Cutting emissions: Hairdressers & barbers will be trained to talk about climate with customers – ‘Can I get a cut, blow-dry, and a crash course in climate, please?’

That could be the request in salons across the country under a scheme that aims to train hairdressers and barbers to get conversations going about one of the most hair-raising issues facing humanity.

‘A Brush With Climate’ is inspired by a movement that started in Sydney, Australia when a salon owner looked to see how to use their renowned conversational skills to get chats going about solutions to the climate crisis.

Four towns are to be chosen under the pilot scheme with local hairdressers and barbers invited to become involved.

University College Cork is overseeing the project and Dr Maria Kirrane of the university’s office of sustainability said the idea was to tap into places where chat flowed naturally.

“Hairdressers and barbers not only provide a service for people, they are a real hub for conversation and social spaces within a community,” Dr Kirrane said.

“Their reach is broad and gives the possibility of reaching a cohort of people that may not be involved in local environmental groups and the usual pathways of climate conversation and action.

“The relationship between client and hairdresser is a deeply personal and trusting one.”

UCC is also trusting the professionals to say how best the scheme should work in their own salons.

So over the next couple of months there will be workshops to decide what kind of approach is best.

The idea is not to scare off a client who just wants to enjoy a bit of banter and gossip with their hairdo while at the same time providing an outlet for those curious and concerned about climate to get information and advice.

The participants will also practice how to counteract some of the myths and misunderstandings that people have about climate change and how to help turn negative attitudes into positive action.

Information about local initiatives and national schemes will also be part of the training pack brought to the job.

The Australian initiative led to the creation of the Sustainable Salons network and website that offers lots of tips and training materials on how to steer conversations from celebrities to sustainability when the opportunity arises.

The Brush With Climate scheme is being supported by a €63,000 grant from the Research Ireland Discover Programme funded by the Department of Education.