Skerries group praised for its climate actions, coming 7th in a nationwide climate competition.

Recently, we took part in the Climate Heroes event. Under the stewardship of committee member Miriam Sweeney, we came 7th out of 59 teams in total! Committee member Hans Zomer writes:

Along with volunteers from community groups in 17 counties across Ireland, the members of “Sustainable Skerries” teamed up to combat consumption and take small steps to change their lives, their communities and the world.

Our friendly neighbourhood volunteers took part in the nationwide “Climate Heroes” competition organised by the charity Global Action Plan. 

The Skerries team was one of 11 teams from Fingal, who together logged over 16,000 climate smart micro actions, saving more than 15.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions – roughly as much CO₂e as is emitted by flying all the way around the world 1.6 times.

This result meant Fingal was the highest scoring County in the nation, for the second year in a row. Indeed, 5 of the top 7 teams in the country are from Fingal!

“Taking part in Climate Heroes made me more aware of the small practical changes I could make as an individual. When my small actions were added to the lifestyle changes that others were making, the resulting reduction in CO2 emissions were surprisingly significant,” said Máire Jones, one of the Sustainable Skerries team members. 

On average, each Sustainable Skerries participant saved some 193 kg of CO2e emissions – well above the average for all the competition participants (which was 97.5 kg per person). If people continue this commitment for the full year, it would result in a saving of 5 tonnes of CO2e emissions – a big chunk out of the average annual per capita emissions in Ireland, which is 11,900 tonnes.

The Sustainable Skerries climate heroes selected actions from a menu of 40 activities, which had been assigned average emissions rates and were themed around transportation, food, shopping, and energy. Participants could see the consequences of their actions in real time, compare them against their teammates and other groups, and visualise how small actions taken collectively can pack a powerful punch.

Supported by funding from Irish Aid, the competition was accompanied by webinars that explored the global dimension of climate change and spotlighted the amazing local work of citizens across Ireland.

“Our Climate Heroes have reduced their carbon footprints significantly, and more importantly have built a sense of collective engagement, community and empowerment. Their enthusiasm and dedication underscores the vital role of individual and collective actions in addressing the climate crisis,” said Alex Whyatt, Global Citizenship Coordinator at Global Action Plan. 

“In our webinars, we saw the amazing work that groups across the country are doing to make their communities more sustainable, inclusive and future-focused,” Whyatt concluded.

Reflecting on the broader impact of the challenge, Hans Zomer, CEO at Global Action Plan and himself a Skerries resident, expressed gratitude to all participants:

“The actions of the hundreds of people that took part in this unique challenge serve as an inspiration to us all. Sometimes global problems such as climate change can be overwhelming, but the people who took part in the the Climate Heroes showed that each and every one of us has the power to effect meaningful change.”

“As the world confronts the urgent imperative of climate action, volunteers like  these Climate Heroes give us hope and show what can be achieved if we work together.”