The government must move from climate rhetoric to climate action
Today’s landmark report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a stark reminder that time is running out to avert a climate catastrophe, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore.
“The IPCC report is a stark reminder that time is running out to avert a climate catastrophe. The challenge we face is immense and the time to act is now.
“We are already seeing first-hand what failure to act will mean as we watch fires and floods rage across Europe this summer. This report is clear – climate change is already affecting every region on earth, in multiple ways. There is nowhere to hide from the devastating consequences of climate change.
“In 2018, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar described Ireland as a climate “laggard” and said we needed to do much more to tackle climate change. Despite this admission, little has changed in the intervening period. Most recently, we failed to meet our 2020 emission reduction targets.
“The government has cited its Climate Action Act as evidence that it is finally determined to act. Among the most immediate targets, is a commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 51pc by 2030. But, we are still in the dark about how the government proposes to do this. Its forthcoming Climate Action Plan, due to be published shortly, must provide a comprehensive and credible roadmap to reach this target.
“The government must move from climate rhetoric to climate action. There is an urgency now in implementing measures that will see profound, prolonged and sustained reductions in our carbon emissions. Time is running out and failure is not an option.”
9 August, 2021
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