Green Limerick: Uniting Limerick communities in fight against climate change

A DRIVE to take sustainability and community action in Bruff and the wider Ballyhoura Region to the next level has gotten underway.

Rhiannon Laubach, development officer with Ballyhoura Development, and EU Climate Pact ambassador, is leading the way with these initiatives.

Ms Laubach’s efforts are fostering a spirit of environmental stewardship and climate action among local residents.

In her role, Ms Laubach oversees the Ballyhoura Country Tidy Towns network.

This network has been active for 30 years and comprises over 30 Tidy Towns groups.

The Tidy Towns network has engaged in various educational and practical activities, including: edible landscaping workshops, encouraging residents to grow their own food, Barn Owl conservation and bird watching events, as well as home energy saving nights, teaching residents how to reduce their energy consumption.

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Two standout groups, Castleconnell and Bruff, have been particularly active in climate-related initiatives.

Bruff Tidy Towns, with 32 volunteers from diverse backgrounds including Czech, American, Ukrainian, and Irish, meets every Saturday morning.

Ms Laubach said: “The power of community is essential in addressing global challenges like climate change.

“Local action is key to making a difference.

“It’s inspiring to see individuals, communities, and organisations coming together to forge a path towards a sustainable future.”

The European Climate Pact, launched by the European Commission as part of the European Green Deal, aims to make the EU the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.

As a member of the climate pact, Ms Laubach contributes to this grassroot movement, which aims to foster a broad and inclusive climate action community across Europe.

It unites groups and people in the fight against climate change and helps them adapt to its consequences.