Alexandra O'Fearraigh

Major Project - Crann Glás

The headlines scream warnings to us about climate change. Melting glaciers, rising sea levels and changes in weather patterns are just a few of the consequences that are already evident. As a mother of 3 young children I worry about their future. What will the world be like for them and their children? Deforestation is one of the leading causes of climate change. Ireland once had forests that covered around 80% of the land, but today it has the lowest rate in Europe - just 11%. The Irish government are already 60% behind in their plans to reforest Ireland, which could mean serious consequences for the future generations who will be left to look after the planet. How ironic for a country called the Emerald Isle! So I decided to develop a local reforestation centre. Something to inspire children and their parents to make changes, learn about climate and give them the tools to make a difference. My solution included a website and other educational resources. My aim was to inspire and educate children, and through them, their families as well. So my approach was fun, encouraging and uplifting, at a local and national level. I created characters to appeal to my target audience and used them as a tool to communicate in a language they would understand.