President Catherine Connolly Challenges 'Business as Usual' at DCU Climate Conference
The conference, themed ‘Holding the Line: Climate action in a time of crisis’, was held today (Tuesday 12 May) at Dublin City University’s St Patrick’s Campus. The event drew an audience of over 350 attendees, comprising senior policymakers, academics, journalists, and civic leaders.
A Holistic Mandate
In her address, President Connolly commended the Institute's pioneering role as Ireland’s first academic research centre dedicated to the social science and humanities aspects of climate change.
"This institute represents the holistic approach that is absolutely necessary if we are to address the existential threat posed by climate change. Your establishment in 2021 placed climate change at the heart of social sciences and the humanities. In doing so, you reminded us that neither technological solutions nor incremental change on their own will suffice in saving the planet. The positive news is that the solutions are there, and you have acknowledged that. Those solutions of themselves, however, will not be sufficient. There has to be a recognition that we cannot continue to do business as usual.”
The full text of President's Connolly's speech to the conference on the President of Ireland website.
Strengthening the Resolve
The event featured diverse perspectives on the crisis, including contributions from renowned ornithologist and author Seán Ronayne, and a performance curated by the Institute’s Dancer in Residence, Mia DiChiaro.
Welcoming President Connolly on her inaugural visit to the University in office, Prof Anne Sinnott, Deputy President of DCU, noted:
"We are delighted to welcome President Connolly to DCU on this, her first visit to the University as Uachtarán na hÉireann. Her attendance at the conference is a clear signal of her strong commitment to climate action and we greatly appreciate her support for the work of the DCU Institute for Climate and Society."
Resisting the 'Roll Back'
Dr Diarmuid Torney, Director of the DCU Centre for Climate and Society, framed the conference theme as both a diagnosis of current geopolitical stagnation and a rallying cry.
“We are honoured to welcome Uachtarán na hÉireann Catherine Connolly to Dublin City University for the first time in her Presidency today. Our conference theme—Holding the line—is a reflection of the state of the world and also a call to action.
“In recent times we have seen a worrying roll back of pledges and action on climate and biodiversity from governments and businesses around the world. Now more than ever it is important for everyone in positions of authority to recommit to action to address the global climate and biodiversity crisis.”
More information on the DCU Institute for Climate and Society can be found on their website.
