Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan today (Thursday, 28 March) launched Climate Actions Work – a new, first of its kind national engagement and communications campaign to support and encourage action on climate and community resilience over the coming year.
The new engagement campaign will focus on hearing from, and working with, local communities – talking directly to people to help combat climate change. This campaign will focus on local people and places, encouraging and supporting climate actions that are designed and developed by communities themselves.
The launch was hosted by Dublin 8 resident, environmental volunteer, writer and comedian Colm O’Regan, whose recent book ‘Climate Worrier – A Hypocrite’s Guide to Saving the Planet’ grapples with many of the difficulties and paradoxes that people encounter when it comes to climate action, in a humorous and honest way.
The launch took place in Dublin 8 because it is a microcosm of the wealth of climate action already taking place right across the country – in urban and rural communities. There will be a full programme of activity throughout the year, including launches and events that will focus on what’s happening in rural Ireland.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Minister Ryan said, “We know that Irish people care about climate change, that they are concerned about its effects on their lives, but importantly that they believe that climate actions work – that this can make our country more resilient, help create new green jobs and opportunities and improve our quality of life. As a government, we must listen and act, so that we are supporting people to take climate action that works best for them and their community, from the ground up.”
“This campaign, which will take place over the coming year, will build on the momentum that is already happening right across Ireland. From bog restoration in Roscommon to community energy in Cabra. Every place and every person matters when it comes to climate. The Government, working with local authorities and community groups, has put in place structures and resources to support this work. In addition, a new flexible fund will help those organisations – who often rely on volunteerism – with the smaller costs associated with their invaluable work. We want to celebrate what’s already happening, share learnings across communities and encourage new people to get involved in making their town, their suburb, their townland a better place to live now and into the future.”
Over the coming year, it will work with groups up and down the country to amplify the huge amount of climate action that is already taking place, provide support to groups where needed, and encourage more people to get involved in taking climate action together.
At the same time, the Government will continue to concentrate on the large, systemic climate actions that will make it easier for people and communities to make more sustainable choices where they are living.
To support community groups particularly, the Government will also make flexible micro-funding totalling €1 million available over 2024 and 2025 to help with smaller administrative and communications costs – the practical things that too often inhibit people and groups from taking action.
In addition, the Government will work with a range of climate communications experts to develop special training, toolkits and advice for groups, including business and professional groups, who want to do more to make their place better and more climate resilient. Over the coming weeks, a creative advertising and social media campaign will also be rolled out to support the engagement campaign and to tell people how they can get involved in their locations.
