Letterkenny woman Nuala Carr is a Cool Planet Champion for Donegal. And with that role, she is sharing tips on how we all can take action to help the environment:
Where did January go?! Those New Year resolutions are still going strong, I hope? Climate action resolutions and pledges can be made any time, any day and the sooner the better! By making changes in our behaviour (big or small), we can make a difference to the rising levels of greenhouse gas emissions.
Here are some very admirable ‘New You’ climate action resolutions to think about.
- A pledge to cycle to work every day
This is a great challenge, showing great example and leadership. For many of us, commitments can get in the way of such a challenge, but making the effort to use the car less, walk or cycle, where possible, is the first step to reducing our dependence on fossil fuelled transport, unless of course you can afford a new electric vehicle.
- A pledge to reduce consumption of red meat and dairy
Going vegan or vegetarian may sound a bit too drastic for some, but you could try meat-free Mondays or Falafel Fridays.Challenge yourself to try a meat-free day a week and try out new meat-free recipes to explore the range of tasty, healthy vegetarian options out there.
If that is too much to ask, try buying locally sourced meat and vegetables to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation, which has the added benefit of reliable sources.
[Check out the new diet recommended by 37 scientists from the EAT-Lancet Commission
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-46865204] - A pledge to buy less stuff
Reducing single-use plastics is a tough challenge, when nearly everything comes wrapped, packaged or is made of plastic. Why not try buying less stuff! Mass production of goods has resulted in a ‘throw-away’ culture.Think of the 5 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair and Refuse. Before buying anything, think of the end-of-life cycle of the product. Do you really need it?
- A pledge to get more involved in local climate change initiatives!
In the absence of government leadership on climate change, it is up to citizens at a local level to take action. Get out there and find out what is going on in the community, or start up a local initiative or campaign.
How about a campaign to your local politician about the state of public transport in Donegal?Greta Thunberg, a 16 year old, Swedish climate activist, started a campaign to raise awareness of global warming outside the Swedish Parliament. Greta is now a global phenomenon, having inspired school children throughout Europe, Australia and the US to join the campaign ‘Fridays for Future’. Children have rallied for climate action in Dublin and Cork, with numbers increasing at each event.
A historic case was heard at the High Court in Dublin on Tuesday, January 22
nd, when Climate Case Ireland (www.climatecaseireland.ie), who represent citizens of Ireland, took the Irish government to court for failing to take appropriate action against climate change. The case was inspired by similar cases in other countries, including the Urgenda case in the Netherlands, where a non-governmental organisation and 900 Dutch citizens successfully challenged the Dutch government on grounds of climate inaction.
Any change, big or small, is worth doing. Don’t wait, start today!
Nuala Carr has many years of experience in industry as an environmental consultant, having trained as an ecologist in the University of Ulster, Coleraine. She has worked as a project manager for engineering companies, managing the environmental impact assessment and planning stages for infrastructure projects, such as onshore wind farm developments.
Nuala is now carrying out research on the social acceptance of marine renewable energy through Queen’s University Belfast.
Should anyone wish to learn more about climate change, please contact Nuala to arrange an informal talk or presentation for your local school, community group, business or organisation. Email: nuala.carr@gmail.com
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