Mary Robinson addresses RDS Vision 2030

Over 260 attendees filled the RDS Concert Hall to hear Mary Robinson’s Vision 2030 presentation. The Former President of Ireland is widely recognised for the role she played in helping shape modern Ireland and her role with the UN where her energy and ability was recognised the world over. She is now bringing the same transformative drive and passion to the biggest challenge of our time, climate change.

Mary Robinson speaking at the Vision 2030 series

At a time when so many young people are taking to the streets demanding leadership and action on climate and the environment it is more important than ever for thought leaders, influencers and innovators, such as Mary Robinson, to bring us together on these issues and inspire us to play our part in making a real and meaningful difference.

During her talk, the scale and change required to make this difference was wrapped in a message of hope and unity. Leaving the audience inspired to take action rather than overwhelmed by the enormity of the problems.

She highlighted “climate anxiety” as an issue that has left many people feeling powerless against the scale of the challenge we face on the environment. She noted the best way to overcome this anxiety was through action and for people to take control of what they can do in their daily lives to reduce their carbon footprint.

Change by Degrees, a social enterprise started by Dr Tara Shine, and Madeline Murphy, in Kinsale, Co. Cork, provides information and advice on how we can be more sustainable. This Irish initiative was highlighted by Ms Robinson as the kind of innovative solution that can help empower people to take ownership of this issue and become more sustainable in their choices and actions.

She also highlighted the need for organisations such as the RDS to play its part in promoting the solutions that can help meet our emission reduction targets and to work with others to bring about these changes.

Mary Robinson is one of the most important voices in the fight for climate action and her call to action on building a more sustainable future was passionate and clear to anyone in attendance.