A gathering in the Market House, Monaghan this Saturday morning will consider plans for an event in 2016 to re-imagine Co Monaghan in 100 years time. The Transition Monaghan event which commences at 11am is open to all. In December, world leaders will meet in Paris for the crucial UN Climate Talks (COP21. A ‘People’s Climate March’ will take place in Dublin in advance of the Paris Summit to highlight the need for the summit to agree a legally binding agreement to avert climate chaos.  While different in scale to our gathering in Monaghan, the Paris gathering will be one that will also look to a sustainable and resilient future – where the needs of people will be met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.  This week we take a closer look at the Monaghan and Dublin events – there are other events related to climate change and sustainability that are listed in the Noticeboard below.  

 COME TO THE MARKET HOUSE THIS SATURDAY TO  RE-IMAGINE MONAGHAN’S FUTURE

 Climate Change will be one of the biggest issues in the next hundred years. It is important that we, as a community, respond by taking actions that will reduce our environmental impact while also preparing for the changes that lie ahead in all sector of life. We would like to invite all members of the public, to share their ideas on how we can re – imagine Monaghan’s future for the next 100 years, to ensure our continued prosperity and well – being in challenging times. It seems that the main challenge will be how to live in  a zero-carbon society and ensure that as individuals and communities we are resilient and that human rights and justice prevail. Increasing numbers of refugees arriving in our communities,  resulting from conflict and climate change, is an example of how the world is likely to be different in the coming years.

As part of Monaghan County Councils 1916 – 2016 commemorations, Transition Monaghan has been invited to prepare an event entitled ‘Re – Imagining Monaghan’s Future’, which will run next year. This will be an interactive, engaging and fun day of workshops which will present the various challenges and opportunities facing our county in a creative way. In particular we would like to invite local artists, actors, poets, writers, film – makers, singers and all creative types to consider how we can present these challenges in more engaging and appealing ways.

If you have any ideas for short plays, songs, poems, films, talks, workshops, or if you are simply curious about what other people think, then come along to our brainstorming workshop this Saturday in The Market House, from 11am to 1pm. Participation is free of charge and everyone is welcome. If you would like more details please contact Mícheál on 086 865 2724 or e-mail transitionmonaghan@gmail.com.

JOIN US AT THE PEOPLE’S CLIMATE MARCH ON 29 NOVEMBER

On the 29^th of November, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to take to the streets of cities across the world, to demand action on climate change, on the eve of the Paris Climate summit. Dublin will host its own climate march on Sunday 29^th November, and the organisers are calling on people of all ages, from every background to come out and show their ‘Earth Pride’. The march will leave from Custom House Quay, in the city centre, at 2pm. While the issue is of huge importance, the day itself will be light – hearted and will provide an opportunity to show solidarity with those who are worst affected by climate change. Transition Monaghan will be organising transport at a reasonable rate for anyone who wishes to join us on the day. More details will be released in next week’s Sustainability Matters column. If you are interested, or would like to receive an e-mail update, please email transitionmonaghan@gmail.com