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RDS Vision 300 Series

In 2031, the Royal Dublin Society will celebrate its 300th anniversary. For this occasion, we want to give Irish and international thought leaders 300 seconds to inspire change, recognising opportunities in their individual area of expertise addressing the climate change challenge of the next decade and beyond. For this online series, arranged by the RDS Enterprise Committee under the Vision 2030 series, we have identified key voices who are recognised drivers for change within their own areas of expertise and experience. Their unique insight and vision to deliver in these times of challenge can be a valuable catalyst for change. By sharing what drives their own passion to deliver a more sustainable enterprise, economy or society, they can inspire us all to make the big and small changes necessary as the window for addressing the challenges of climate change shrinks.

RDS Vision 300 Series

The RDS Vision 300 Online Series

A New Skills Story for Ireland in 300 seconds

With the insight of Shauna Dunlop, Director of Research, Future Skills Needs, Statistics and Risk at SOLAS, Ireland's Further Education and Training Authority.

From skills shortages and lifelong learning to the recently announced National Skills Observatory, Shauna explores how having the right data can improve Ireland’s ability to meet future challenges.

The Untapped Potential of the over 60s in tackling Climate Change in 300 seconds
With the insight of Jacinta Barrins, Founder of 60+ Climate Drive, encouraging older adults to discuss, challenge, influence and take action for a healthy planet.
 
This video highlights the power of the over-60s demographic within Irish society, and their motivation to tackle climate change. 
 
A vision for Sustainable Education, Action and Hope in 300 seconds
With the insight of Susan Adams, Founder and CEO of Education for Sustainability.
 
This video highlights what our schools and communities can do to build climate literacy and empower young people to take action.
 
Climate Adaptation - Hiding in Plain Sight in 300 seconds 
With the insight of Keith Lambkin, Head of the Climate Services Division at Met Éireann.
 
This video explores how climate data is being used in Ireland’s climate adaptation plans: from housing to roads, what are we doing differently to prepare for the consequences of climate change?
 

The Business Transformation Required to Succeed in a more Sustainable & Inclusive World in 300 seconds
With the insight of Tomás Sercovich, CEO and Meaghan Carmody, Senior Sustainability Advisor of Business in the Community Ireland.
 
This video explores how collective business action can drive change towards an inclusive, net zero and nature positive economy and society.
 
Irish Culture and Social Transformation: Lessons for the Green Transition in 300 seconds
With the insight of Prof PJ Mathews, Director of the Creative Futures Academy at University College Dublin, where he is a Professor of Irish Literature, Drama and Culture and Denyse Julien, the Deep Demonstration Senior Programme Manager at Climate KIC.
 
This video explores the deep-rooted connection between culture and agriculture, as PJ and Denyse examine how this historic relationship can serve as a powerful case study for Ireland’s role in addressing climate change.
 
The Power of Nature for Climate Action in 300 seconds
With the insight of Yvonne Buckley, Professor of Zoology at Trinity College Dublin and Co-Director of the Co-Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Water.
 
In this video, Yvonne delves into the nature-based solutions that can aid in tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and water quality decline.
 
How Food Empathy Can Fix the Future in 300 seconds

With the insight of Michael Kelly, founder and CEO of GIY (Grow It Yourself), a social enterprise that is creating a global movement of food growers to transform the food system from the ground up.

In this video, Michael explores the connection between changing consumer behaviours and reducing food miles, creating sustainable local economies and more resilient societies.

 

Ireland’s Unique Position from a Landscape Restoration Prospective in 300 seconds

With the insight of Matt Smith, CEO of Nature Restoration Charity Hometree.

In this video, Matt explores Ireland’s unique position from a landscape restoration prospective and the opportunity that presents to tackle challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and our connection to nature.

 

What Space can Teach us about Living Sustainably on Earth in 300 seconds

With the insight of Dr Niamh Shaw, Irish engineer, scientist, writer and performer, who was recently voted one of Ireland’s leading science communicators and STEAM specialists.

In this video, Dr. Shaw delves into the role of communication within communities embracing sustainability through the Town Scientist Project, shares insights from a Mars-simulated mission, and highlights the critical lessons learned about using our resources more effectively.

Earth as the Client in 300 seconds 

With the insight of Shelley McNamara and Yvonne Farrell, Founding Directors of Grafton Architects, Chris Croly, Building Services Engineering Director of Building Design Partnership, and Bernard Seymour, Managing Director of Bernard Seymour Landscape Architects

Shelley: "There is something exciting about sustainability, it is not all negative... if we rise to it, it can lead to the balancing out of the imbalances that have existed"

 
 
How Ireland can make sustainability work for the future of farming in 300 seconds

With the insight of Enda Buckley, Director of Sustainability at Carbery Group

Enda : "Why would you pursue sustainability? It actually makes financial sense : More money in the farmer pocket, obviously leaving the farm in a better state for the next generation, which is always at the forefront of farmer minds."

 

Why self-belief, and belief in each other will be integral to solving the housing crisis? in 300 seconds

With the insight of Harrison Gardner, Builder, Teacher, Author and TV Presenter

Harrison : "Having the skills to start using the materials that are coming into our home that we're buying every single day and repurposing them for something else. That's what circularity can mean within a community as well: that we empower everyone to be givers rather than assigning some people to only be receivers."

 
Connecting the dots between sustainable finance and climate innovation in 300 seconds

With the insight of Aideen O’Hora & Laura Heuston, Partners and Co-Founders of SustainabilityWorks

Aideen : "There is an opportunity there for new technologies and new innovation and new solutions to decarbonize our economic sectors."

 

Culture, the City and Sustainable Communities in 300 seconds

With the insight of Willie White, CEO of the Dublin Theatre Festival

Willie: "Culture gives cities life and cities are sustainable if we invest in culture."

 

Engaging and empowering young people to take positive environmental action in 300 seconds

With the insight of Elaine Nevin, National Director at ECO-UNESCO

Elaine: "Engaging, educating, inspiring and empowering young people to take action on environmental issues that they're concerned about."

 
Intelligence without ambition is like a bird with no wings. From Sea Blindness to Ocean Vision in 300 seconds

With the insight of Mark Mellett, Founder and Director of Green Compass & Vice Admiral (Rtd)

Mark : "The opportunity that will come from the maritime is extraordinary. Ireland in particular has probably the largest accessible renewable energy resource on the planet."

 
Why determination is key to unlocking Ireland’s clean energy future in 300 seconds

With the of Paul Deane, Senior Lecturer in clean energy futures at University College Cork

Paul : "Moving away from fossil fuels is one of the huge opportunities for Ireland [...], there would be more jobs here, and those would be meaningful jobs that would endure, that would help communities."

 
Upskilling Your Team to become a Sustainability Leader in 300 seconds

With the insight of Dr Tara Shine, Founder & co-CEO, Change by Degrees

Tara : "What we really want is to enable every single person in an organisation to have the skills to do their job in a more sustainable way"

& Madeleine Murray, Founder & co-CEO, Change by Degrees

Madeleine : "Ireland is the opportunity to create an entire culture of upskilled, resilient, knowledgeable people, that can transform how they live and do business."

 
Introducing Europe's First Demonstration Centre for the Circular Economy in 300 seconds

With the insight of Sarah Miller, CEO of The Rediscovery Centre

Sarah : "There is a real opportunity with the circular economy to engage with people in positive action, to address climate change and to really help people ingress more sustainable living."

 
Designing product service systems for a more circular economy in 300 seconds

With the insight of Enda O'Dowd, Lecturer & Course Coordinator in the National College of Art & Design

Enda : "The Polluter pays principle is a very good principle because it means that the polluter who creates the product needs to look after that product at the end of its life"

 
System change through design in 300 seconds

With the insight of Dr Frank O'Connor, Founder, anois
Frank: "Let's be the ones who actually take responsibility. Let's be the ones who show the way forward"

& Jude Sherry, anois
Jude: "We're at best place to show that if we can make changes in that and lead the way in that, we can actually show other countries it is possible to make a substantial shift in the direction that we're currently taking"

 
Future Proofing Social Housing in 300 seconds

With the insight of Ali Grehan, the Dublin City Council Chief Architect

Ali: "Cities, towns, villages are a big solution for climate change because when people live closer together they just share and use resources better"

 
 
Top of mind: the challenges to our future education system in 300 seconds

With the insight of Lord Puttnam, Chair of Atticus Education and Honorary Life Member of the RDS

David Puttnam: "How do you navigate between using all the new skills and retain the best of the old schools? That's teaching! That's the challenge for teachers!"

 
 
How regenerating our historic town centres can provide a solution to Ireland’s Housing Crisis in 300 seconds

With the insight of Alison Harvey, Founder and Co-ordinator of the CTCHC Programme
Ali: "The potential is just so immense because we've got all these empty buildings."

& Declan Mallon, Director, Upstate Theatre Project
Declan: "We think that it is probably the stepping stone to actually developing a good collaborative base for regeneration, particularly in the town centres."

 
 
Ireland’s opportunity to transform Europe into a “supergrid” in 300 seconds

With the insight of Pat Cox, Academic Economist, Broadcaster and Politician
Pat: “It has a global potential, but in an Irish context, we could be a kind of Saudi Arabia of offshore wind”

& Dr Eoin Hodge, Chief Engineer, SuperNode
Eoin: “We are building a superconducting cable technology, so it is absolutely a new system”

 

A vision for a more sustainable future for agriculture in Ireland in 300 seconds

With the insight of Ailbhe Gerrard, farmer, beekeeper, craft maker and agricultural researcher behind Brookfield Farm with a deep interest in agriculture, creativity and regeneration.

Ailbhe: "There is potentially an enormously positive and energetic community-based, joyful, profitable future for agriculture that I would very much like to be part of."

Learn more: https://www.brookfield.farm/

 

Ireland’s opportunity in Floating Offshore Wind in 300 seconds

With the insight of Dr Val Cummins, Project Managing Director of Emerald and Western Star
Val: "Floating Offshore Wind can hit on the triple bottom line in terms of the benefits that it has to offer. Benefits for People, benefits for Planet, benefits for Prosperity."

& Capt Brian FitzGerald, Director of External Affairs and Stakeholder Liaison
Brian: "Ireland could indeed become a very very successful place that will satisfy your own requirements, will export energy and will be the battery of Europe."

Both working in Simply Blue Group