I cycle and buy second hand items... it saves me a bundle!

Ex-ballet dancer DONNACHADH McCARTHY went from being the deputy chairman of a major British political party (the Lib Dems), to an eco warrior twice arrested last week at protests by Extinction Rebellion (XR). A professional eco-consultant, he has many tips on how to save the planet – and lots of money in the process.

How did a Munster lad end up dancing with the Royal Ballet instead of haring down the wing at Thomond Park?

It was miraculous. I auditioned with 500 people. It was a dream come true. I only started dancing when I was 19. You should start at 11 or 12. What I did was, on paper, insane and took a huge amount of effort, but I did it and proved the impossible is possible, which is what I am still doing with my life.

Wasn’t it a bit of a leap from there to eco warrior?

It was a fall rather than a leap! I was performing in William Tell, doing a swallow dive on a guy’s shoulders… another was supposed to catch me but he caught my feet and my head hit the deck from 12 feet with no protection and my hands spread out in a swallow dive. It was quite a miracle I survived.

You were out of action for a bit… Next stop: the Brazilian Rain Forest?

I spent time with the Yanomami. There were six million of them when our so-called civilisation arrived. Now there’s less than 600,000. And our oil industry, our mining, our soya, our beef industry (which uses soya feed) is taking that land at this moment. We’re totally complicit.

What next?

The most important thing was to green my lifestyle. Hopefully, I have spread the word through this and my media and consultancy work. Something like 100 million people have seen my house on TV around the world (see main story).

What do you think of the Irish grants (opposite)?

Insulating cavity walls, lofts and efficient heating control systems have short payback periods, so taking advantage of these grants are a financial no-brainer. Solid wall insulation has a much longer payback and so doing this is more about environmental payback than financial. If you have the roof-space, solar electric installation makes better financial return than solar hotwater, as hot-water can now also be provided by EV systems.

What was your biggest sacrifice as environmentalist?

As critic for a top ballet magazine I was invited to festivals around the world, but extensive flying wasn’t compatible with my values so I stopped. I could have toured the world for free staying in the best hotels.

Why take to the streets?

XR was inspired by Ghandi. It’s a peaceful action movement. Having 1,000 people willing to be arrested peacefully is historic. It has given a little hope that the world might wake up to the seriousnes of the crises. Every 10 years we suddenly go, ‘Oh God, we’re destroying the planet.’ Then we go back to the economy being the top issue.

What was being arrested like?

It’s horrible. Your stomach churns. But once you’ve been arrested, many, many police said they understand what we are doing. It is their children at risk.

How much does your eco friendly lifestyle save you?

I cycle or get public transport everywhere which saves €3,000 to 4,000 a year on a car. I buy everything second hand, which saves thousands. I don’t have any bills for the house. I don’t produce rubbish and haven’t had a wheely bin since 1994.

How so?

Package-free shoppping is easy. I have reusable bags on a nail in the hall. I pop on my bike or walk around the farmer’s market. I get a reduction sometimes – they appreciate what I do for the environment and we have a friendly chat. Much nicer than a soulless supermarket.

There is huge resistence to carbon taxes in Ireland and elsewhere. How can we change that?

We need to work with the media to tell people the truth: that we have destroyed 60% of wildlife and by the time I die it will be 90%. It’s an appalling, immoral act. Yet reaching 100% renewable energy is very doable.