2022 CONFERENCE ON INTERGENERATIONAL CLIMATE JUSTICE
“Enough is Enough! And it Needn’t Cost the Earth.”
Comhdháil ar Cheartas Aeráide Idirghlúine
“Tá ár sáith againn! Ní chaithfidh an domhan fulaingt a thuilleadh.”
Date: Thursday, 20 October 2022 via Zoom. (9am – 3:15pm)
This conference explores systems that exacerbates the climate crisis and considers changes we can make for a more sustainable future. It is for anybody interested in the Climate Crisis, in particular school class groups, individual adults and community groups are invited. Please register at www.intergenclimatejustice.ie (closing date for registrations is 11 October 2022)
Why this Conference? It has long been acknowledged that climate change raises issues of justice, since it is the poorest people, both globally and locally, who suffer first and most. But recently there is a growing realisation of the further aspect of injustice between the generations, highlighted so starkly by the words of Greta Thunberg to world leaders in 2018: “You say you love your children above all else, and yet you are stealing their future in front of their very eyes”. Her words have woken many people to the way in which our unsustainable way of life is leaving an impoverished, world to younger generations. This is starkly highlighted by the most recent IPCC report, which has declared CODE RED for our future.
This conference is intended to encourage thought about how the systems we live in must change if we are to live justly and sustainably, and provoke constructive action toward possible solutions. It provides an opportunity for young people and adults to find inspiration to become agents of change, and provide steps towards personal and community action.
Format of Conference:
The day is designed to help people face the reality of climate chaos, and to look constructively at how the system can change. Speakers from Ireland and the Global South will draw attention to the impact on the earth and communities today. We will:
- look consumerism and the linear economy.
- learn how systems currently function, and consider alternative frameworks focused on sufficiency.
- hear from Kinsale community school about steps they’re taking to reshape their systems.
- examine principles for a just and sustainable system.
Eco-UNESCO will facilitate an afternoon workshop encouraging us to explore possibilities for a sustainable, thriving community.
Our speakers include: Professor Peadar Kirby (University of Limerick and Cloughjordan Eco-Village), Michelle Murphy (Research and Policy Analyst with Social Justice Ireland), Professor John Sweeney (Maynooth University), Dr Anne B Ryan (Member of FEASTA: The Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability), Rachel Power (Irish co-ordinator, Climate Reality Project), Klaus Harvey (Sustainability Chaplain at Kinsale Community School), Haninga Chikumbi (Luyobolola Primary School, Mazabuka, Zambia) and Prince Papa (Laudato Si’ Movement Africa).
Chair: The conference will be co-chaired by Theresa Rose Sebastian, university student, climate activist and co-founder of the Re-Earth Initiative; and Denise Cahill, Cork Healthy City Co-ordinator.
Organisers: The Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA), Society of African Missions (SMA), the Social and Health Education Project (SHEP), Elders for Earth, the North Cathedral and Blackpool Parish Climate Justice Group, St. Anne’s Shandon Justice Group, and Eco-UNESCO.
Registrations: www.intergenclimatejustice.ie (closing date for registrations is 11 October 2022)