Environmentalist Éanna Ní Lamhna calls for ‘small actions to make change’

Renowned environmentalist, author, and RTÉ presenter Éanna Ní Lamhna is calling on the people of Inishowen to take a stand and make small changes in their daily lives to try and combat climate change.

Speaking during the Wild Talk event to a packed Colgan Hall in Carndonagh. Éanna said she wanted to speak to the crowd about how the world is changing. 

“I think it is the first year people are realising climate change is happening here in Ireland,” she said.

During the 90-minute talk in the Colgan Hall, which was organised by the Inishowen Development Partnership (IDP), in collaboration with ChangeMakers,  Éanna commended the people of Inishowen for turning out to see her and to reflect on the importance of nature and the environment. She also praised community-led organisations such as IDP for bringing her to Inishowen and fostering community engagement in environmental issues.

“It is great when you get a community that’s going to work together,” she added. 

The renowned author, who is about to realise her fifth book, called on people to take small actions to make change because if more and more people make these changes then the community as a whole is becoming more sustainable. 

“Don’t buy fruit such as strawberries when they are out of season…that means they have to travel hundreds of miles to get here. If we don’t buy these foods, supermarkets won’t stock them,” she said. 

“Don’t use bleach on your toilet – there are other cleaners available which are not harmful to the environment and your septic tank. Get a compost or brown bin from the council to avoid food going to landfill.  Consider how we use the land we have; Ireland has lost 50% of its biodiversity since the ‘70s because of the way we have changed land use. Plant trees. 

“If you can afford it, use solar power where possible, grow wildflower meadows, avoid plastic bottles and do  not use weed killer,” she added. 

On day two of her trip to Inishowen, Éanna travelled with members of IDP to Barrack Hill Town Park in Carndonagh and Wild Inishowen’s Sharagore Wetland Trail in Desertegney. At both sites, Éanna, a former president of the National Tree Council, planted trees, met with community and environmental groups and explored the area, whilst also chatting with and meeting local volunteers and school children. 

Éanna Ní Lamhna, right,  with Carmel Doherty checking out the produce at the Barrack Hill community garden in Carndonagh

She was impressed by both natural sites, saying that they were a credit to the people of Inishowen and all their volunteers. 

In Barrack Hill, committee member and volunteer Carmel Doherty said Éanna’s Wild Talk in the Colgan Hall was “an utter absolute joy”. 

“When there is so much negativity out there at the minute it was great to hear someone speak so positively about what we can do to make a difference,” said Carmel. 

“Your down-to-earth attitude, passion and positivity about what we must do sent us all home uplifted. 

“To us, this park is the jewel of Inishowen – it is a phenomenal achievement that a park like this was developed in Carndonagh. We have planted around 500 or 600 trees in the last five years, and we are the only Green Flag Park in Donegal – something which we are immensely proud of and we are so happy to show it off to Éanna today,” added Carmel. 

Similarly, Colm Grant of the Wild Inishowen Club said the club was delighted to be able to show off the work it has started at Sharagore. Éanna spent time exploring the trail, speaking with volunteers giving them advice fully endorsed the work they have done and are continuing to do. 

“It was great to have someone like Éanna with us at Sharagore,” said Colm.

“She had such enthusiasm for the work that we do and encouraged us to keep going. She gave us great advice how we can progress the project – it was great that IDP brought her up and brought her to meet the community groups and show her the work that is going on in Inishowen on the ground.”

Éanna Ní Lamhna with volunteers at Barrack Hill Town Park in Carndonagh

IDP Team Lead Denise McCool said the event and follow-on meetings with local environmental and community groups was in response to their needs as identified through ECO Inishowen.   

“Communities and groups across Inishowen are actively addressing biodiversity loss and environmental challenges,” said Denise. 

“They are increasingly aware of the local and global links and work on initiatives such as Fairtrade, local biodiversity action plans, stopping pesticide use, recycling, and nature-based solutions.  “While we recognise the scale of challenges and the need for government action regarding climate change and mitigation, communities continue to play their part to be the change and take action. The opportunity to come together for events like this and stay positive in the work is important,” added Denise. 

As a follow-up to Éanna’s visit to Inishowen, Myra McAuliffe project coordinator with ChangeMakers Donegal, who co-organised the event with IDP, is now calling on businesses and social enterprises in Donegal to further support the great work local voluntary community groups are doing, with support from the community sector, by becoming more environmentally friendly in everything they do. 

“With Sustainable Development Week approaching from September 20 to 28, at a time when Ireland and the world need to reduce emissions as quickly as possible, ChangeMakers Donegal is inviting social enterprises and businesses in Donegal to sign up for its free sustainability programme. 

“Through mentoring and sharing of resources, ideas, and practical information tailored to Donegal audiences, we aim to help organizations adopt sustainable practices. This, in turn, will help them save money, attract customers, set themselves apart from competitors, and most importantly, ensure a safe, healthy and successful future for our local community and the planet as a whole”. 

To find out more about the Sustainability Passport see: www.changemakers.ie/sp.