Remarks at the Eco-Unesco Young Environmentalist Awards
22nd May 2013
Tá áthas orm bheith libh anseo inniu do Ghradaim Chomhshaolaí Óg 2013. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le Elaine Nevin as ucht an cuireadh deas a chuir sí chugam chun labhairt libh, agus mo bhuíochas a ghabháil libh go léir as an bhfíor-chaoin fáilte a chur sibh romham tráthnóna.
Dealing with environmental issues in a globalised and increasingly technological age is possibly the most complex challenge the world faces in the twenty first century. Climate change, increased use of biofuels, air and water pollution, conservation, resource depletion and waste disposal are just some of the many concerns that need to be addressed urgently as we seek to create a more sustainable and better world.
The socio-economic effects of increased urbanisation have also been well documented and include increased energy, land and soil consumption; more overcrowding and congestion; and increased greenhouse emissions.
In addition, the critical issue of food security is also affected by our changing environment and is one of the most serious challenges facing the global community today.
The problems presented and questions raised are not simply scientific or technical ones; but ones which present us with some of the greatest moral and ethical dilemmas of the modern age.
For many years now countries across the globe have been trying to tackle these dilemmas and the myriad problems that our neglect of the environment has caused, and could continue to cause, future generations.
We know that major improvements have been made in some areas, particularly in the reduction of CFC emissions; that some progress has been made in others; but that in many areas we have considerable work to do if we are to reverse negative trends and ensure that the legacy we leave behind us is one that will reflect an increased responsible and ethical consciousness.
We also know that behavioural change must always be preceded by attitudinal change if that change is to be a genuine and long lasting one; and, thankfully, here in Ireland much work has been done in recent times to raise awareness of environmental issues amongst all of our citizens.
As a result of this work more and more people are becoming aware of how the accumulated actions of individuals have contributed to many of the problems we face today. With that awareness has come a realisation that many people taking small steps in the right direction can have an enormously positive overall impact as we work to reverse some of the negative trends our country and our world have witnessed over recent decades.
As a nation we are gradually, perhaps too slowly for many of those concerned, increasing our understanding of how we, as individuals and communities can become actively involved in the battle to save our planet – of the benefits of reducing, recycling and reusing our waste; the positive impact of consuming energy more carefully; the need to source our food more responsibly; and the many, many other ways in which we, as individuals, communities, schools and workplaces can carry out our responsibilities in a more sustainable manner.
There is evidence of this heightened awareness – the many people who now visit recycling facilities; the increased use of energy efficient light bulbs; the introduction of a levy on plastic bags; the growing popularity of locally produced foodstuffs; and the many other everyday ways in which so much is being done by individuals and groups in order to reduce their carbon footprint.
There remains however so much more to be done and initiatives like the Young Environmentalist Awards are important, indeed vital, as we continue to instill a sense of environmental responsibility into our society and our communities.
The Young Environmentalist Awards not only recognise and reward those inspirational young people who raise awareness of environmental issues and try to find solutions to difficult problems; they also encourage young people to get involved, to suggest new answers to old questions and to be resourceful as they work together to find new ideas, new ways of thinking and to question some of the perceived inevitabilities by which we live.
The young people taking part in these awards will be the decision makers, teachers, leaders, policy makers and creators of the future. If we are to work together to craft that shared future we must embrace the power of creative thinking to build a society which is environmentally sustainable and profoundly ethical and inclusive.
Today, seventy projects have been selected as finalists for this prestigious ceremony. The range of topics covered is deeply impressive, extending across a wide cross section of issues and concerns including water and air pollution; preservation of our eco-system; energy conservation; sustainable food production; waste disposal; and many other topics which present us with complex problems in a modern age.
All of the projects showcased here today demonstrate the capacity to imagine and realise a better world; and to harness inspirational vision to practical action in order to create that better world. It is uplifting to know that amongst our younger generation there are so many of the emancipatory thinkers who are essential to the creation of an enhanced future; a future where we will not be afraid to question the inevitabilities and to produce alternative solutions; solutions that are dynamic and inventively crafted.
Nuair a oirníodh i m’Uachtarán ar Éirinn mé labhair mé faoina thábhacht a bhí sé go ndéanfadh saoránaigh de gach aois a gcion samhlaíoch praiticiúil féin ar mhaithe lena bhfuil amach romhainn i gcomhpháirt. Is é ár ndúshlán uilig é, cosaint na timpeallachta. Is léir go bhfuil an chomhfhreagracht ar gach tír, ar gach eagraíocht agus ar gach saoránach, idir óg agus aosta, cabhrú chun srian a chur leis an tionchar atá á imirt againn ar chúrsaí aeráide. Tá sé de dhualgas orainn gníomhú, mar dhaoine aonair agus mar shochaí araon, chun dul i bhfeidhm ar na cúrsaí sin, chun ár dtáirgíocht cárbóin a laghdú agus chun gach rud a dhéanamh ar mhodh níos inbhuanaithe agus níos éifeachtúla.
I would like to congratulate all of the groups whose work is being presented here today. The Young Environmentalist Awards attract a large number of high quality entrants each year and it is an enormous achievement to be shortlisted for this event. The fact that your work has been recognised in this way is a reflection of the hard work, commitment, imagination and effort you have invested in your projects.
I would also like to commend the teachers, mentors and parents who have supported and encouraged you to think beyond the boundaries; and who I am sure have assisted you in many practical ways to achieve the impressive results demonstrated here today.
It is encouraging to know that so many of our young people are interested in protecting and improving our environment. I hope that your involvement in this competition is the start of a journey; a journey of hope towards a better future. I trust that you will all continue to be active citizens and participants in society in the years ahead, and that you will continue to be involved in your communities and to take a pro active role in the protection of our environment.
Finally I would like to congratulate the EcoUNESCO team who have worked so hard to make this competition a challenging but rewarding and enjoyable process and who do so much to create a better environment and a better society for all our citizens.
Thank you very much
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.