Climate café event to take place in Birr next week

The Offaly Climate and Biodiversity Action Group is preparing to host a special 'climate café' event in Birr next week.

Richard Jack will be guiding participants on the subject of "A Look Beyond the Trees to Small Features of Biodiversity", with the free event set to commence at 6pm on Wednesday, February 25 at Birr Library.

The bidiversity group said the climate café will be a relaxed and inclusive space where people can have a chat over a cup of tea or coffee.

"The conversations will be wide-ranging. A positive focus will be placed on what we can do to get involved in climate action locally. We can all take action individually, but together we can achieve and inspire more collective climate action," a group spokesperson said.

The group, in association with Tullamore Tidy Towns, is also preparing to host a free walk in Tullamore Town Park next month, as part of National Tree Week. That event will be taking place at 11am on March 14.

Offaly Climate and Biodiversity Action Group was established last year and is continuing to grow its membership.

After six members of the group recently volunteered at Tullamore Rugby Club’s community tree planting day, founding member Joe Stewart said: “It was great to see so many rugby club members, along with community volunteers and children, coming together and making positive steps for our environment.”

The group's chairperson, Gaelan Elliffe, has invited community groups to contact them, saying: “Our voluntary group looks forward to helping on future biodiversity and climate projects. If groups have similar ideas or projects, and need some help for a few hours, please reach out to any of the committee and we will try to help where we can.”

Recently, nutritionist and Offaly Climate and Biodiversity Action Group member, Helene Rouget presented a talk in Tullamore Library on the subject 'Nature and Nurture - Healthy Foods for Us and Our Planet'.

Over 20 people attended to find out more information about how food choices have an impact on people's health and the planet's health.

After attending the talk, Bernadette Keeshan said she got sound advice on eating well and that Helene exposed the myths around food trends and fads which are often used as marketing strategies to sell products.

Bernadette said that food choices which are really good for our health appear to be naturally good for the planet too.

Notik Oshodi, another member of the audience, commented that the presentation was very informative and interactive with lots of questions welcomed by Helene. He added that the discussion regarding palm oil had a positive impression on him.

For more information on the upcoming Birr Climate Café, see Eventbrite for free bookings. Please contact offalyclimateandbio@outlook.com or see the group's public Facebook page for more information.