Bringing science, business and environmental stewardship to local Government

A prominent environmental scientist, businessman and community activist (thats me, might as well blow my own horn) has announced he is to run for the Green Party in the Skibbereen Electoral Area. Declan Waugh was asked by the Green Party to stand for election and has decided to accept the challenge offering his business, technical and project management skills to the people of West Cork.

Declan Waugh, who received the Cork Environmental Forum Award for Individual Action in 2009, previously worked as Director of Environment and Planning for the SWS Group.  He currently runs his own environmental consultancy in addition to having established Partnership for Change, an education and awareness initiative to build leadership and awareness on climate change and assist in the transition to a low carbon economy.

According to Declan “If we continue with business as usual we will not overcome the economic and environmental challenges this country currently faces. We must start re-examining how we manage our society, supporting the development of clean energy and the sustainable use of resources to create a low carbon economy while protecting our environment. Our environment is our economy and the health and wellbeing of our community depends on clean air, water and soil.”

Declan believes that science matters to local government, that we need elected representatives who understand environmental legislation and planning laws, who know how to approach development plans at a local and regional level and who have a technical understanding of waste management, water, noise and air pollution. He maintains that we need representatives who understand about impact assessment, sustainable development, climate change, transportation policy, renewable energy and how to build a green economy, which will be critical for the economic and energy security of this country.  This is Declan’s own background and he has worked in these areas for almost twenty years both as an environmental scientist and businessman.  In this capacity, Declan says “I know only too well that unless we address these problems now, our economy and society will pay a terrible price that I am not willing to accept.”

In reference to the current financial crisis Declan said “All local Authorities including Cork County Council will face enormous challenges providing the services we depend on. I believe that West Cork now needs a new generation of public representatives that show the capacity for change offering new skills, ideas and experience to help overcome these difficulties.” According to Declan we can overcome these challenges but it requires “new ideas and we have to be more efficient at how we save public money while continuing to provide essential public services. We have to be innovative and creative to bring about the changes that are needed; we need people who have a long-term vision and a track record in business and innovation.

Declan said “I was asked to stand in the local elections as it was considered that I have these skills and abilities. I want to offer the people of West Cork an alternative; someone with no political baggage or unrelated to past incumbents, someone who stands on their our abilities, skills and experience; someone who has vision, determination and a sense of what the future can offer if we act now to face the challenges and opportunities ahead. 

According to Declan, “we are living in a time of transformation of historic proportions; faced with both the collapse of our financial system as well as an imminent threat to our environment from climate change and global warming. We must now tackle these issues and develop a low-carbon economy but we must start the process in local communities through participation of local government.”