Day 8 - Making a difference

It is very easy to get disheartened when talking about the environment. We are bombarded with news of countries failing to meet targets, failing to agree on strategies or pulling out of agreements entirely. Very rarely do we get to hear about the success stories – what normal people are doing to tackle environmental problems in their local area.

Our story today takes us to Ireland where the Gaelic Woodland Project are tackling their own unique problems with a people-first approach. At its zenith, woodland covered 80% of Ireland. However, years of mismanagement and deforestation has reduced this figure to just 1%. Even ow, this 1% is at risk from invasive plant species, particularly cherry laurel, stealing light and nutrients from native species. However, since 2022 the Gaelic Woodland Project has sought to change this. Hosting volunteer days in local woodlands, the Project pioneers non-mechanical methods of cherry laurel removal. The removed wood is not wasted, being offered to local communities as free firewood and biofuel. They also advocate legislation to protect Irish nature and existing forest areas, as well as education and raising awareness of the issues. Last year, the Project bought its first site, hoping to begin the long process of creating new forests across Ireland.

The charity first came to my attention after a video done by Irish woodworker and social media creator Eion Reardon who went viral on social media for his informative, entertaining and wholesome woodworking and carpentry videos, who went along to one of their volunteer days and helped remove cherry laurel, some of which he has since turned into a chair at his workshop. His is a fantastic channel and I strongly recommend you check it out, especially if you’re looking for something to relax to or start a new hobby.

This is just one example of countless similar charities across Ireland and the UK and, indeed, across the world that allows small groups of ordinary people like you and I to have a tangible impact on the world around us. The Bible tells us in Matthew 18:20 that ‘…where two or three gather as my followers, I am there among them’. Surely, if we have the power of God amongst us, as we go forward in charity, what can’t we achieve?

Harry Booton