Ashbourne man"s role on climate change team

An Ashbourne man is one of 21 Irish people who will participate in a unique climate change initiative. Alan Fitzsimons was chosen by the British Council to participate in its 'Challenge Europe" programme . He is a consultant engineer, whose work involves providing clients with low energy solutions and implementing energy efficient designs on new buildings. He is part of a team of dynamic 18 to 35 year-olds who will work together to draw on knowledge from the worlds of science, business, academia and political thinking to develop and propose three clear, practical ideas for cutting Ireland and Northern Ireland"s carbon emmisions. Mr Fitzsimons and the other participants were selected by an independent panel, including representatives of the British Council"s partners on the project; Cultivate, Comhar, Business in the Community Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Sustainable Development Commission, following a nationwide search. Their passion for the area of climate change and their relevant talents will now be harnessed with the sole purpose of making a real difference in the fight against climate change. They will work collaboratively to research and develop their ideas, and then pitch them on 20th September in Belfast to a panel of experts from outside groups including businesses, entrepreneurs, politicians and philanthropists to transform the concepts into reality. The participants hail from a variety of backgrounds, including farmers, architects, academics, students, policy analysts, people working in the media and others who all share a common concern of the importance of reducing carbon emissions. They will work together with teams from 14 other European countries, forming a unique network of 275 'climate advocates" whose challenge is to to develop 40 tangible ideas that will change the way the world uses carbon forever. Challenge Europe has been fuelled by evidence that climate change is the issue that most concerns this generation. It aims to show that individuals currently outside the climate change arena can go beyond mere debate and make a positive and profound impact through direct action.