Mary Robinson recommends 'connection & conversation' to renew climate hope

Fiona Smith
5 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 4 hours ago

NCI enjoyed a wonderful two days of insights and discussion at the Courage in Crisis Mary Robinson Climate and Nature Conference in the former president's hometown of Ballina, Co Mayo on May 25 and 26th, 2025.

With a focus on how to address the interlinked crises of biodiversity loss and climate change with courage and hope, the former president and global justice activist delivered an inspiring 'intergenerational discussion' with Omnia El Omrani, MD, Global Climate and Health Alliance, covering her work with The Elders Foundation and climate collective Project Dandelion.

Mrs Robinson pointed out how there is a direct link between our health and this polycrisis and recommended fostering a sense of community though climate cafes and intersectional multi-discipinary events, the kind that encourage conversation and connection to tackle the inevitable anxiety facing those of us working and living in this difficult space, empowering us to move on with a renewed sense of vigour and collective hope.

This is also a key theme of Project Dandelion whose Laura Cook was back with us (having joined us at our recent screening of the Mrs Robinson documentary) to launch their new intiative Interwoven/Fite Fuaite in Ireland. More on this to come!

Many thanks to The Mary Robinson Centre for hosting, Bernadette Connolly of The Environmental Forum for chairing and huge gratitude to all who joined our panel discussion on 'Closing the Funding Gap on Nature Restoration' in the Climate Hub venue, officially opened by Mrs Robinson herself, on Tuesday May, 27th. The event focussed on a growing number of initiatives in various sectors addressing the nature and climate polycrisis via the Natural Capital approach to value nature and monitor success in restoring valuable ecosystems over time.

The NCI panel included:

Mary Mulvey, Founder, Ecotourism Ireland, Director, Tourism Ireland
Dr Jimmy O'Keeffe, Dublin City University, FARM-NC
Mark Kearney, Assistant Agricultural Inspector, NCI Funder, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine,
Dr Maria Fitzpatrick, Consulting With Nature, Business For Biodiversity Ireland
NCI Director Martina von Richter, Sustainability Consultant, Founder, Sustainable Values;

NCI Executive Coordinator Deirdre Lane was on hand snapping photos (see our fantastic gallery below, while working to spread the word on natural capital throughout the event. There was also an opening address from Minister Darragh Calleary TD, Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

Great to connect with so many amazing participants including ploicy analyst and broadcaster Anya Murray, Bernadette Shanahan, The Giving Circle of Ireland, conference co-chairs Sinead Sheehan, Caitriona Carlin and Alma Clavin of the University of Galway Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, Emma Donoghue of the Ballina Centre, and Fiona Roche, Emotional First Responder from Galway Uni, Ecologic Sustainability Consultant Michele Hallahan; Laura Dixon, Climate Action Officer, Mayo County Council; Prof Navjot Bhullar, and Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, Dublin City University; Siobhán Keogh and Amy Bell, Northern Ireland Environment Link, Denise McCullagh and Prof Hannah Daly, University College Cork; Suzie Cahn, Project Director, Shifting Tides; Alex McMaster, Marine Ecologist. Also from the field trip to Oweninny Wind Farm, Dr Elaine McGoff of An Taisce, Mark McCorry of BnM and Sean McCabe, Head of Climate Justice and Sustainability at Bohemians FC. Thanks also Mary Hoy, Rennie Buenting and Thomas Morelli of the Breaking Cover Collective, Tornaido and the fabulous Talamh Beo Women and 'The Wild Geeze' performers for the ‘Oiche, Cultúr agus Craic’ performance.