Hans Zomer: We need new skills to cope with this changing world's extreme weather
The home of Maureen Folan in Connemara which had its roof blown off from the winds during Storm Éowyn. Ms Folan, 74, has told of how she is facing homelessness. File photo: Eamonn Farrell / © RollingNews.ie
In the wake of Storm Éowyn, which left hundreds of thousands of Irish homes without power and water, Ireland has been forced to confront the fragility of its critical infrastructure.
But this crisis is not an isolated event; it is a stark reminder that the impacts of climate change are accelerating, and our ability to withstand them is increasingly uncertain.
Earlier this month, the Climate Change Advisory Council urged the government to take immediate action to prepare for future extreme weather events.
Moving beyond the headlines about the physical damage caused by extreme weather events, the council highlighted the need for action to protect and support people and future-proof our communities.
In other words, we need to think beyond the immediate concerns of electricity supply and flood damage, and develop our capacity to withstand shocks.
If we want to build a more resilient society, our mindsets need to shift. Technological solutions alone cannot address the root causes of the threats to our existence.
To truly respond to the environmental crises, we must focus on transforming our relationship with the land, the living world, and each other. If we are to weather the storms, literally and metaphorically, we need to build resilience in our homes and communities for an unpredictable future.
And this resilience is crucial. In countries like France, Sweden and the Netherlands, governments have started asking citizens to prepare for crises such as weather events and power cuts. France is planning to distribute survival manuals to households, urging the creation of emergency bags, or “Catakits”, containing essential items like food, water, medical supplies and basic survival gear.
While these suggestions are sensible and help provide short-term security, true resilience goes beyond ‘prepper’ stockpiling; it means developing practical skills such as growing food, repairing household items, managing common health issues, conserving resources and generating local energy.
Furthermore, our response to crises should do more than try to return to the way things were. Instead, our society must aim to emerge stronger from setbacks.
This requires a profound shift in values, behaviour and systems. It demands a re-think of what we mean by society and prosperity, and a new consensus of what is worth protecting in the event of a crisis.
Resilient living is about making our homes places of strength and security. It means creating a lifestyle that is not only more sustainable but also more rewarding, taking satisfaction from growing your own food, reducing waste, and living in harmony with nature. It is also about developing a mindset of preparedness, and the knowledge that we can rely on each other when it matters.
Secondly, we need to acknowledge that building resilience requires a collective effort. True adaptability is about building and maintaining co-operation and strong networks.
In a world of environmental and social disruptions, wellbeing is about supporting each other and ensuring no one is left behind during crises.
If we are to start a discussion about building Ireland’s resilience, a good place to start is to invest in “social capital”. We need to strengthen the trust and networks within communities so that people can support each other and adapt to changing circumstances.
This requires tangible investments in public spaces, community hubs and local initiatives that bring people together to share skills, resources and knowledge.
It also means funding educational programmes on climate adaptation, repair skills and sustainable living, and it means promoting intergenerational learning and local economic initiatives.
Social capital also includes strengthening local emergency preparedness, creating networks that ensure the most vulnerable are supported during crises.
True resilience is not just about infrastructure; it’s about fostering connected, empowered communities that can collectively navigate an uncertain future.
Finally, to build true resilience, the government must take a leading role in creating policies that go beyond short-term responses to crises.
This means investing in climate-adaptive infrastructure, such as decentralised renewable energy grids and sustainable public transport.
It also requires more financial support mechanisms, including grants for home retrofitting, subsidies for local food production, and incentives for businesses to adopt sustainable practices.
And it means moving beyond an obsessive focus on GDP growth to an economic model that measures and promotes wellbeing for all.
Fortunately, many individuals and organisations in Ireland are already demonstrating what a resilient future looks like.
The Cloughjordan Ecovillage in County Tipperary serves as a model sustainable community, integrating energy-efficient housing, community-owned renewable energy and local food production.
The Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) Network empowers over 200 local communities to develop energy master plans for their communities and implement local renewable energy projects.
Similarly, many NGOs like Global Action Plan provide training on themes related to mitigation, adaptation and resilience.
Not to mention the many allotments and community gardens all over Ireland that enable people to grow their own food, and share the proceeds with their communities.
Ultimately, Ireland’s resilience isn’t just about withstanding extreme weather; it’s about thriving in an uncertain world that demands constant adaptation.
The time to act is now, and by putting communities at the heart of our resilience strategy we can build a society that emerges from crises stronger, more united and more sustainable.
- Hans Zomer is CEO of GAP Ireland.
See globalactionplan.ie.
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