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‘Hope comes from climate action, everyone has a role to play’ – Dr Michelle McKeown to present RTÉ climate change series Heated

15 Oct 2024

• UCC Geography lecturer Dr Michelle McKeown returns to RTÉ for second season of climate change series Heated.
• Heated is a factual series that looks at the implications of climate change for communities across Ireland.
• The series will tell stories of hope, inspiration and practical action to cut emissions.

UCC lecturer Dr Michelle McKeown says it’s more important than ever to inspire collective hope and action when many people are feeling powerless by reports of floods, storms and heatwaves around the world.

Dr Michelle McKeown is one of three presenters of RTE’s Heated, which over six weeks will share practical, informative and inspirational aspects of climate action. Heated will share stories of ordinary people making significant differences in their communities.

Dr McKeown, Lecturer in Environmental Geography in UCC College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences and Principal Investigator at the Environmental Research Institute, alongside her co-presenters Hannah Quinn Mulligan and Rónán Ó Dálaigh, will invite viewers to engage with critical conversations around climate change, sustainability and the future of our planet.

The power of small changes 

Dr McKeown says: “Heated is unique because it doesn’t just focus on the big, global-scale issues, which can feel distant and abstract. Instead, it shines a spotlight on local, often under-the-radar, efforts where individuals and communities are making real, tangible changes. We get to see climate action through the eyes of people on the ground, which makes the conversation about climate change more personal and accessible.”

“Hope comes from action. While the scale of the climate crisis can feel overwhelming, seeing people on the ground making a difference is incredibly inspiring. From my research, I know that even small changes can have a cumulative positive effect. Shows like Heated remind us that when we work together, locally and globally, there’s real potential for meaningful change.”

As a leading researcher and educator in environmental geography, Dr McKeown explores scientific insights and real-world impact.

Dr McKeown said: “My role on Heated is to bring that scientific insight to viewers, showing that the actions we highlight are not just feel-good projects but ones that are backed by solid evidence. Science provides the foundation for understanding the problem, but more importantly, it helps us design the solutions. Whether it’s restoring peatlands or creating urban green spaces, research guides us in making the most impactful changes.”

Designing solutions 

“Heated is to bring that scientific insight to viewers, showing that the actions we highlight are not just feel-good projects but ones that are backed by solid evidence. Science provides the foundation for understanding the problem, but more importantly, it helps us design the solutions. Whether it’s restoring peatlands or creating urban green spaces, research guides us in making the most impactful changes.”

“I hope Heated empowers viewers to realise that climate action is not just for experts or policymakers, everyone has a role to play. Whether it's reducing waste, supporting local initiatives, or learning more about sustainable practices. Heated aims to inspire people to see that their individual actions, when combined with others, can create real, lasting change,” Dr Michelle McKeown said.

The first episode in season two of Heated will air on RTÉ One and at 7pm on Tuesday, 15 October.