regan entertained us through the mid-afternoon slump.
Local writer and illustrator Oisin McGann recorded the day through art work, capturing the salient points from the speakers and the speakers themselves. This art work will now go on permanent display around the council buildings.
One of the highlights of the day was the presentation made by Sarah Donnelly and Ava Tully from Duleek National School who, along with their classmates, wrote a book about climate change taken from the perspective of a koala, Oisin might be put out of a job!
Every effort was made to make the event as sustainable as possible including a vegetarian menu using local and in season produce, no paper handouts, no plastics, lanyards made for waste material that can be reused again and the small amount of leftover food was donated to a local charity. Environmentally friendly goodie bags were also distributed at the end and included a number of books which could be read and re-gifted and a native Irish tree sapling. A prize draw was held at the end of the event and winners got to nominate a school to receive an Irish native tree.
Climate Action Officer, Caroline Corrigan, stated ‘we were delighted with the attendance, it’s a big ask to expect people to give up their Saturday for a full day of training. Our speakers were very well received and it was great to have so many like minded people in the one room and it was refreshing to see the passion the participants had for climate action, biodiversity and the environment’ And what next for the Meath Climate Academy? ‘We’ve an exciting schools climate summit planned for the 22nd February, more details about that coming soon’