​ ​To Haumea Ecoversity Newsletter Followers & Supporters

Please support Cathy's submission
that ecoliteracy, utilising the Earth Charter
—be included in Ireland's plan
for the adoption of the new EU Nature Restoration Law

Special Request - add your name to Cathy's submission before 1pm tomorrow. Simply 'reply' to this email with your name & address!

Dear Reader,

You may have heard of the EU Nature Restoration Law (NRR) (EU) 2024/1991, a legally binding framework to restore 20% of the EU’s land and sea by 2030 and all degraded ecosystems by 2050. In Ireland, an Independent Advisory Committee has published recommendations for the National Nature Restoration Plan, which will guide Ireland’s implementation.

Public submissions close at 12 PM tomorrow, 30 June, and organisations like the Irish Wildlife Trust, Hometree, and Friends of the Earth are urging everyone to contribute.

Already, Senator Malcolm Noonan and others have begun to support my submission below, and I’d love your support too.

Why this matters:​
The Advisory Committee’s report recognises the need for ‘ecological literacy’ for all of Irish society (Section 6), but its definition is limited to nature education about species and habitats. This misses the holistic ecoliteracy (systems literacy), the shift in global education that UNESCO and others have championed for decades—an approach that empowers people to develop an ecological worldview and understand that nature restoration is essential for a liveable future, not just a ‘nice-to-have’. Without this shift toward an ecological worldview, public and political support for the law will remain weak, especially as misinformation and polarisation grow.

The Earth Charter

Crafted by visionaries and a remarkable global civil society process over twenty-five years ago, the Earth Charter is a document with sixteen principles, organised under four pillars, that seek to turn conscience into action. It seeks to inspire in all people a new sense of global interdependence and shared responsibility for the well-being of the whole human family, the greater community of life, and future generations. It is a holistic vision of a more compassionate, just and peaceful world, and a call to action.

What I’ve done:​
I’ve submitted a proposal advocating for the UNESCO-endorsed Earth Charter (2000) as a unifying, accessible vision to rapidly build ecoliteracy across Irish society.

My submission is grounded in real-world experience, including:

• Pioneering ecoliteracy courses with the Earth Charter, with California-based philosopher Nikos Patedakis, at Haumea Ecoversity since 2019
• Overseeing the Irish translation of the Earth Charter by mother, artist, and Gaeilgeoir Phoebe Cope (supported by Carlow’s Drummin Bog Project and Creative Ireland Carlow, 2023–25), presented at the Earth Charter’s 25th anniversary celebrations at the Peace Palace, The Hague.
• Partnering with Carlow Arts Office to bring ecoliteracy training with the Earth Charter to professional creatives and art educators in Carlow, Kildare, and Meath through the Gnáthóga Nadurtha | Natural Habitats Arts Council Invitation to Collaborate 2022–4 programme, inspiring initiatives like:
  • Youth theatre groups creating plays about the Barrow River in Athy, Co Kildare, with Earth Charter readings (even presenting in the Irish Seanad!),
  • Men’s Sheds discussing the Earth Charter and printing Swift boxes with Earth Charter symbols,
  • Traditional musicians, visual artists, young people and natural dye artists creating Earth Charter ‘prayer flags’ and banners to celebrate the Barrow River,
  • Earth Charter banners for eco-activism and learning in Northern Ireland,
  • Child artist-educators and researchers advising early childhood teachers on the Earth Charter and Little Children’s Earth Charter.
• Working with ecopoet Grace Wells since 2022 to present, to introduce the Earth Charter and Ireland’s ecological cultural heritage to Local Authority and Creative Ireland staff in Carlow, Kildare, Meath, and to creative and County Council staff in Wexford, Roscommon, and Kilkenny, including developing new ecoliteracy Earth Charter training in 2026 with Kilkenny Co. Council staff and with Haumea Ecoversity creatives who know about the Earth Charter for Kilkenny TidyTowns and other voluntary community groups.

How you can help:​
If you’d like to support this submission, please 'reply 'to this email ASAP, before the 1 PM deadline, TOMORROW 30 June with:

• Your name,
• Title/organisation (if applicable),
• Address and county in Ireland.

Note: All submissions will be made public, so only sign if you’re comfortable with this.

Read my Submission:

​Submission from Cathy Fitzgerald Haumea Ecoversity for the NNRP 2026.pdf​

(You don't need to necessarily read this supplementary letter below, as I go into more detail)
​Supplementary Letter for NNRP.pdf​

This submission may surprise decision-makers for a National Nature Restoration Plan, but it’s critical. The Earth Charter’s vision for cultural transformation, not just transition—calling us to care for the community of life, to strive for ecological integrity, justice, democracy, non-violence, and peace—has inspired us and other people worldwide for 26 years (incidentally, Earth Charter International is celebrating the anniversary of the launch of the Earth Charter today—it was launched for the world at the Peace Palace on 29 June, 2000 for all peoples, future generations, and for Earth too).

So let’s bring the remarkable story and inclusive holistic vision of the Earth Charter to Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan.

Thank you for considering this!

Cathy, Nikos and Martin at Haumea Ecoversity
​

Thank you!

Founded by Dr Cathy Fitzgerald and drawing on her pioneering, ongoing ecosocial art project The Hollywood Forest Story, her PhD (The Ecological Turn, NCAD 2018), and postdoctoral work with Earth Charter International, Haumea Ecoversity offers peer-to-peer learning grounded in the UNESCO-endorsed Earth Charter.

In collaboration with philosopher and podcaster Dr Nikos Patedakis (California, DangerousWisdom.org), we’ve supported 400+ learners through innovative ecopedagogy and mentoring—many now are ecoliteracy learning leaders, advancing impactful, values-based work across Ireland and internationally.

We believe ecoliteracy and ethical creativity are essential to nurturing regenerative, just, and peaceful futures. Stay connected as we grow this global community

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