Looking for ideas for a “Net- Zero Skerries”

Committee member Hans Zomer recently wrote the following article for Skerries News.
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Working on a shared vision for the future of Skerries

Hans Zomer

Skerries is a beautiful town of talented people. And we are going to need all the creativity, resilience and imagination of our people for one of the biggest challenges Skerries has ever faced: climate change.

The warming planet will not only result in extreme weather and rising sea levels, but also rising insurance costs, more diseases, greater economic uncertainty and even changes in our diet, as some of our regular staple crops won’t be able to grow in Ireland anymore. 

And that is why it is now time for us to team up and find new ideas for how we can get Skerries ready for the future. 

And dare I say it, we might be able to learn from our neighbouring town, Balbriggan! 

Fingal County Council’s draft climate action plan for 2024 to 2029 has placed Balbriggan in the spotlight, naming it a “Decarbonisation Zone”. What that means is that Fingal County Council will be working with the people of Balbriggan to come up with a plan on how to break the town’s dependence on fossil fuels. 

In Skerries, we’re already making strides with various sustainability and climate adaptation projects, such as the community garden at the Mills, the Open Orchards and the Biodiversity Plan. We now have a free bike repair service in the town, a Sustainable Energy Committee and a very active Tidy Towns group.  

But we need to think bigger: What is needed now is a plan, shared by the whole community, for a transformative path for the town. 

And that is why we now need Dreamers — people with innovative ideas and bold visions, for how to make our streets safer, our town greener, our homes warmer, and end our dependence on gas, oil, and plastics.

Join the Dreamers

As we embark on this journey towards a greener Skerries, your ideas matter. Join the Dreamers’ Movement — share your visions, participate in community discussions, and help shape the narrative of our town’s sustainable future.

Skerries has the potential to become a beacon of sustainable living and a national leader of community climate action. Let’s take inspiration from Balbriggan’s commitment and collectively contribute to a greener, safer, healthier and more environmentally conscious town. Together, as Dreamers, we can turn aspirations into actions and redefine Skerries’ destiny on the path to a zero-carbon future.

Let’s embrace the challenge, ignite the conversation, and work hand in hand towards a greener and more sustainable Skerries. Our small town has the potential to be a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together for a common purpose. 

So share your ideas and hopes with the folks at sustainableskerries.com, or by email via  sustskerries@gmail.com. They will use your ideas to come up with a plan for the future of Skerries – a future that is in our hands. 

Let’s dream big, act boldly, and build a Skerries that generations to come will be proud to call home.