“I’m pleased, more than anything else, I finally got up off the chair and did something” says participant of Carlow Climate Action course

Making a cup of team, getting around and how we heat our homes.

Just some of the everyday ways that form our carbon footprint, the greenhouse gases that are generated by our actions.

Carlow County Council has been running a six-week course on climate change for the over sixties age group getting them to look at realistic ways they can help combat climate change.

Participants been gathering at An Gairdín Beo in Carlow town and between them have so far made the following changes;

• Marion is due to travel to London but has opted to not fly, instead she’ll bus it from Carlow to Dublin, take a ferry to Holyhead then a train onto London.
• Pat upgraded his heating system and installed temperature controls on radiators, is investigating a ground-mounted solar system as his roof won’t support one.
• Michael is reducing car usage, walking to destinations under 5K & going to his local shop rather than the further away supermarket.
• Liam installed solar panels, reduced thermostats by 1degree in his house, had window repairs done & reduced the amount of beef and lamb he eats.
• Mary is squeezing her own orange juice rather than buying it which also reduces her plastic bottle consumption.
• Maura installed solar panels, is using 40% less energy than before.
• Helen reduced the temperature in his house by 1 degree and is getting two new external doors fitted to improve insulation.
• Another Marion did a deep retrofit upgrading windows and heating, also insulating resulting in a warmer house. She uses public transport and eats a mostly plant-based diet.

KCLR News’ Edwina Grace stopped by to find out more – hear from some of those involved here;