2021
UCC unveils sustainability mural as COP26 commences
Cork has another addition to its growing collection of street art, as University College Cork (UCC) unveils a mural on its campus as the global climate change summit, COP26, gets underway.
The Sustainable Communities mural by Cork-based artist Kevin O’Brien represents a positive vision of a sustainable city.
"As we deal with the monumental challenges caused by climate change, this mural aims to encourage us all to imagine our best future and build towards it. Sustainable solutions that protect our limited resources are our best way to a prosperous future" commented Kevin O'Brien.
The mural depicts Cork against an imagined future version of itself. Signs beside the mural ask common questions around climate change such as:
- Come on, what can Cork city really do? This city is too small to have any impact on climate change.
- I’m just one person, it’s too late, I can’t make a difference.
- Will Ireland see a change to its biodiversity in the years to come?
- I'm from a village in the countryside. How do I help my community
These questions and the mural seek to encourage people to learn more about building sustainable communities at a dedicated website.
Before setting out for COP26, I spoke to @thisweekrte about how cities can lead the transition to a net zero & sustainable future, with benefits for health, liveability & quality of life
— Dr Marguerite Nyhan (@margueritenyhan) October 31, 2021
Lessons from Copenhagen & Paris' Champs-Élysées area#UCCatCOP26https://t.co/twycj1D91J
“It is important that we point to solutions and work with communities in the urgent challenge that faces us all” commented Professor John O’Halloran, President of UCC. “This mural seeks to inspire thinking, encourage conversations and provoke action to create communities that work with our environment in securing a sustainable future.”
Researchers and students from University College Cork are attending the COP26 global summit in Glasgow. UCC is the only Irish university with official observer status at the conference, which is seen as a crucial meeting to limit the levels of global warming and climate change.