The Skibbereen Climate Action group met for the first time at the West Cork Hotel on November 20. Organised by Jim O’Donnell and Noel Casserley, the purpose of the meeting was to bring interested people together from across the local community and business to discuss how Skibbereen can become a centre of excellence for action on climate change and renewable energy.
Jim O’Donnell, of O’Donnell Furniture, opened and introduced the event highlighting the need for everyone to act and pay their part in relation to the climate emergency. Jim talked about how his grandchildren were a driver in making him want to do more, but he also outlined the practical advantages that would accrue to building owners and occupiers through lower energy costs.
Alicia O’Sullivan, from Skibbereen Community School and Ireland’s representative at the 2019 United Nations Youth Climate Action Summit, spoke about the urgent need for Governments and people to take action to address the climate emergency. She spoke about the impact of climate change on the most vulnerable communities in the global context and highlighted how countries like the Marshall Islands are extremely vulnerable and will be devastated by the effects of climate change.