Global warming may be the crisis to stop our destruction of planet, exhibition launch told
“GLOBAL warming is a good thing,” claimed nature filmmaker Colin Stafford Johnson, shocking attendees at the opening of the 15 Minute Westport cycling exhibition in Westport Town Hall.
“Without a doubt, humanity is on the path to destroying every living organism on the planet. Global warming may be the crisis that has the potential to stop that,” he explained.
His opinion is based on direct experience, witnessing, over many years, the destruction all over the world of rainforests and other habitats, the collapse of biodiversity, the widespread pollution of air, water and land through large-scale mining, industry, transport, farming and consumerism.
He urged us all to take whatever action we can, small or big, to change the self-destructive path we are on, saying that the bike is one positive, simple, healthy way to do that.
“I find that getting on my bike is a great way to start the day,” he said. “It sets me up in a very positive frame of mind, and I notice that stays with me for the rest of the day,” he commented.
The renowned cameraman and filmmaker had high praise for local photographer Conor McKeown’s beautiful portraits of ordinary Westport people doing just that.
The exhibition is a beautiful celebration of young and old doing their everyday things, on their bikes: from Jim Waters going for a spin, with his dog in the basket; to Nuala Currid arriving at work, energised by her cycle down the greenway on her e-bike; to young Fionn Ó Raghallaigh with his Batman bell wending his way to school in Brackloon.
Brendan Mulroy, cathaoirleach of West Mayo Municipal District, a regular cyclist himself, also spoke at the opening. He urged the community to continue to work together in a spirit of collaboration to build sustainability into Westport life and to make the shift to sustainable transport.
15 Minute Westport hopes the exhibition will inspire more people to get on their bikes and reduce the use of the car, especially for those short journeys to the shops, school, or other local activities.
“The car is king in Westport and in most Irish towns,” said Róisín Brady from the organising committee. “There are too many reasons that this needs to change - business, the environment, noise, pollution, comfort, safety, liveability to mention a few,” she continued. “We also hope our screening of the documentary Motherload will further inspire the Westport community. It’s on December 1st in the W Cinema.”
“What is our collective vision for the town? Who has a modern, progressive vision?” asked Cuala McGann, one of the exhibition organisers. “If Westport wants to continue to be up there amongst the best places to live in Ireland, winning national awards, it has to move with the times.
“We would love to see Westport further develop our clean, green credentials by enhancing our infrastructure and facilities for cyclists and pedestrians,” McGann suggested. “For example, it would be great, and relatively simple, to connect up the fantastic greenways we have around the town through the town centre.
“At the moment we are looking around the country and seeing what is happening in Clonakilty and Ennis and Waterford and we see how they are evolving into more people friendly towns, making more space available to cyclists and pedestrians. They have taken the lead,” said McGann. “But we want Westport to re-establish itself as a leader in this field and we think the community wants that too.
“Celebrating and facilitating the cyclist is a small way to do that and will start the necessary major modal shift required, from car to bike. Accolades aside, it’s an environmental imperative."
The exhibition - FREEWHEELING to a better future - continues in the town hall until the end of January.