Digital Hub to host Irish leg of global green hackathon

11 Sep 2014

The Digital Exchange building in Dublin's Digital Hub

The Digital Hub in Dublin is to host the Irish participants in a global weekend hackathon from 12-14 September across 45 cities dedicated to finding solutions to climate change through technology.

The Geeklist #hack4good 0.6 hackathon this weekend will see more than 3,000 software engineers, designers, developers, entrepreneurs and innovators gather in 45 cities from all parts of the globe to find innovative solutions to an ever-growing world issue.

Those taking part in the event will be building apps, products and technologies to solve 15 key global climate and environment challenges facing us today, with the Digital Hub hosting six of these participants. Participation is open to anyone with an internet connection and the desire to help.

Other cities taking part in the event come from as far as the Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago to Kathmandu in Nepal.

Changing both the science and the mind-set

The 15 challenges that participants will be looking to master not only relate to the direct scientific problems related to our changing climate, but also to aspects such as changing consumer behaviour, better collaboration between different sectors, and use of digital tools to create powerful online movements to raise awareness.

Commenting in advance of tomorrow’s kick-off, Ruth Flynn, client services manager with the Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) said, “The DHDA is delighted to be involved in the #hack4good climate change hackathon.

“We know technology can play a huge role in finding innovative solutions for major global issues. As a hotbed for digital talent, The Digital Hub is the ideal location for such an ambitious and high-profile hackathon.”

The Dublin #hack4good hackathon on climate change will get going in the Digital Depot building at The Digital Hub, Roe Lane, Dublin 8, at 7pm on Friday, 12 September, with presentations of prizes on Sunday, 14 September, at 5pm.

Hacking image, via Shutterstock

Colm Gorey was a senior journalist with Silicon Republic

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