Weird weather, warming seas, wildfires and the possibility that up to half of all species could be lost by the end of this century – with problems this big, where do you even start?
You sort your recycling, you switch off lights, you do your best – but when yet another community somewhere in the world loses everything to climate-related floods, fires or famine, it can be easy to feel powerless. Can our individual actions really make a difference to climate change?
The ripple effect of empowered individuals can make all the difference – that’s the premise of An Taisce’s annual ‘Climate Ambassador’ programme. There is real power in uniting people in climate action, and applications for Ireland’s 2026 Climate Ambassadors are now open.
An Taisce’s climate ambassadors come from all walks of life, and from all corners of Ireland. From students to working professionals and retirees, these are people who have put their hand up to learn more about what’s going on with our planet and how to effect change.
Become a climate ambassador in 2026 and it could bring you to all kinds of places
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If you want to be part of the climate conversation but don’t have the words, becoming a climate ambassador is a good place to start.
“Coastal, rural, midlands, urban … farmers, foodies, bikers, bingo lovers, nature lovers, scientists, hobbyists, parents, students, tidy towners, TikTokers, book clubbers, night clubbers, GAA-ers …” the climate ambassador programme is open to anyone, says An Taisce.
“Climate change effects are being felt on a local, national and global scale, so now, more than ever, we need people from all areas and all walks of life to unite in meaningful climate action,” it says.
So, if you were to become a climate ambassador, what would be involved? In your first year, you would get training from experts, covering climate literacy, solutions and leadership. You would also be trained in climate communications and action planning.
You would have the chance to join informative climate action tours and workshops around the country too, and attend gatherings of fellow climate ambassadors.
In return, you are asked to carry out at least two climate actions and two climate communications to make your school, campus, workplace, club or community more resilient to climate change.
Could organising tea and a chat about climate change in your local community centre make a difference? What about arranging a nature walk with an ecologist along a river near you, or talking about carpooling at your sports club?
Last year’s ambassadors found themselves talking about climate change and leading activities at events such as Culture Night, Heritage Week and the National Ploughing Championships
Ambassadors are asked to keep a log of their activity so that their collective climate actions and communications can be measured and celebrated.
The programme culminates in an awards ceremony that celebrates friendship, hope and the power of people uniting in climate action, says An Taisce.
Become a climate ambassador in 2026 and it could bring you to all kinds of places. Maybe you’ll attend an urban pond-making workshop in inner-city Dublin. You could find yourself on an expert-led woodland and shore foraging walk in Co Galway discovering edible plant life, or you might investigate the soil in Glenasmole Valley. Maybe you’ll launch a nature-themed book club, or attend freshwater ecology training.
[ Eamon Ryan: At Cop30 I ask myself, is this really working?Opens in new window ]
Those are just some of the things climate ambassadors did last year.
Others got stuck into some seriously strenuous but important bog restoration work in Barnacullian bog in the Wicklow Mountains – they got hands-on and knee deep in a day of community climate action alongside the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Some got busy on social media, interrupting your feed with reminders to explore Ireland’s beautiful biodiversity. Check out @climateambassador on Instagram to see what they’ve been up to.
Yes, against the scale of a warming planet, these can seem like small things, but conversations and local actions build towards greater awareness and incremental change.
If you want to learn more about climate change from experts, and find community in effecting change, then An Taisce’s climate ambassador is worth a look. It’s inviting applications until November 30th.
