We are living in a time of huge change.
Urgent and global conversations are happening in our classrooms, on our airwaves, on TV and in our social media feeds.
It’s easy to wonder what difference we can make when it seems so overwhelming. Where do we start?
Climate Action Portarlington is a new community group asking the same question.
What started as a Facebook page at the end of August is building momentum and the group is hosting its first event in Portarlington Library on Wednesday November 27 from 6pm to 7pm.
The event will feature Jack O’Neill, a Leaving Cert student from Colaiste Isoagain who is now an Taisce Climate Ambassador.
He was nominated by An Taisce to participate in the UN Youth Climate Summit in New York in September 2019. His role has also taken him around Ireland speaking about biodiversity, green schools and climate change. Jack will talk about his experiences and work to date.
Climate Action Portarlington members will talk about building awareness locally and some community ideas in development.
One of the members Sinead O’Reilly said, “We are small group of local Port people. Like many others, we are worried about what we are hearing and reading about.
“We are not experts; we are interested in seeing how we can support each other locally to make the changes and choices we need to make for climate action.
“When a lot of people commit to doing small things, we can begin to make a difference”.
Eve Daly another member said: “Hearing about the damage we are doing to our planet, can be frightening for people.
“We wish to help channel some of that anxiety into empowering people to do what they can do, to help make positive change.
Sarah Heaney, who recently joined the group said: “If we can inspire each person in Port to commit to just one change; 8,000 acts of change in one community will make a big difference in helping our future.
“Jack O’Neill is an inspirational young man living in our town who is serious about what is needed to be done.
“We are sure people will be inspired by his trip to the UN, rubbing shoulders recently with Mary Robinson and other work he is involved in nationally.”
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