The Social Democrats are backing the global Climate Strike demonstrations today, Friday 20th September, and encouraging our supporters and members of the public to take part in lunchtime protests across the country.
The party’s TDs, councillors and representatives will join student demonstrators today for what organisers expect to be the largest worldwide mobilisation for action on the climate crisis to date.
Social Democrats’ councillors have initiated or supported a series of motions for local authorities to declare climate change and biodiversity emergencies at municipal level in order to spur councils’ actions to tackle the crisis.
The most recent of these was a motion to Limerick City Council brought forward by Councillor Elisa O’Donovan on behalf of Friday for Future Limerick and the young people of the city.
Cllr O’Donovan said:
“In declaring this emergency, Limerick City Council is signalling our intention to show leadership and ambition as we seek to preserve the world as we know it for generations to come. The Council has now committed to publishing an attainable Climate and Biodiversity Action and Mitigation plan with appropriate budget and resources.”
Social Democrats Councillor and Chair of Wicklow County Council Climate Change and Biodiversity Action Strategic Policy Group, Jennifer Whitmore, said:
“I am delighted that so many other councils have followed the example of Wicklow which declared a climate and biodiversity emergency last May and is now committed to being a leader in addressing this urgent issue. It’s been very exciting seeing how engaged the young people of Wicklow have been on this, as it is their future that it will impact.”
Dublin Bay North Councillor Cian O’Callaghan, the party’s spokesperson on Energy and Climate Change said:
“Climate change is the single biggest threat to our environment, our living standards and our existence. The Social Democrats recognise this threat as a fundamental issue facing our country and our planet. Our local authorities have to play their part in tackling it and preparing for its consequences. We won’t be found wanting. Our goal as councillors is to make each local authority a leader on tackling climate change at a local level.”
ENDS
20th September 2019