North Kerry Environmental Forum
March 19, 2019
In your own words, tell us about your project.
North Kerry Environmental Forum is a local community forum /association who are passionate about all matters relating to our environment, in particular sustainable development, biodiversity, climate change and our natural habitats, sustainable villages and towns, renewable energy resources, coastal zone management, sustainable eco travel /tourism and marine life.
Founded in 2009 with the addition of a social media platform in 2012 to enable greater awareness and broader reach on the issues of climate change, impacts of coastal erosion, the increasing pollution of our oceans and detrimental impact on marine life-it was of fundamental importance to our founder to increase awareness locally but also to affect a positive change in human behaviour.
A number of advocacy campaigns also have been established which secured a number of awards.
''Thinking Global-Acting Local'' 2009 ©
''Leave only Footprints'' 2012 ©
''Think Global-Think Green'' ©
''Save our Stars'' Programme - NKEF founder is a designated provider of this IDA education programme since 2015
Our Founder is a Expert on Environmental Education who has lectured nationally & internationally on Environmental & Planning Law, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Tourism, Eco-Innovation, Eco-systems & Biodiversity & the interconnectedness of Human Rights and Environmental Health.
Founded in 2009 with the addition of a social media platform in 2012 to enable greater awareness and broader reach on the issues of climate change, impacts of coastal erosion, the increasing pollution of our oceans and detrimental impact on marine life-it was of fundamental importance to our founder to increase awareness locally but also to affect a positive change in human behaviour.
A number of advocacy campaigns also have been established which secured a number of awards.
''Thinking Global-Acting Local'' 2009 ©
''Leave only Footprints'' 2012 ©
''Think Global-Think Green'' ©
''Save our Stars'' Programme - NKEF founder is a designated provider of this IDA education programme since 2015
Our Founder is a Expert on Environmental Education who has lectured nationally & internationally on Environmental & Planning Law, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Tourism, Eco-Innovation, Eco-systems & Biodiversity & the interconnectedness of Human Rights and Environmental Health.
Why did you do this work?
North Kerry Environmental Forum are passionate about the Environment -the impacts of human behaviour on these essential eco-system resources and the limited carrying capacity of our planet . We provide education on a voluntary basis for Sustainable Development to create shared value and build capacity of communities to enable environmental stewardship.
Our Oceans are under particular threat and consequently increasing vulnerability of our marine life with the scourge of disposed plastic in our seas.
Climate change and global warming has created impacts on :-
a) the rise in sea-level due to thermal expansionof ocean water;
b) melting glaciers and polar ice;
c)the changing frequency,intensity and spatial pattern of precipitation, coastal storms and other extreme weather events;
d) increasing stress on terrestrial and marine ecosystems and species (EEIA,2005 Beasley 2005)
Changes in ecosystems and the climate increase the liklihood nof unpredictable environmental disruptions, for example the collapse of previously reliable food sources, catastrophic floods or the disappearance of economical valuable species. This is likely to lead to sudden climate change and therefore to lead to a significant loss of biodiversity and socio-economic assets.
High rates of Coastal development and inappropriate tourism developments can risk the coastal areas becoming anonymous peri-urban landscapes devoid of any character-as a result these developments can have a huge impact on the common natural resources and the local socio-cultural fabric in the long-term. Coastal development and tourism intensification are leading to the over frequentation of natural sites both on land and at sea.
This is a particular concern in areas of high-value eco-systems where increasing volume of peoples activities impacts on fragile coastal systems. We developed a coastal education campaign ''Leave Only Footprints;'' to help mitigate this impact and also deliver awareness advocacy on ICZM.
Our Oceans are under particular threat and consequently increasing vulnerability of our marine life with the scourge of disposed plastic in our seas.
Climate change and global warming has created impacts on :-
a) the rise in sea-level due to thermal expansionof ocean water;
b) melting glaciers and polar ice;
c)the changing frequency,intensity and spatial pattern of precipitation, coastal storms and other extreme weather events;
d) increasing stress on terrestrial and marine ecosystems and species (EEIA,2005 Beasley 2005)
Changes in ecosystems and the climate increase the liklihood nof unpredictable environmental disruptions, for example the collapse of previously reliable food sources, catastrophic floods or the disappearance of economical valuable species. This is likely to lead to sudden climate change and therefore to lead to a significant loss of biodiversity and socio-economic assets.
High rates of Coastal development and inappropriate tourism developments can risk the coastal areas becoming anonymous peri-urban landscapes devoid of any character-as a result these developments can have a huge impact on the common natural resources and the local socio-cultural fabric in the long-term. Coastal development and tourism intensification are leading to the over frequentation of natural sites both on land and at sea.
This is a particular concern in areas of high-value eco-systems where increasing volume of peoples activities impacts on fragile coastal systems. We developed a coastal education campaign ''Leave Only Footprints;'' to help mitigate this impact and also deliver awareness advocacy on ICZM.
What was the impact or outcome of your project?
Creating awareness-Shared value-Built capacity for Sustainable Communities through Education, Awareness campaigns and Advocacy for Environmental stewardship.
Enabling positive change in Peoples Behaviour to protect our planet-'Our Common Future''
Our social media project was established in 2012 and we continue to facilitate education on light pollution & our 'Save Our Stars' programme.
Enabling positive change in Peoples Behaviour to protect our planet-'Our Common Future''
Our social media project was established in 2012 and we continue to facilitate education on light pollution & our 'Save Our Stars' programme.
Do you have any tips or advice for similar projects?
Sharing information on the Environment and SDG's ensures that each person can choose what aspect they feel passionate about and can help make a meaningful impact in their community.
Collaborate & Communicate for Collective Change.
Collaborate & Communicate for Collective Change.
Which Sustainable Development Goals does your work link to?
Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts*
Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable developmentve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
Location of Project
Local & National with #GlobalReach
Contact Person
Marianne Beasley
Email Address
Contact Number
0876394302
