An old Greek proverb states that “Society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.”
With the current hikes in fossil fuel prices more and more of us are talking about finding sustainable energy choices for our homes and businesses. Many challenges to this action exist .. Who does what and why? What benefit will it have for me? How much will it cost? Is it possible that some people will invest more and benefit less? Perhaps, but that does not have to stop us in our endeavours. We want to believe that our small society of Templemore can indeed be “great” as indicated in the proverb above; that altruism will start here with us.
The good news is that as the climate skeptics grow fewer and those taking action increase in number we are now truly understanding the sense and the science behind sustainability movements.
We know that even the smallest actions are steps in the right direction. The important thing is to be in movement and to not fall asleep at the wheel.
With this in mind, Templemore Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) undertook some first steps in the right direction back in mid 2019 with the application for a grant to carry out an energy audit on our town. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) granted this aid as well as a mentor to help us get started on our sustainable journey.
How much energy are we using in Templemore?
Where are we using this energy?
How much is it costing us?
How can we reduce this energy usage?
How can we reduce the cost?
How can we replace current energy solutions with more sustainable versions?
Is it possible for us to become a zero carbon town?
Is it possible to generate employment and stimulate the economy while making good environmental choices?
These are some of the questions that the energy audit looks to answer for our town. The Tipperary Energy Agency was chosen to work with the Templemore SEC to write and publish an Energy Master Plan. This EMP will be launched September 24th at 11a.m. in the Templemore Arms. All are welcome to attend.
The Templemore SEC currently consists of five members from the town. To borrow words from Ban Ki Moon, former Secretary-General with the United Nations we believe that :
“Sustainable development is the pathway to the future we want for all. It offers a framework to generate economic growth, achieve social justice, exercise environmental stewardship and strengthen governance.”
Here is the SEC group during one of many lockdown meetings on zoom; feeling the energy!
From top left to bottom :
Kevin Ludlow, Diarmuid Jones, Paul Walsh, Declan Glynn, Patricia Moloughney.
Eoghain O Horgan and Niall Pickering are from Tipperary Energy Agency.