Characteristics of a Future City – Wilderness, Farms & Smart | Brendan “Speedie” Smith | TEDxGalway

now if you look at our planet our cities

now if you look at our planet our cities are becoming more populated with places

are becoming more populated with places

are becoming more populated with places like Tokyo reaching a population of 14

like Tokyo reaching a population of 14

like Tokyo reaching a population of 14 millions in the next few years will it

millions in the next few years will it

millions in the next few years will it be the case that so many of our urban

be the case that so many of our urban

be the case that so many of our urban neighborhoods particularly the poor and

neighborhoods particularly the poor and

neighborhoods particularly the poor and derelict ones will they be transformed

derelict ones will they be transformed

derelict ones will they be transformed into wilderness where of the law of the

into wilderness where of the law of the

into wilderness where of the law of the jungle prevails you know what I really

jungle prevails you know what I really

jungle prevails you know what I really hope so I have in my hand the leaves of

hope so I have in my hand the leaves of

hope so I have in my hand the leaves of three trees that have been here these

three trees that have been here these

three trees that have been here these three types since the end of the Ice Age

three types since the end of the Ice Age

three types since the end of the Ice Age now if I had showed these tree leaves

now if I had showed these tree leaves

now if I had showed these tree leaves from trees like these to my parents or

from trees like these to my parents or

from trees like these to my parents or their parents they could look at these

their parents they could look at these

their parents they could look at these leaves and they would identify what tree

leaves and they would identify what tree

leaves and they would identify what tree it was they could tell you about the

it was they could tell you about the

it was they could tell you about the wildlife that was associated and the

wildlife that was associated and the

wildlife that was associated and the fruits that were on them and the stories

fruits that were on them and the stories

fruits that were on them and the stories the myths behind each of them they would

the myths behind each of them they would

the myths behind each of them they would look at the hazel tree and the leaf and

look at the hazel tree and the leaf and

look at the hazel tree and the leaf and tell you of its associations with our

tell you of its associations with our

tell you of its associations with our greatest Celtic Warrior young Makua they

greatest Celtic Warrior young Makua they

greatest Celtic Warrior young Makua they could tell you about the beautiful hazel

could tell you about the beautiful hazel

could tell you about the beautiful hazel fruits that they collected in the autumn

fruits that they collected in the autumn

fruits that they collected in the autumn they would look at the Rowan tree and

they would look at the Rowan tree and

they would look at the Rowan tree and tell you about its associations with st.

tell you about its associations with st.

tell you about its associations with st. Brigid and with the power of female

Brigid and with the power of female

Brigid and with the power of female magic they would look at the Hawthorn

magic they would look at the Hawthorn

magic they would look at the Hawthorn tree and they would look at his

tree and they would look at his

tree and they would look at his associations with the fairies and they

associations with the fairies and they

associations with the fairies and they could take me out on an evening and look

could take me out on an evening and look

could take me out on an evening and look up at the sky and they could tell me

up at the sky and they could tell me

up at the sky and they could tell me what the weather is going to be tomorrow

what the weather is going to be tomorrow

what the weather is going to be tomorrow now could we do that today many of us I

now could we do that today many of us I

now could we do that today many of us I don’t think so

don’t think so

don’t think so we have lost this serious connect with

we have lost this serious connect with

we have lost this serious connect with nature and for 99 percent of our time on

nature and for 99 percent of our time on

nature and for 99 percent of our time on this planet we were part of nature we’re

this planet we were part of nature we’re

this planet we were part of nature we’re not above it we’re part of it but we

not above it we’re part of it but we

not above it we’re part of it but we have forgotten that and what we need to

have forgotten that and what we need to

have forgotten that and what we need to do is bring the jungle back where we

do is bring the jungle back where we

do is bring the jungle back where we live and for many of us of course this

live and for many of us of course this

live and for many of us of course this is the city’s so it’s the jungle that we

is the city’s so it’s the jungle that we

is the city’s so it’s the jungle that we need to come back because the wilderness

need to come back because the wilderness

need to come back because the wilderness is in our genes two million years ago we

is in our genes two million years ago we

is in our genes two million years ago we lived in trees 200,000 years ago our

lived in trees 200,000 years ago our

lived in trees 200,000 years ago our species Homo sapiens came on the planet

species Homo sapiens came on the planet

species Homo sapiens came on the planet and we lived in relatively harmony with

and we lived in relatively harmony with

and we lived in relatively harmony with the birds and the bees

the birds and the bees

the birds and the bees and all the rest of it but something

and all the rest of it but something

and all the rest of it but something went seriously wrong with our connection

went seriously wrong with our connection

went seriously wrong with our connection with nature 10,000 years ago and you

with nature 10,000 years ago and you

with nature 10,000 years ago and you know what it was

know what it was

know what it was we became civilized big problem for the

we became civilized big problem for the

we became civilized big problem for the rest of the planet we were able to

rest of the planet we were able to

rest of the planet we were able to settle down and the word civilization or

settle down and the word civilization or

settle down and the word civilization or say civil comes from the Latin word

say civil comes from the Latin word

say civil comes from the Latin word Civitas for cities so we started to live

Civitas for cities so we started to live

Civitas for cities so we started to live in large urban settlements all made

in large urban settlements all made

in large urban settlements all made possible by the invention of farming

possible by the invention of farming

possible by the invention of farming where we domesticated the plant and the

where we domesticated the plant and the

where we domesticated the plant and the animal so we had time on her hands we

animal so we had time on her hands we

animal so we had time on her hands we had comfort on our hands and we could

had comfort on our hands and we could

had comfort on our hands and we could start inventing things like comedy and

start inventing things like comedy and

start inventing things like comedy and sport and drama and nerds and making so

sport and drama and nerds and making so

sport and drama and nerds and making so much more sounds great and it was but

much more sounds great and it was but

much more sounds great and it was but there is a downside associated with

there is a downside associated with

there is a downside associated with civilization of urbanization what do we

civilization of urbanization what do we

civilization of urbanization what do we do out of that there was bad consumerism

do out of that there was bad consumerism

do out of that there was bad consumerism mining extraction and population growth

mining extraction and population growth

mining extraction and population growth so we look at how much population has

so we look at how much population has

so we look at how much population has increased say in the last 200 years

increased say in the last 200 years

increased say in the last 200 years thanks to technology and thanks to

thanks to technology and thanks to

thanks to technology and thanks to monoculture farming 1,800 we had a

monoculture farming 1,800 we had a

monoculture farming 1,800 we had a population of about 1 billion today it’s

population of about 1 billion today it’s

population of about 1 billion today it’s 7.5 billion 1,800 3 percent of our

7.5 billion 1,800 3 percent of our

7.5 billion 1,800 3 percent of our population lived in cities now it’s 54

population lived in cities now it’s 54

population lived in cities now it’s 54 percent and rising and how do we support

percent and rising and how do we support

percent and rising and how do we support urban growth and how do we support

urban growth and how do we support

urban growth and how do we support population growth you know what we did

population growth you know what we did

population growth you know what we did we attacked the rest of the planet for

we attacked the rest of the planet for

we attacked the rest of the planet for this to happen we spread out we

this to happen we spread out we

this to happen we spread out we destroyed habitats we drained the

destroyed habitats we drained the

destroyed habitats we drained the wetlands we raised the hills knocked

wetlands we raised the hills knocked

wetlands we raised the hills knocked them down we drained so much of those

them down we drained so much of those

them down we drained so much of those wetlands and deforestation happened as

wetlands and deforestation happened as

wetlands and deforestation happened as well and where the habitats disappeared

well and where the habitats disappeared

well and where the habitats disappeared the wildlife disappeared and how was

the wildlife disappeared and how was

the wildlife disappeared and how was that made possible it was because of our

that made possible it was because of our

that made possible it was because of our technology I love technologies but when

technology I love technologies but when

technology I love technologies but when I look at plastics and herbicides and

I look at plastics and herbicides and

I look at plastics and herbicides and pesticides and fossil fuels and and

pesticides and fossil fuels and and

pesticides and fossil fuels and and nuclear fuels and biofuels and smart

nuclear fuels and biofuels and smart

nuclear fuels and biofuels and smart devices they have all scoured the planet

devices they have all scoured the planet

devices they have all scoured the planet so we have to undo the harm that we’re

so we have to undo the harm that we’re

so we have to undo the harm that we’re doing because we’re part of nature how

doing because we’re part of nature how

doing because we’re part of nature how do we do it we have to start for the

do we do it we have to start for the

do we do it we have to start for the first time looking at technology not

first time looking at technology not

first time looking at technology not just to give

just to give

just to give so-called better policy of life but to

so-called better policy of life but to

so-called better policy of life but to help the planet we should be looking at

help the planet we should be looking at

help the planet we should be looking at renewable energies we should be looking

renewable energies we should be looking

renewable energies we should be looking and been helped by data analytics and

and been helped by data analytics and

and been helped by data analytics and satellite photography we can see the

satellite photography we can see the

satellite photography we can see the changes then in the environment over a

changes then in the environment over a

changes then in the environment over a hundred years and longer and dandy the

hundred years and longer and dandy the

hundred years and longer and dandy the melting IceCaps and heating of the

melting IceCaps and heating of the

melting IceCaps and heating of the planet all of those things technology

planet all of those things technology

planet all of those things technology can tell us what is actually happening

can tell us what is actually happening

can tell us what is actually happening itself and that’s what we need to do and

itself and that’s what we need to do and

itself and that’s what we need to do and we need to talk to the children if you

we need to talk to the children if you

we need to talk to the children if you go into any classroom an apartment

go into any classroom an apartment

go into any classroom an apartment screen you talk to it an eight or

screen you talk to it an eight or

screen you talk to it an eight or nine-year-old child and you ask them

nine-year-old child and you ask them

nine-year-old child and you ask them about trees or she about trees and they

about trees or she about trees and they

about trees or she about trees and they will tell you trees keep us alive to

will tell you trees keep us alive to

will tell you trees keep us alive to give us the oxygen they take away the

give us the oxygen they take away the

give us the oxygen they take away the bad gases that are causing climate

bad gases that are causing climate

bad gases that are causing climate change because of the the global warming

change because of the the global warming

change because of the the global warming effect and we should also look back in

effect and we should also look back in

effect and we should also look back in time to the ancient ones i am so proud

time to the ancient ones i am so proud

time to the ancient ones i am so proud of the fact that the irish remained

of the fact that the irish remained

of the fact that the irish remained uncivilized for so long we fought

uncivilized for so long we fought

uncivilized for so long we fought against civilization particularly in the

against civilization particularly in the

against civilization particularly in the last 1200 years with the invaders and

last 1200 years with the invaders and

last 1200 years with the invaders and the colonists and so on so people look

the colonists and so on so people look

the colonists and so on so people look down this but we had a harmony the

down this but we had a harmony the

down this but we had a harmony the people that lived in this island with

people that lived in this island with

people that lived in this island with nature we didn’t if you look at the

nature we didn’t if you look at the

nature we didn’t if you look at the irish word to it it just doesn’t mean

irish word to it it just doesn’t mean

irish word to it it just doesn’t mean people it also in a geographical area in

people it also in a geographical area in

people it also in a geographical area in a region it also means that the land are

a region it also means that the land are

a region it also means that the land are Tehran in the under Breton law if a tree

Tehran in the under Breton law if a tree

Tehran in the under Breton law if a tree was cut down it would be honored

was cut down it would be honored

was cut down it would be honored something would have to be paid back in

something would have to be paid back in

something would have to be paid back in compensation if you looked at where the

compensation if you looked at where the

compensation if you looked at where the places of worship where for the Druids

places of worship where for the Druids

places of worship where for the Druids for the pagan Celts and for the early

for the pagan Celts and for the early

for the pagan Celts and for the early Christian Kells it wasn’t these big

Christian Kells it wasn’t these big

Christian Kells it wasn’t these big monstrosity the buildings gatito’s or

monstrosity the buildings gatito’s or

monstrosity the buildings gatito’s or whatever we had it out in the forest in

whatever we had it out in the forest in

whatever we had it out in the forest in the oak grove and when the invaders came

the oak grove and when the invaders came

the oak grove and when the invaders came and they destroyed her connection or

and they destroyed her connection or

and they destroyed her connection or started to protest a process back in in

started to protest a process back in in

started to protest a process back in in the 17th century when the forest went

the 17th century when the forest went

the 17th century when the forest went the wildlife went they hated the world

the wildlife went they hated the world

the wildlife went they hated the world for instance and the wolf was hunted to

for instance and the wolf was hunted to

for instance and the wolf was hunted to extinction and science is telling us now

extinction and science is telling us now

extinction and science is telling us now so many of the ancient ways in the

so many of the ancient ways in the

so many of the ancient ways in the custom was grounded in science and the

custom was grounded in science and the

custom was grounded in science and the obvious one is to tree the tree of life

obvious one is to tree the tree of life

obvious one is to tree the tree of life to tree of knowledge and all of that

to tree of knowledge and all of that

to tree of knowledge and all of that flows for it so we have to look at the

flows for it so we have to look at the

flows for it so we have to look at the past and learn from it now it is

past and learn from it now it is

past and learn from it now it is important to realize I am NOT against

important to realize I am NOT against

important to realize I am NOT against cities I love the vibrancy and the

cities I love the vibrancy and the

cities I love the vibrancy and the vitality and the creativity and edify

vitality and the creativity and edify

vitality and the creativity and edify the diversity of cities I was born in a

the diversity of cities I was born in a

the diversity of cities I was born in a city I was born in in Dublin

city I was born in in Dublin

city I was born in in Dublin it was a tough place Dublin at the time

it was a tough place Dublin at the time

it was a tough place Dublin at the time there was huge unemployment there was

there was huge unemployment there was

there was huge unemployment there was smog in the air there was a lot of

smog in the air there was a lot of

smog in the air there was a lot of poverty and I shouldn’t glamorize or I

poverty and I shouldn’t glamorize or I

poverty and I shouldn’t glamorize or I don’t want to glamorize the past and I

don’t want to glamorize the past and I

don’t want to glamorize the past and I don’t want to glamorize poverty but in

don’t want to glamorize poverty but in

don’t want to glamorize poverty but in spite of those bad things that were

spite of those bad things that were

spite of those bad things that were there economically and otherwise there

there economically and otherwise there

there economically and otherwise there was a spirit there was a sense of

was a spirit there was a sense of

was a spirit there was a sense of community the street was our playground

community the street was our playground

community the street was our playground the neighbours were our family we played

the neighbours were our family we played

the neighbours were our family we played along the streets and the waterways we

along the streets and the waterways we

along the streets and the waterways we walk to school and in those days walking

walk to school and in those days walking

walk to school and in those days walking and cycling and public transfer which is

and cycling and public transfer which is

and cycling and public transfer which is part of life and I was one of the first

part of life and I was one of the first

part of life and I was one of the first generation in the cities are from her

generation in the cities are from her

generation in the cities are from her family that we’re living in the city so

family that we’re living in the city so

family that we’re living in the city so we spent two summers going to the farm

we spent two summers going to the farm

we spent two summers going to the farm is going to the bog working with the

is going to the bog working with the

is going to the bog working with the country cousins the aunts and the uncles

country cousins the aunts and the uncles

country cousins the aunts and the uncles and the groundcars so we had still a

and the groundcars so we had still a

and the groundcars so we had still a connection with nature but have we got

connection with nature but have we got

connection with nature but have we got that today and what are we blaming am i

that today and what are we blaming am i

that today and what are we blaming am i blaming technology no it’s how you use

blaming technology no it’s how you use

blaming technology no it’s how you use it technology is fantastic

it technology is fantastic

it technology is fantastic it has liberated us from drudgery it

it has liberated us from drudgery it

it has liberated us from drudgery it back-breaking work in the mines and the

back-breaking work in the mines and the

back-breaking work in the mines and the factories and the farms is gone and

factories and the farms is gone and

factories and the farms is gone and particularly in the kitchen it’s

particularly in the kitchen it’s

particularly in the kitchen it’s liberated and this women that still

liberated and this women that still

liberated and this women that still unfortunately allows her to work in the

unfortunately allows her to work in the

unfortunately allows her to work in the kitchen the washing machines has made a

kitchen the washing machines has made a

kitchen the washing machines has made a huge difference I’m working in the area

huge difference I’m working in the area

huge difference I’m working in the area of the internet the Internet is one of

of the internet the Internet is one of

of the internet the Internet is one of the fantastic developments of all time

the fantastic developments of all time

the fantastic developments of all time use you don’t need to do research

use you don’t need to do research

use you don’t need to do research anymore you do a Google I don’t have to

anymore you do a Google I don’t have to

anymore you do a Google I don’t have to travel to moon to see what the moon is

travel to moon to see what the moon is

travel to moon to see what the moon is like I don’t have to go into a volcano

like I don’t have to go into a volcano

like I don’t have to go into a volcano to see what the inside of a volcano is

to see what the inside of a volcano is

to see what the inside of a volcano is like or go down to the bottom of the

like or go down to the bottom of the

like or go down to the bottom of the ocean I can put on my virtual reality

ocean I can put on my virtual reality

ocean I can put on my virtual reality glasses and get that and look what’s

glasses and get that and look what’s

glasses and get that and look what’s coming around the corner artificial

coming around the corner artificial

coming around the corner artificial intelligence Internet of Things robotics

intelligence Internet of Things robotics

intelligence Internet of Things robotics soon we’d have driverless cars sooner

soon we’d have driverless cars sooner

soon we’d have driverless cars sooner can go into a shop take what I wanted

can go into a shop take what I wanted

can go into a shop take what I wanted there’s no checkers because it would

there’s no checkers because it would

there’s no checkers because it would automatically sensors will pick it up

automatically sensors will pick it up

automatically sensors will pick it up and take it from from my bank account I

and take it from from my bank account I

and take it from from my bank account I go home

go home

go home the temperatures control the fridges

the temperatures control the fridges

the temperatures control the fridges automatically fall fantastic you know

automatically fall fantastic you know

automatically fall fantastic you know great things technology is doing but

great things technology is doing but

great things technology is doing but look at what we are in our cities at the

look at what we are in our cities at the

look at what we are in our cities at the moment what defines a modern city sadly

moment what defines a modern city sadly

moment what defines a modern city sadly there’s negativity there it’s vandalism

there’s negativity there it’s vandalism

there’s negativity there it’s vandalism it’s crime its fear its security its

it’s crime its fear its security its

it’s crime its fear its security its isolation its loneliness

isolation its loneliness

isolation its loneliness yet we’re in these streets great cities

yet we’re in these streets great cities

yet we’re in these streets great cities but what we have designed out of them is

but what we have designed out of them is

but what we have designed out of them is nature we’re defined by tarmac

nature we’re defined by tarmac

nature we’re defined by tarmac we’re defined by concrete and what

we’re defined by concrete and what

we’re defined by concrete and what evergreens exist aroni on the sides of

evergreens exist aroni on the sides of

evergreens exist aroni on the sides of the roads you know now we live in God

the roads you know now we live in God

the roads you know now we live in God way of course and I’ve seen God we’re

way of course and I’ve seen God we’re

way of course and I’ve seen God we’re growing from the 70s unlike any city in

growing from the 70s unlike any city in

growing from the 70s unlike any city in Ireland two things defined it from the

Ireland two things defined it from the

Ireland two things defined it from the 60s in the 70s

60s in the 70s

60s in the 70s one was term tarmac the roadways and

one was term tarmac the roadways and

one was term tarmac the roadways and secondly was housing estate after

secondly was housing estate after

secondly was housing estate after housing estate after housing state urban

housing estate after housing state urban

housing estate after housing state urban sprawl and that design separated us from

sprawl and that design separated us from

sprawl and that design separated us from our neighbors how many of you know your

our neighbors how many of you know your

our neighbors how many of you know your neighbors a lot of us don’t know who

neighbors a lot of us don’t know who

neighbors a lot of us don’t know who lives left or right of ourselves how

lives left or right of ourselves how

lives left or right of ourselves how many of you find it difficult to walk to

many of you find it difficult to walk to

many of you find it difficult to walk to a school to a place a worship to your

a school to a place a worship to your

a school to a place a worship to your shop because these roadways are like

shop because these roadways are like

shop because these roadways are like shark-infested waters there’s no

shark-infested waters there’s no

shark-infested waters there’s no infrastructure for transport mass

infrastructure for transport mass

infrastructure for transport mass transport and we have to move away from

transport and we have to move away from

transport and we have to move away from the car and the petrol to save the

the car and the petrol to save the

the car and the petrol to save the planet and have a quality of life you

planet and have a quality of life you

planet and have a quality of life you know all of those things cycling walking

know all of those things cycling walking

know all of those things cycling walking all of that connectivity is gone from

all of that connectivity is gone from

all of that connectivity is gone from our cities and how do we bring it back

our cities and how do we bring it back

our cities and how do we bring it back and if you look at technology I talked

and if you look at technology I talked

and if you look at technology I talked about the wonders of technology but you

about the wonders of technology but you

about the wonders of technology but you look at what the web is doing to us it’s

look at what the web is doing to us it’s

look at what the web is doing to us it’s isolating us it is leading on cyber

isolating us it is leading on cyber

isolating us it is leading on cyber bullying it’s leading to aggression it’s

bullying it’s leading to aggression it’s

bullying it’s leading to aggression it’s leading to objectification of women

leading to objectification of women

leading to objectification of women online

online

online it’s leading to isolation we are more

it’s leading to isolation we are more

it’s leading to isolation we are more connected than ever before but we’re

connected than ever before but we’re

connected than ever before but we’re less in communication than ever before

less in communication than ever before

less in communication than ever before so everything we have to look at how

so everything we have to look at how

so everything we have to look at how it’s impacting us and our young people

it’s impacting us and our young people

it’s impacting us and our young people at the moment they estimate the 20

at the moment they estimate the 20

at the moment they estimate the 20 percent of our young people in Ireland

percent of our young people in Ireland

percent of our young people in Ireland suffer mental health issues and why is

suffer mental health issues and why is

suffer mental health issues and why is that it’s increasing all the time

that it’s increasing all the time

that it’s increasing all the time because of the stress and the pressure

because of the stress and the pressure

because of the stress and the pressure that’s partly coming from the internet

that’s partly coming from the internet

that’s partly coming from the internet itself and also if you look at nature

itself and also if you look at nature

itself and also if you look at nature it’s out we’re pushing it and pushing it

it’s out we’re pushing it and pushing it

it’s out we’re pushing it and pushing it and pushing it away we have problems

and pushing it away we have problems

and pushing it away we have problems with our with our physical health we

with our with our physical health we

with our with our physical health we have to probably the highest rate of

have to probably the highest rate of

have to probably the highest rate of obesity in all of Europe our young

obesity in all of Europe our young

obesity in all of Europe our young people is 25% 70% of our population are

people is 25% 70% of our population are

people is 25% 70% of our population are not doing enough exercise and we have to

not doing enough exercise and we have to

not doing enough exercise and we have to get nature back in we look at children

get nature back in we look at children

get nature back in we look at children we should be encouraging the decline

we should be encouraging the decline

we should be encouraging the decline trees and touch it why because it’s

trees and touch it why because it’s

trees and touch it why because it’s proven that nature comes as

proven that nature comes as

proven that nature comes as down people with ADHD take them out into

down people with ADHD take them out into

down people with ADHD take them out into a green area into a forest it camps

a green area into a forest it camps

a green area into a forest it camps people you go to a hospital patients

people you go to a hospital patients

people you go to a hospital patients there planting trees so it has a calming

there planting trees so it has a calming

there planting trees so it has a calming effect and it’s there because when I

effect and it’s there because when I

effect and it’s there because when I look at you you look like skin and bone

look at you you look like skin and bone

look at you you look like skin and bone and I mean that as a compliment you look

and I mean that as a compliment you look

and I mean that as a compliment you look at me I’m skin and bone and organs all

at me I’m skin and bone and organs all

at me I’m skin and bone and organs all dressed but I am also turkey trillion to

dressed but I am also turkey trillion to

dressed but I am also turkey trillion to 300 trillion folks that’s part of our

300 trillion folks that’s part of our

300 trillion folks that’s part of our system and we need to refresh in it and

system and we need to refresh in it and

system and we need to refresh in it and how do we do it by breathing in the air

how do we do it by breathing in the air

how do we do it by breathing in the air of nature and what are we breathing in

of nature and what are we breathing in

of nature and what are we breathing in at the moment we’re breathing in cars

at the moment we’re breathing in cars

at the moment we’re breathing in cars what comes from cars so you’re driving

what comes from cars so you’re driving

what comes from cars so you’re driving along you’re a nice isolated little car

along you’re a nice isolated little car

along you’re a nice isolated little car and what are you doing you’re hurting

and what are you doing you’re hurting

and what are you doing you’re hurting the people that are walking and cycling

the people that are walking and cycling

the people that are walking and cycling and living beside the roadways because

and living beside the roadways because

and living beside the roadways because those emissions coming out are toxic and

those emissions coming out are toxic and

those emissions coming out are toxic and research is showing now that the metal

research is showing now that the metal

research is showing now that the metal particulates that are coming out are

particulates that are coming out are

particulates that are coming out are leading to Alzheimer’s and dementia the

leading to Alzheimer’s and dementia the

leading to Alzheimer’s and dementia the present research so where do we go

present research so where do we go

present research so where do we go sometimes you feel like a tsunami is

sometimes you feel like a tsunami is

sometimes you feel like a tsunami is hitting you we have to try to change the

hitting you we have to try to change the

hitting you we have to try to change the world it’s too much for me

world it’s too much for me

world it’s too much for me I’ll just bail out you know no we have

I’ll just bail out you know no we have

I’ll just bail out you know no we have to take ownership at a problem because

to take ownership at a problem because

to take ownership at a problem because we’re part of the problem and what is

we’re part of the problem and what is

we’re part of the problem and what is local is it global as a problem has to

local is it global as a problem has to

local is it global as a problem has to be solved locally so back in the mid 90s

be solved locally so back in the mid 90s

be solved locally so back in the mid 90s a load of a scientists community

a load of a scientists community

a load of a scientists community activists resin sociation and foreign

activists resin sociation and foreign

activists resin sociation and foreign mentalists we came together and we saw

mentalists we came together and we saw

mentalists we came together and we saw the way Galway was spreading and we

the way Galway was spreading and we

the way Galway was spreading and we decided to hold on to the greens we have

decided to hold on to the greens we have

decided to hold on to the greens we have and remember the only greens we need

and remember the only greens we need

and remember the only greens we need greens for planning permission but what

greens for planning permission but what

greens for planning permission but what are they they look good

are they they look good

are they they look good percentage-wise but the decider roads

percentage-wise but the decider roads

percentage-wise but the decider roads are these horrible sterile ecological

are these horrible sterile ecological

are these horrible sterile ecological deserts manicured lawns in the middle of

deserts manicured lawns in the middle of

deserts manicured lawns in the middle of our state so we wanted to bring why life

our state so we wanted to bring why life

our state so we wanted to bring why life back into the city

back into the city

back into the city so we earmarked 180 acres along the

so we earmarked 180 acres along the

so we earmarked 180 acres along the Terry land river that connects the carob

Terry land river that connects the carob

Terry land river that connects the carob water rivers and lakes and streamed into

water rivers and lakes and streamed into

water rivers and lakes and streamed into his call we going through at the center

his call we going through at the center

his call we going through at the center of Galway and we started in March 2000

of Galway and we started in March 2000

of Galway and we started in March 2000 and since then 100,000 trees plus have

and since then 100,000 trees plus have

and since then 100,000 trees plus have been planted native trees once they came

been planted native trees once they came

been planted native trees once they came over at the end of the Ice Age they have

over at the end of the Ice Age they have

over at the end of the Ice Age they have a lot more wildlife has it made a

a lot more wildlife has it made a

a lot more wildlife has it made a difference to biodiversity yes it has

difference to biodiversity yes it has

difference to biodiversity yes it has citizen science and third level research

citizen science and third level research

citizen science and third level research has shown that there’s over 50 different

has shown that there’s over 50 different

has shown that there’s over 50 different types of birds attracted in that there

types of birds attracted in that there

types of birds attracted in that there are six different species of bats and

are six different species of bats and

are six different species of bats and there’s only nine species in the whole

there’s only nine species in the whole

there’s only nine species in the whole con

con

con and Michel de zon later his students in

and Michel de zon later his students in

and Michel de zon later his students in one small area uncovered 98 different

one small area uncovered 98 different

one small area uncovered 98 different types of archer pots you know so it is

types of archer pots you know so it is

types of archer pots you know so it is fulfilling that biodiversity thing and

fulfilling that biodiversity thing and

fulfilling that biodiversity thing and it’s bringing us out to nature

it’s bringing us out to nature

it’s bringing us out to nature but every few years the council’s right

but every few years the council’s right

but every few years the council’s right to build roads through it and the park

to build roads through it and the park

to build roads through it and the park is disconnected by the roads and we’re

is disconnected by the roads and we’re

is disconnected by the roads and we’re talking about bring bridges but it’s a

talking about bring bridges but it’s a

talking about bring bridges but it’s a good start and it’s not just trees what

good start and it’s not just trees what

good start and it’s not just trees what we are doing we’re taking those sterile

we are doing we’re taking those sterile

we are doing we’re taking those sterile and lawns and over the last few years we

and lawns and over the last few years we

and lawns and over the last few years we planted 10,000 plus wild flowers and the

planted 10,000 plus wild flowers and the

planted 10,000 plus wild flowers and the wild flowers aren’t just pretty they are

wild flowers aren’t just pretty they are

wild flowers aren’t just pretty they are havens for wildlife they are and nectar

havens for wildlife they are and nectar

havens for wildlife they are and nectar rich environments for our pollinators

rich environments for our pollinators

rich environments for our pollinators our birds and our bees and our moths and

our birds and our bees and our moths and

our birds and our bees and our moths and so on and we’re talking to local farmers

so on and we’re talking to local farmers

so on and we’re talking to local farmers on the far side of the park now to get

on the far side of the park now to get

on the far side of the park now to get them to develop be corridors where we

them to develop be corridors where we

them to develop be corridors where we start for the threatened wildlife for

start for the threatened wildlife for

start for the threatened wildlife for the pollinators you know and at the end

the pollinators you know and at the end

the pollinators you know and at the end of it what do we do because it’s not

of it what do we do because it’s not

of it what do we do because it’s not using mechanization but we use the

using mechanization but we use the

using mechanization but we use the handheld side thanks to the commander

handheld side thanks to the commander

handheld side thanks to the commander fire dimension moving which has with men

fire dimension moving which has with men

fire dimension moving which has with men and women and the conservation

and women and the conservation

and women and the conservation volunteers

volunteers

volunteers we’re upskilling are people dosed skills

we’re upskilling are people dosed skills

we’re upskilling are people dosed skills that we used to have it’s all about

that we used to have it’s all about

that we used to have it’s all about empowering ourselves getting our hands

empowering ourselves getting our hands

empowering ourselves getting our hands dirty making things again and they put

dirty making things again and they put

dirty making things again and they put the the hey and what happens with the

the the hey and what happens with the

the the hey and what happens with the hey it makes a cow very happy cows in

hey it makes a cow very happy cows in

hey it makes a cow very happy cows in Ireland at the moment are really

Ireland at the moment are really

Ireland at the moment are really depressed they are so bored they’re

depressed they are so bored they’re

depressed they are so bored they’re eating the same bloody thing everyday

eating the same bloody thing everyday

eating the same bloody thing everyday boring tasteless grass so what we’re

boring tasteless grass so what we’re

boring tasteless grass so what we’re giving them out of this is father that’s

giving them out of this is father that’s

giving them out of this is father that’s rich in herbs rich in wild flowers it’s

rich in herbs rich in wild flowers it’s

rich in herbs rich in wild flowers it’s varied so one is you have a happy cow

varied so one is you have a happy cow

varied so one is you have a happy cow second you have a healthy cow thirdly

second you have a healthy cow thirdly

second you have a healthy cow thirdly you have we’re better because we’re

you have we’re better because we’re

you have we’re better because we’re getting nutritious meals out of it you

getting nutritious meals out of it you

getting nutritious meals out of it you know everything is interconnected one of

know everything is interconnected one of

know everything is interconnected one of the big problems with Galway is that

the big problems with Galway is that

the big problems with Galway is that were a city of 80,000 people and were

were a city of 80,000 people and were

were a city of 80,000 people and were enclosed we’re cut off there is no

enclosed we’re cut off there is no

enclosed we’re cut off there is no avenues for us to walk in safety and to

avenues for us to walk in safety and to

avenues for us to walk in safety and to cycling safety it’s so farcical we have

cycling safety it’s so farcical we have

cycling safety it’s so farcical we have an hour doorstep

an hour doorstep

an hour doorstep one of the most famous landscapes in all

one of the most famous landscapes in all

one of the most famous landscapes in all of Europe connemara but there is no

of Europe connemara but there is no

of Europe connemara but there is no proper safe cycle way or pedestrian way

proper safe cycle way or pedestrian way

proper safe cycle way or pedestrian way it sounds like a joke but it isn’t and a

it sounds like a joke but it isn’t and a

it sounds like a joke but it isn’t and a number of us have got together to

number of us have got together to

number of us have got together to develop the old rail line this

develop the old rail line this

develop the old rail line this 75 kilometers realign the starts and go

75 kilometers realign the starts and go

75 kilometers realign the starts and go with city and continues on to Clifton if

with city and continues on to Clifton if

with city and continues on to Clifton if that is brought back to life as a

that is brought back to life as a

that is brought back to life as a greenway it will revitalize the towns

greenway it will revitalize the towns

greenway it will revitalize the towns and the villages out there and we have a

and the villages out there and we have a

and the villages out there and we have a lot of support out there but it’s a

lot of support out there but it’s a

lot of support out there but it’s a tough struggle and we’re also involved

tough struggle and we’re also involved

tough struggle and we’re also involved in greenways a 40 loop cycle that starts

in greenways a 40 loop cycle that starts

in greenways a 40 loop cycle that starts in turn on ends in turn on takes in

in turn on ends in turn on takes in

in turn on ends in turn on takes in seven castles along the north in the

seven castles along the north in the

seven castles along the north in the east of the city through bogs and

east of the city through bogs and

east of the city through bogs and landscapes and we need to be doing more

landscapes and we need to be doing more

landscapes and we need to be doing more of that we have to take ownership of the

of that we have to take ownership of the

of that we have to take ownership of the problems and we all have to become urban

problems and we all have to become urban

problems and we all have to become urban gardener gardeners we have to bring the

gardener gardeners we have to bring the

gardener gardeners we have to bring the farming back into the city

farming back into the city

farming back into the city so we’ve settled with the City Council

so we’ve settled with the City Council

so we’ve settled with the City Council who are very good in this aspect and

who are very good in this aspect and

who are very good in this aspect and we’re with the Galway City partnership

we’re with the Galway City partnership

we’re with the Galway City partnership and community groups across the city

and community groups across the city

and community groups across the city we’re developing community gardens that

we’re developing community gardens that

we’re developing community gardens that are organic its food for us but it’s

are organic its food for us but it’s

are organic its food for us but it’s also food for wildlife but most

also food for wildlife but most

also food for wildlife but most importantly as well is we have to kick

importantly as well is we have to kick

importantly as well is we have to kick the walls of the school down and get our

the walls of the school down and get our

the walls of the school down and get our children out from mental health and for

children out from mental health and for

children out from mental health and for physical health purposes look at our

physical health purposes look at our

physical health purposes look at our children today we were scared to let

children today we were scared to let

children today we were scared to let them outside

them outside

them outside we keep them inside we throw them a

we keep them inside we throw them a

we keep them inside we throw them a smart device to keep them happy and

smart device to keep them happy and

smart device to keep them happy and occupied you know or when we do let them

occupied you know or when we do let them

occupied you know or when we do let them out we put them in an enclosed area

out we put them in an enclosed area

out we put them in an enclosed area called a playground we cut them off from

called a playground we cut them off from

called a playground we cut them off from a sense of freedom and of wonderment of

a sense of freedom and of wonderment of

a sense of freedom and of wonderment of all of them we have to get over that and

all of them we have to get over that and

all of them we have to get over that and in Britain a recent study has shown that

in Britain a recent study has shown that

in Britain a recent study has shown that in the last two decades children’s area

in the last two decades children’s area

in the last two decades children’s area of play has shrunk to ninety percent of

of play has shrunk to ninety percent of

of play has shrunk to ninety percent of what it was a school outside every

what it was a school outside every

what it was a school outside every single school should be involved in the

single school should be involved in the

single school should be involved in the environment we should have the outdoor

environment we should have the outdoor

environment we should have the outdoor classroom not just for physical and

classroom not just for physical and

classroom not just for physical and mental health but also for learning

mental health but also for learning

mental health but also for learning purposes there is so much wonders out

purposes there is so much wonders out

purposes there is so much wonders out there and when the children plant a tree

there and when the children plant a tree

there and when the children plant a tree you know what they’re doing or any of us

you know what they’re doing or any of us

you know what they’re doing or any of us plan to treat we are planting a universe

plan to treat we are planting a universe

plan to treat we are planting a universe when you plan to no tree it’s home to

when you plan to no tree it’s home to

when you plan to no tree it’s home to 450 different types of species the birds

450 different types of species the birds

450 different types of species the birds and the bees the insects generally do

and the bees the insects generally do

and the bees the insects generally do for me the flowers all of those it’s not

for me the flowers all of those it’s not

for me the flowers all of those it’s not beautiful to be able to say that you

beautiful to be able to say that you

beautiful to be able to say that you created that so we have to bring a sense

created that so we have to bring a sense

created that so we have to bring a sense of wonder back into nature we are part

of wonder back into nature we are part

of wonder back into nature we are part of nature

of nature

of nature we have contaminated and destroyed it

we have contaminated and destroyed it

we have contaminated and destroyed it for 10,000 years and we have to

for 10,000 years and we have to

for 10,000 years and we have to compensate for that because we are part

compensate for that because we are part

compensate for that because we are part of the planet

of the planet

of the planet and we have to use technology I love

and we have to use technology I love

and we have to use technology I love technology I’m a coder and I train

technology I’m a coder and I train

technology I’m a coder and I train people all over the world so it’s about

people all over the world so it’s about

people all over the world so it’s about using technology for the good for our

using technology for the good for our

using technology for the good for our young people from digital users to

young people from digital users to

young people from digital users to digital creators and use the apps and

digital creators and use the apps and

digital creators and use the apps and all the rest of it so for our young

all the rest of it so for our young

all the rest of it so for our young people and for all of us it should be a

people and for all of us it should be a

people and for all of us it should be a smart device in one hand and a spade in

smart device in one hand and a spade in

smart device in one hand and a spade in the other thank you

the other thank you

the other thank you [Applause]