Plan a visit to The Cool Planet Experience
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| Pic: Cool Planet Experience. |
The Cool Planet Experience is the world’s first permanent visitor centre dedicated to climate change and connects science, engineering, gaming and drama to present the story of climate change in a new way. Opening to the public in mid-February, it is the first of ten that are planned to open around the world in the next three years.
It's aimed at people aged from 7 through adulthood, takes about an hour to complete, and is full of interesting facts and games centred around climate change. It personalises the story to you — at the start you receive a wristband that you tag on, and enter simple information about your day-to-day life. This is then collated to tell you your carbon footprint (demonstrated by the amount of trees it is equivalent to!).
As you go through the centre, you tag on to different interactions or games, culminating at the end with an opportunity to make a pledge, such as cycling to school rather than being driven. Simplifying the message for our younger generations, this is a fantastic opportunity for children and adults alike to have a real understanding of climate change issues facing Ireland. More than that, it provides visitors with an opportunity to have a better understanding of their own personal impact and the magnitude of the global challenge ahead.
It's not all bad news, the Experience also showcases technologies and techniques already here or on the way which can help to mitigate the effects of change.
The Cool Planet Experience will be a fantastic day out for everyone, and it's only an hour from Kilcullen. The operators are particularly focusing on school groups, so make sure if you have children in primary or secondary that you start spreading the word to those who organise school trips. Coupled with Powerscourt gardens it could be a great excursion day for the family.
(Information courtesy of the EPA Catchments Unit.)
