Campaign Launch - Act Local for Faster and Fairer Climate Action

Learn about our new Act Local campaign and how to get involved!

Did you know that the “Think Global, Act Local” slogan was popularised by the founder of Friends of the Earth over 50 years ago? It feels more relevant today than ever…

This slogan very much informs a brand new campaign that we’re about to launch. We’ve called it the Act Local campaign. And we’re launching it with a special webinar on Tuesday 17th October, starting at 7.30pm.

Act Local is a new Friends of the Earth campaign that gives you and your community the tools to make big change - while working in your own local area! We want to help local activists be visible and vocal champions of bold climate action by decision makers. 

“Think Global, Act Local” feels especially relevant to the Irish climate landscape we find ourselves in right now.  After years of campaigning, the Oireachtas and the Government have adopted legally binding limits on climate pollution. Now we need action at a local level, all over Ireland, to make sure those limits are respected. Or as UN scientists put it recently we need “deep, rapid and sustained greenhouse gas emissions reductions in all sectors”.

Many of the things we need to do require changes at the local level, in your community, townland, town or suburb. We know that these changes are essential and will make for a safer, cleaner and healthier future. But some of them will mean short-term inconvenience or disruption. 

So we need to stand up and speak out for the benefits of climate action - pushing decision makers to make the right choices at both local and national levels.

Everyone has a part to play. No one is too big or small, too old or young to make a difference.  In a world where the urgency of climate change and biodiversity loss is felt more than ever, Act Local is your gateway to creating real change, starting where you live. 

The Act Local campaign will include two critical strands to the Act Local campaign; “Space for Nature” and “Walkable, Liveable Communities” -

• Space for Nature will let you reconnect with the natural world as we champion the creation and preservation of green spaces in your locality. Whether it's transforming vacant space into vibrant urban gardens or protecting local parks from development, we're giving you the tools to make your community a sanctuary for biodiversity.
• Walkable, Liveable Communities invites you to imagine a neighbourhood where walking, cycling, and public transport are not just alternatives but preferred modes of getting around. The Act Local campaign will empower you to advocate for cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable communities. Together, we'll work to redesign our streets and infrastructure to prioritise people over cars.

By getting involved in Act Local you can become the driving force behind tangible change. We’ll provide you with the knowledge, resources, and support to take action and be a local hero for our planet.Let's unite, inspire, and create communities where nature thrives, and everyone can enjoy a healthier, happier, more sustainable way of life. Together, we can make our local areas the heartbeat of positive environmental change.