Love Kyoto

Press Release 13 February 2005

Young Greens launch ‘I Love Kyoto’ postcard campaign for St Valentine’s Day

On the eve of St. Valentine’s Day, the Young Greens/Óige Ghlas are launching their nationwide ‘I love Kyoto’ campaign to raise awareness about the Kyoto Protocol which comes into effect this Wednesday 16 February.

The Young Greens are calling on Dick Roche, Minister for the Environment, to cut carbon emissions in Ireland, by introducing a carbon tax, promoting wind energy and reducing car dependency through investment in public transport.

Ireland is currently on course to significantly overshoot its allocated quota of carbon emissions with the result that the Irish taxpayer will be hit with millions of euros in penalties.

Molly Walsh, National Deputy Chair of the Young Greens said today that, “Having been ratified by the Russian Federation, the Kyoto Protocol will come into effect across the globe on 16 February. The Kyoto Protocol has the potential to significantly reduce the world’s carbon emissions levels and thus help prevent the looming global warming crisis. It is a moment to celebrate.”

“Unfortunately though, it is a case of very little done and a lot more to do as far as the Irish Government is concerned. The time to act is now, not later. We are therefore calling on the Government to play its part in the fight against global warming through actively reducing our carbon emissions.”

Pat Barrett, National Chair of the Young Greens/Óige Ghlas said that, “Climate change is considered to be the biggest threat facing the world in the 21st century. As a Young Green in Ireland I find it shocking that our Government has still not realised that the environment is an absolute priority in this century. We ignore the reality of climate change at our peril.”

“The Government should not be attempting to buy its way out of our Kyoto Protocol commitments. Instead we are calling on Minister Dick Roche and the Irish Government to take action and introduce a carbon tax, promote wind energy and reduce car dependency through investment in public transport.”

Ciarán Cuffe TD Green Party spokesperson for the Environment, said that, “Climate change has become a reality. Dick Roche must take action now to address Ireland’s appalling record in tackling this issue.”

Note
Young Greens will be handing out Kyoto Protocol Postcards (wording below) on the streets of Galway, Dublin and Cork on Monday.

Wording of postcard follows:

Dear Dick,

On 16 February the Kyoto Protocol will be ratified. Ireland is presently on course to significantly overshoot its allocated quote of carbon emissions. This leaves the Irish taxpayers open to millions of Euros in penalties.

Here are three policies the government must adopt in order for Ireland to cut its emissions:

1: Introduce a Carbon Tax so the polluter really does pay.

2: Support Wind Energy

3: Reduce car dependency through major investment in public transport.

Yours, etc.

Ciarán Cuffe is a TD for the Dún Laoghaire Dáil Constituency. Ciarán can be contacted at Dáil Éireann, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 or 96 Patrick Street, Dún Laoghaire Tel. 284 6060 or 618 3082, Fax 618 4341, Email Ciaran CiaranCuffe.com, or Text Ciaran on 087 265 2075.