Headford hosts open conference on climate change

Headford Environment Group will host some of the country’s most well-known speakers on the subject of climate change on Saturday, April 16, in St Fursa’s Hall, Headford. Entitled ‘Climate Change and the West of Ireland, Global Perspectives – Local Solutions’,  the conference aims to highlight the issue of climate change, with particular reference to the west of Ireland.
“We particularly wanted to bring the conference to a community venue in Headford,” said Venetia Mc Ellin, a member of the Headford Environment Group, “because we want to highlight the relevance of climate change to the people of the West of Ireland.” The event is designed to attract local people, not just academics. Everyone is invited to come and listen to what the scientists have to say and find out less-reported facts, such as the effects of climate change on our particular biodiversity.
Speakers include Prof John Sweeney, who will give a global overview and predictions regarding the West of Ireland; John Gibbons, who will talk on the political commitment to addressing climate change; and Anja Murray, who will discuss the impact of climate change on our biodiversity.
The conference will aim to connect with farmers, homemakers, young people and older people, anyone who wants to find out what we can expect to happen to our climate. However, the group doesn’t want it to be all doom and gloom. “We also aim to highlight what we can do about climate change, as individuals and as a community,” says Venetia. “We hope to finish the afternoon by inviting some local people to tell us what they are doing in their own lives to combat climate change or create a sustainable lifestyle, and share their ideas with us.”
The event is funded by Agenda 21 funding and is free to all, but the group members ask that people planning to attend sign up in advance where possible, so that they have an idea of expected numbers.  

The conference will run from 10.30am to 4pm in St Fursa’s Hall (opposite Joyce’s), Headford, on April 16. For more, find Headford Environment Group on Facebook and check out the Facebook event page, Climate Change and the West of Ireland.