Connected News
Latest stories from Irish people and communities making a difference
Tommy: had a sustainablility dream, and went for it.
I set up a 2.5 acre sustainable market garden. What started off as hobby gardening is now scaled up to about 2.5 acres in producing fruit and vegetables. I wondered if it was possible to produce food in a sustainable way, both environmentally and financially, and as efficiently as possible. I completed the ideas academy with Social Entrepreneurs Ireland which really helped me understand the problems that I see with our food system and how to best use my skills to try to solve them.
Avril, Sligo, “Don’t make it a one time thing, make it a habit”
I Upgraded to reusable water bottles and tea cups, and started buying second hand clothes. I generate less waste. Now I feel guilty throwing away a coffee cup. A lot of the waste that you put in the recycling isn’t really being recycled and instead it is being exported to third world countries. I also really like the value of second hand shops.
Joe oB: Bikes to work on the scheme that could work for nearly everyone
We were always a two car family. When my own car was up for renewal I looked into the bike to work scheme. I found out that the electric assist bike would work well for me: it’s quite an uphill journey in parts and so I didn’t feel that the standard bike was for me. I also saw that the bike to work scheme meant that I got the bike more or less for half price. It makes total economic sense when you factor in cost of even a second hand car, the petrol, tax and insurance. The sustainability benefits are very obvious.
Brian – uses the train for distance commutes
Even though I live in Mayo and work in Dublin I have switched to cycling and commutes using the train instead of a car.
Sustainability, reducing CO2 emissions, and from a practicality perspective, it’s actually safer.
Victoria, Wicklow, and ‘Fridays for Future’
" It's empowering, even if you're not getting the change you need, it still brings hope."Location...
Peadar: Try to find local sources of local food
I joined Cloughjordan Community farm. The farm is a group growing scheme that provides memebrs with 60 varieties of veg fruit and herbs. There’s a community of 90 members plus people coming each week visiting the village. The food is all organic and the soil is regenerated naturally.