Experts head west for Climate Gathering

Experts from the worlds of science, business, politics and culture will be in Ballyvaughan later this month.
The Climate Gathering will bring together 30 leading thinkers on climate issues including Professor Daniel Schrag, from the board of scientific advisors to President Obama; Peter Vis, head of cabinet to the European Climate Commissioner; John Ashton, UK climate ambassador from 2002-2012; Marie-Hélène Aubert, advisor to the French President; Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, head of the Potsdam Institute; John Weaver, political consultant and former chief political adviser to Senator John McCain and former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson.

The Climate Gathering is an initiative that aims to “accelerate transformational change in how we approach the challenges of stabilising the climate and sustaining prosperity in the face of environmental limits. Through a series of annual gatherings in the West of Ireland, it will create an interdisciplinary network of political, business, scientific and cultural leaders who are impatient for progress and who recognise that political and cultural fears are the greatest obstacle to such a change”.

“We were told we would never get the right people furthest west in the middle of winter but they are coming. They are doing so because they share our conviction Ireland could be at the cutting edge of thinking on climate change and because it is just the place to advance creative thinking,” said convener, Eamon Ryan.

“They are coming because what we have to offer is different. Rather than seven-star hype and over-the-top security they will receive the sort of genuine Irish hospitality that sets up a safe space for dialogue.  The fact that such talks will take place in a beautiful landscape may help us address the key question as to how we can inspire people with the belief that a transformational leap to a cleaner economy is both possible and preferable. Our aim is to plant the answer to that question within the participating organisations and to then influence and change the ongoing international climate negotiations,” he added.

The Gathering will commence with a lunch by President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin before they travel to Ballyvaughan. Jim Miley, project director, The Gathering Ireland 2013 said, “I am delighted Ireland will be hosting such an important discussion during the year of The Gathering.

“The Gathering is a people’s project so it’s great news the Climate Gathering has responded to the call. Some of the world’s leading companies will host events this year as part of The Gathering and will invite people from around the world to celebrate.”

The discussions take place at The Burren College of Art between February 14 and 17.