Thousands of jobs could be created by investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, according to green campaigners, who say more emphasis should be placed on a state-backed Green New Deal.

A public talk on 'A Green New Deal - Ireland in Transition', is being held on Friday 24 April at the Cultivate Centre in Temple Bar as part of the 14th Convergence Sustainable Living Festival.

The festival explores the ways and means to create sustainable lifestyles and resilient communities.

The Convergence Festival will be opened by Energy Minister Eamon Ryan on Earth Day, Wednesday the 22 April, with the launch of the 'The Powerdown Show', Cultivate’s new series of short films about community sustainability.

This year's festival will feature lectures, conferences and films around the theme of 'Making the Transition to Resilience' in Dublin, Thurles and Cloughjordan.

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The main conference 'Rethinking the City', Friday 24 April, now in its sixth year, has become one of Ireland's leading forums on urban design and planning.

In Thurles on Monday 27 April a 'Rethinking the Country' conference will take place exploring the actions and positive changes needed to enhance the quality of life in rural communities.

These conferences offer solutions for some of the most pressing issues, including new visions for enterprise, transport, food, energy and building.

On the weekend of the 25 and 26 April the Irish Transition Towns network will host its national gathering.

'Transition Towns' is a new global movement that leads communities towards resilience in energy, food and economy.

Started in Kinsale, there are now over a thousand initiatives throughout the world. With a selection of International speakers, films and workshops this two-day symposium will bring together all of the Irish communities who have adopted the transition process and those who are considering it.

The final event of the week's activities will be held at the Cloughjordan Ecovillage in North Tipperary on the 28 April.

The ecovillage is a unique and innovative project that is striving to create a fresh blueprint for modern sustainable living. Tours of the ecovillage will take place during the day and in the evening there will be a special ecumenical gathering.

(PR/KMcA)