Abbeyleix Climate Action Walk

A virtual walk around Abbeyleix with Dr. Niamh Shaw, exploring some aspects of climate change


Between September 2020 and March 2021 Dr Niamh Shaw was Science Communicator in Residence in Abbeyleix, Co Laois. Supported by the Heritage Office of Laois County Council and Creative Ireland Laois, Niamh worked with Abbeyleix Tidy Towns to find creative ways to engage the community with all aspects of climate change. This Climate Action walk was created to celebrate the end of this residency.

1

1. Abbeyleix Climate Action Project

In Episode 1 in the Abbeyleix Climate Action Walk Dr Niamh Shaw introduces the project, the issue of climate change and what viewers of the series will find, either online or on the ground in the town of Abbeyleix.

2

Atmosphere

Episode 2 in the Abbeyleix Climate Action Walk looks at our atmosphere and how it works.

Dr Niamh Shaw, Science Communicator in Residence with Abbeyleix Climate Action Project, considers our atmosphere, how it works and how we can keep it in balance.

3

The Carbon Cycle

Stage 3 in the Abbeyleix Climate Action Walk stops at the beautiful community gardens in the town to examine the carbon cycle.

4

The Water Cycle

Dr Niamh Shaw explores the water cycle and the importance of water in keeping our planet in balance.

5

Climate Anxiety

Episode 5 in the Abbeyleix Climate Action Walk features Science Communicator in Residence Dr Niamh Shaw, in conversation with Author and Psychoanalyst Sally Weintrobe, on the topic of climate anxiety, and why thinking about climate change makes us emotional.

Note: this is the full audio of a 25 minute long talk given by Sally, so probably more suitable for listening later, and for an older (age 12+) audience.

6

The effects of climate change

Episode 6 in the Abbeyleix Climate Action Walk features Dr Niamh Shaw, Science Communicator in Residence with Abbeyleix Climate Action Project, in conversation with Ricky Whelan of BirdWatch Ireland at Abbeyleix Bog, Abbeyleix, Co Laois. They talk about some of the effects of climate change on biodiversity and on birds in particular.

7

What can we do?

Episode 7 in the Abbeyleix Climate Action Walk looks at what is happening to our biodiversity in particular and how we can take action to help.

Dr Niamh Shaw, Science Communicator in Residence with Abbeyleix Climate Action Project, in conversation with Dr Fiona MacGowan at Abbeyleix Bog, Abbeyleix, Co Laois.

The Climate Action Walk was just one of the 0utputs of the Abbeyleix Climate Action Project. See below for more!

Abbeyleix Climate Action Project

Mark Clancy, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns; Robbie Quinn, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns; Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer; Niamh Shaw, Science Communicator in Residence; Mary White, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns; Ann Lawlor, Creative Ireland Laois and Dr Fiona MacGowan, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns at the Community Garden Abbeyleix for a start up meeting for the new Abbeyleix Climate Action Project in partnership with Abbeyleix Tidy Towns. The initiative is supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council and Midlands Science. Picture: Alf Harvey.

Acknowledgements

The Climate Action Project was supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns and Midlands Science.

The walk was created thanks to the support of Healthy Ireland, an initiative of the Government of Ireland with funding from the Healthy Ireland Fund and the Sláintecare Fund delivered by Pobal, administered by Laois County Council.

Concept

Dr. Niamh Shaw

Thanks to

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns Members

Animations

Paulina Nickstrom & Ina Albrecht

Contributors

Dr Fiona MacGowan, Sally Weintrobe & Ricky Whelan

Filming

Slaweck Bracki and Vimar Productions

The Climate Action Walk was just one of the 0utputs of the Abbeyleix Climate Action Project. See below for more!

Mark Clancy, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns; Robbie Quinn, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns; Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer; Niamh Shaw, Science Communicator in Residence; Mary White, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns; Ann Lawlor, Creative Ireland Laois and Dr Fiona MacGowan, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns at the Community Garden Abbeyleix for a start up meeting for the new Abbeyleix Climate Action Project in partnership with Abbeyleix Tidy Towns. The initiative is supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council and Midlands Science. Picture: Alf Harvey.