The world has warmed by 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels. Despite progress in climate action globally, we’re not on track to keep warming at or below 1.5C1, as agreed internationally in the Paris agreement of 2015. At 1.2°C, we’re already witnessing devastating weather events and migrations of climate refugees. Predictions of how a warming world would affect life on earth have proven to be, in many instances, conservative. Fossil fuels are still being extracted and burned, the minority world or “global north,” continues to extract natural resources from the global south in an example of intra-species parasitism, and we are in an extinction crisis, with biodiversity being bashed from all angles.

At UCC we are focused on continuous improvement for sustainability across our activities and became Plastic Free UCC’  from the beginning of 2023. UCC eliminated all single-use plastic in its operations throughout on campus dining, shops and vending machines.  We are thrilled to have reached the 1 million mark of saved disposable coffee cups as a result of this initiative. Your coffee doesn't have to cost the earth, bring your own cup!  

The Greenshoots team is officially looking for participants for the peer-to-peer element of the overall programme: Greenshoots Changemakers. This programme is designed for students who want to take environmental action but would appreciate some guidance and support.