Welcome to Transition Kerry
Transition Kerry is part of a local, national & international initiative. It is making an effort to get local communities to think about making themselves more resilient, in response to three major things that are happening in our world:
CLIMATE CHANGE, PEAK OIL & ECONOMIC CHANGE
It is about creating awareness and networks to ensure that local sustainability is at the core of all actions & decisions made at local, national & international levels.
Our objective is to accelerate change through inspiring, encouraging, supporting, networking and training our communities as they consider and then implement their vision for the future they want to live in.
Like the rest of Ireland. Kerry, Tralee its other towns villages and communities are dependent on sources outside of the country for most of our food, fuel, energy, a lot of our jobs, and most of our “stuff”. We need to become a more self-reliant and sustainable community. The toughest challenges facing Tralee, our communities and humanity itself at the start of this 21st century are Climate Change, Peak Oil, food shortages and Economic decline. Climate Change is well documented while true and effective changes are slow manifesting. Peak Oil, however, remains under the radar for most people.
Peak Oil, which is heralding the era of ever declining fossil fuel availability, will challenge even further or perhaps bring an end to the economic and social stability that is essential if we are to mitigate the threats posed by Climate Change. The transition initiatives represent the most promising way of engaging people and communities to take the far-reaching actions that are required to mitigate the effects of Peak Oil and Climate Change. These re-localisation efforts will result in a life that is more fulfilling, more socially connected and more equitable.
News
Up in SMOKE
UP IN SMOKE! ENERGY COSTS BURNING €470 MILLION A YEAR HOLE IN THE KERRY ECONOMY
A recent study commissioned by Transition Kerry indicates that energy costs for business and private residential sectors may be as much as €470 million annually in Kerry, and this money is largely being lost to the local economy. The study, part-funded by NEKD and Kerry County Council, suggests that over-dependence on fossil fuels for heating and transport, and high levels of expenditure and increasing costs relating to energy in the county are placing considerable strain on the local economy and make Co. Kerry less competitive than other regions. Heating oil costs have more than doubled since 2008, and the incidence of fuel poverty among families around the county is on the increase.
The most critical issue is the fact that most fuels used in Kerry are imported, and as a result, the bulk of this €470 million is being siphoned out of the county, and removed from the local economy to detriment of local business and employment prospects. Transition Kerry’s Energy Committee Chairman Ciaran Nugent said ‘Energy costs are sucking the lifeblood out of our local economy, and reducing competitiveness and opportunities for sustainable development and employment in Co. Kerry. We need to fight this. Both businesses and ordinary citizens need to work together to reduce the amount of energy they use, and to ensure that a greater proportion of the money currently being spent on energy is retained in the local economy to support local employment.
To highlight the issues involved and towards developing solutions at local level, Transition Kerry are inviting all interested persons and organisations to a public information Seminar, in association with Tralee Chamber Alliance on Wednesday, March 27th, at the Carlton Hotel, beginning at 8pm. Everybody will be welcome to discuss topics such as:
- The impact of energy costs on business and competitiveness in Kerry
- Energy impacts on the local economy in Kerry
- Rising energy costs as a barrier to economic recovery in Kerry
- Collaborative energy management solutions for business and residential sectors
- Innovation in Energy Management
- How Tralee is leading the pack What can individual businesses and householders do?
Further Queries contact Ciaran Nugent – 083 431 2707
Coping Skills For Challenging Times
‘Coping Skills For Challenging Times – The Great Conversation’
Transition Kerry Host ‘World Café’ Event March 2nd at I.T.T.
Transition Kerry will Host a ‘World Café’ Event at The Institute of Technology, Tralee, from 9.30am to 3.45pm on Saturday March 2nd. Entrance is €5, payable on the day. This event is open to all people in the Community and aims to discuss and examine how to build up Personal and Community resilience to Stress and Change.
Catherine Mcgeachy (biog below) is our Main Speaker, we will invite people to participate in a ‘World Café’ discussion event and there will be practical guidelines for Mindful living. A healthy Wholefood lunch will be available for a small donation.
Our aim is for a Fun, Relaxing and Participative day. World Café is a concept of ‘Conversational Leadership’ whereby Communities converse and explore possibilities for development (www.theworldcafe.com)
Transition Kerry is part of the Worldwide Transition Movement aiming to develop personal and environmental Resilience, working in areas such as Inner/Personal Transition, Renewable Power Generation, Transport, Food Security, Local Economics, Supporting Local Businesses & Suppliers(www.transitionkerry.org)
Our Main Speaker, Catherine Mcgeachy is a Personal Growth Consultant and uses scientific, medical and psychological research to assist people and organisations to achieve their maximum potential. She is an Academic (ex U.L. Lecturer), Journalist and Author of ‘Spiritual Intelligence in the Workplace’. Catherine is from Glasgow and lives in Co. Limerick. www.catherinemcgeachy.net
Book your place here as limited places available!
For further information please phone Linda Flanagan 086.4009916
or email Transition Kerry This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Smile Meeting
You are invited to attend the Munster SMILE Resource Exchange Event taking place on Tuesday 20 November 2012, 8.45am to 1pm followed by lunch, at Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel Adare.
SMILE Resource Exchange is a free service for businesses that encourages the exchanging of resources between its members in order to save money, reduce waste going to landfill and to develop new business opportunities. SMILE stands for Saving Money through Industry Links and Exchanges and is built on the premise that 'one businesses’ waste could be another businesses’ raw material'. Potential exchanges are identified through networking events, an online exchange facility and a support team to assist throughout.
Attendance at the event is free and booking is essential. To register for the event, please log on to the exchange website www.smileexchange.ie
Harves Festival
The Food Security Group of Transition Kerry are organising a Harvest Fair on Saturday 29th September 2012, in conjunction with Tralee Farmers Market, in the Brandon Car Park, Tralee, 11-4pm.
Our main aim on the day is to highlight the importance of local food production and sustainablity in Kerry. There are lots of people growing food and involved in food and sustainability projects around Tralee and Kerry and by bringing them together, we will be highlighting their work and its importance to the community.
We would like to invite you to come along and and take this opportunity to display or promote your garden produce/products/community group and its activities. We are providing limited space in all weather marquees for community groups or individuals. There will be no charge for the stall space but donations would be appreciated to help us with the cost of the day! These stalls are not for trading – they are to showcase your produce/product. However swapping and bartering will be facilitated and encouraged!
Please click on http://transitionkerryharvestfestival.eventbrite.ie/ to book your free stall!
Please publicise this event in your community to ensure its full success, and contact Linda at 086 4009916 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you need more information and advertising material.
Don’t forget to register your stall if you are interested in participating in Transition Kerry’s celebration of community and local food.
sinne le meas
Niamh Ní Dhúill and Thomas O’ Connor
on behalf of Transition Kerry Food Secuirty Group
This event supported by:
North and East Kerry Development, Tralee Town Council and Kerry County Council.
