Conference hears how women can lead Ireland’s sustainability movement

Published by Sorcha McManigan on February 1, 2018February 1, 2018

February 1, 2018

Female experts, employees, and enthusiasts from the sustainability, climate and environmental sectors met in Dublin this morning to discuss how they can work together to achieve a more sustainable Ireland.

Taking place in the National Museum of Ireland this morning, the She Is Sustainable conference heard from six female guest speakers about their experience in the Irish sustainability movement.

The day-long event will focus on career development, overcoming obstacles for Irish women working in the sustainability sector and working together to achieve a more sustainable Ireland.

Speakers include climate expert Dr Cara Augustenborg, Laura Costello from Thinkhouse, a youth marketing agency, and biologist and media personality Eanna ni Lamhna.

What a treat to spend the day in a room full of inspiring sustainability warriors who are so committed to change. @NMIreland #SheIsSustainable pic.twitter.com/DBqDWROFMs
— Clodagh O'Reilly (@Cloers) February 1, 2018

Speaking to The Green News before the event, Dr Augustenborg stressed the importance for women to “keep fighting” to have their voices heard on sustainability issues. “If women feel such issues do not include them, we will never succeed,” she added.

“Acting as role models to other women, showing them sustainability is a concern that affects us, is so important to achieving a sustainable planet.”

Speaking during the conference’s opening session, Ms Costello told of the “unprecedented period” of change we are currently living through and called on women to embrace their role in this moment as the “unrivaled agents of change”.

She highlighted movements like #MeToo as examples of people coming together with “courage” to stand up for movements they believe in “wholeheartedly”.

She added: “If we want to make this world somewhere young people growing up today can live healthily, we have a lot of change to make. But, change isn’t something to be feared. Where there is intellect, courage, fearlessness, intent, and collaboration – for the right reasons – there will be success.”

https://twitter.com/AliJSheridan/status/959006159687602176

She Is Sustainable

Originally held in London in 2016, today’s event is the first She Is Sustainable conference to be held in Ireland and was organized was Gráinne Kennedy.

The Environmental Coordinator at the University of Cambridge said that she was inspired to organise the Dublin event after attending a She Is Sustainable conference in the UK two years ago.

Further information on the She Is Sustainable conference series can be found on their website here.

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