Panel 2 is about the arts as a way to respond to the climate crisis. Writer Kerri Ní Dochartaigh notes that a mature oak tree is home to 2,400 other creatures - "we need to be more oak" she says

5. Link to Human Rights Defenders (you get dashcams and body cams apparently!)

6. Link to European Council and make submissions to public bodies such as national parliament and UN.

Fidelma O'Kane of the Save Our Sperrins anti-gold mining campaign gave a list of recommendations for environmental campaigns to succeed:
1. Use media (both social and traditional)
2. Network, locally and internationally
3. Link with other NGOs
4. Get someone elected to office.../

Our first panel of speakers takes up the theme of environmental defenders - Sarah de Roure of @frontlinedefenders.bsky.social lists many indigenous activists being attacked by private security companies and governments.

Irish people wanting to take action to protect the environment should focus on their TDs (members of parliament) - a concerted campaign of writing to public representatives can be very effective says Mary Lawlor @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social , speaking at the @dcuclimate.bsky.social conference today.

Mary Lawlor
@marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
ends with a quote from an indigenous leader: "Man did not weave the web of life. He is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself".

In her work as UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social says she has prioritised environmental rights defenders - fossil fuel extraction should be considered criminal, but it is the activists who are being prosecuted

@dcuclimate.bsky.social director @diarmuidtorney.bsky.social puts today's event in context and welcomes attendees

"Everyone has the right to take peaceful action to protest against breaches of human rights...states should consider climate activists as human rights defenders" - @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social

Now up is our keynote speaker Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social

Here's what to expect from today's event - please follow us on @dcuclimate.bsky.social for the day.

We want to explore how the arts and humanities can help us understand, explore, and somehow deal with the unfolding climate and biodiversity crises. And what a way to kick off today's conference than with a recital from the DCU Campus Choir.

Great post Ellen. I've just been to see Wicked with my daughter and shared your blog with her, which sparked a great discussion about anthropocentrism!

I also recommend this editorial in the @irishtimes.bsky.social calling for political courage and leadership on climate in Ireland: www.irishtimes.com/opinion/edit...