Show Notes
Join Daithí as he speaks to the inspiring Seán McCabe, the world's first Climate Justice Officer in a football club. Seán talks us through the work being done in Bohemians Football Club in Phibsborough, Dublin, where community and climate justice is being put right at the heart of things. With impacts of the climate crisis and transition being felt unequally across communities, the Climate CoOp at Bohemians has set out to address the issues faced by their own members, playing to their strength as a tight knit and inclusive community. Seán talks us through the different projects at Bohemians, such as their 'Library of Things', and supporting people serving prison time in Mountjoy to upskill in bike maintenance, as well as some of their aims for the future. His words of advice – dream big! Thanks very much to Sorcha O'Carolan Murphy for support with research, design and promotion.
Links:
1. The Spark https://www.thespark.coop/
2. Bohemians Football Club Website: https://bohemians.ie/home/
3. UN Sport for Climate Action: https://unfccc.int/climate-action/sectoral-engagement/sports-for-climate-action
4. Mary Robinson Climate Justice Foundation: https://www.mrfcj.org/
5. Think tank for Action on Social Change (TASC): https://www.tasc.ie/
6. Qatar World Cup Controversy: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/nov/19/qatar-working-conditions-world-cup-guardian-reporting
7. Friends of the Earth - 'Still Left out in the Cold' Report: https://www.friendsoftheearth.ie/warm-homes-for-all/resources
8. Scope 1, 2 and 3 Emissions explained: https://www.grantthornton.ie/insights/factsheets/sustainability-scope-1-2-and-3-emissions/
9. Seán and Leo from Bohs F.C. on The Book of Leaves Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-sport-clubs-can-take-climate-action-bohemian-football/id1460583049?i=1000638902017
More from The Climate Ambassador Podcast
This episode celebrates the 10th year of National Climate Action Week in Ireland. Cathy Baxter and Monica Mullins of An Taisce join Daithí to reflect on the origins of Climate Action Week and its shaky launch amidst Storm Ophelia, the growth of the festival to now hosting over 200 events nationwide, and some personal highlights from over the last 10 years. They also explore the supporters, champions and innovative ideas that have contributed to the success of the initiative, as well as their hopes for Climate Action Week into the future. Thanks very much to Emma Sheridan for support with research, design and promotion.
In this episode, Daithí is joined by Brendan Dunford and Clive Bright from Farming for Nature to speak about the role farmers can play in protecting and working alongside our natural ecosystems. Brendan and Clive explain how Farming for Nature are working to change the narrative around the relationship between farmers and nature and to create an inclusive space which gives farmers a voice and offers them the skills and resources to take action for the environment. As the Creative Director, having worked on many similar initiatives, Brendan has great insight into how best to incentivise and empower farmers to uphold their stewardship practices through providing them with the information, support, and funding whilst allowing them autonomy over their actions. Clive, an organic beef farmer and Farming for Nature Ambassador since 2019, is a great example of the programme’s success as he speaks on how farming for nature, by introducing regenerative farming methods or creating habitats through ponds, has created a feedback loop of increased biodiversity, productivity, and profit on his farm. Thanks very much to Emma Sheridan for support with research, design and promotion.
We are very happy to be joined in this episode by two Climate Ambassadors with An Taisce from 2025 – Brian and Craig (a.k.a. Soilboy). Through a shared passion for soil, they discuss how it is the bedrock of natural systems and of our food system and share their experiences of getting people engaged with this precious entity under our feet! Also explored are techniques for growing in confidence as a speaker, managing mental health, and people’s shifting attitudes towards farmers and ecologists. They also share their experience as participants in the Climate Ambassador Programme. Thanks very much to Emma Sheridan for support with research, design and promotion.
Daithí chats with Cormac McCarthy, Climate & Sustainability Manager at Waterways Ireland about how the organisation is streamlining climate and biodiversity matters throughout the vast network of waterways, greenways, and blueways they are tasked with managing and maintaining.
In this episode, Daithí is joined by Mick Kelly founder and CEO of Grow it Yourself a social enterprise which encourages individuals and community groups to think more about where their food comes from and supports them in their journey towards a more sustainable relationship with food.