Press Release: Environment 3 November 2006

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Greens see red on climate change 

- Party calls for Government action before it's too late

The Green Party highlighted the dangers of climate change today as part of a Global Climate Change Campaign organised to coincide with UN climate talks starting in Nairobi next week. The Party held a thermometer representation outside the ENFO offices in Dublin showing the effects that a slight change in global temperatures will have on the world.

Green Party Energy spokesperson Eamon Ryan TDsays that 150,000 people are already dying from climate change across the world every year and Irelandcould see drastic changes, in the near future, unless action is taken now.  

Deputy Ryan said: "Last month, temperatures here were between one and two degrees above average, which is now becoming a standard pattern. In Ireland, we tend to see such increases in a positive light but scientists have clearly shown the future perils of climate change unless we take immediate measures to turn down the heat.  

"We are already close to a one degree increase in global temperatures and the Sahel region in Africa is suffering serious drought. Coral reefs are being devastated and weather events are becoming more extreme. At a two degree increase mountain glaciers in the Andes and the Himalayas will start to dry up leaving hundreds of people without vital water supplies. 

"Even before a three degree increase we risk triggering 'feedback' loops such as the melting of tundra fields in Siberia and the die-off of the Amazon rainforest, both of which would release massive quantities of greenhouse gases. Climate change would become a runaway phenomenon pushing a large percentage of living species into extinction.  

"At four degrees the melting of the Greenlandor Western Antarctic ice sheets could raise sea levels by forty feet, flooding Cork city centre and large tracts of Dublin. By a five degree increase crop failure would become a worldwide phenomenon threatening our very survival." 

Green Party Environment spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD said: "Saving the planet means that radical changes in Government Policy are required. Making changes now will be good for the economy but ignoring climate change will cost us dearly in the long run. The heat is on, and now is the time for the Irish Government to act. If the Coalition is not up to the task, then the Green Party is."  

The Green Party has called on Government to implement the following measures:  

Build on the success of Luas:

The Minister for Transport Martin Cullen TD should finance additional rail lines and better bus services by scaling back motorway projects.  

Stop the sprawl

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Dick Roche TD needs to set higher building standards and change our planning culture to prevent unsustainable urban sprawl.  

Promote efficiency and renewable energy

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey TD needs to stop the building of new fossil fuel plants and rely instead on a new energy efficiency and renewables programme.  

Innovate in agriculture

The Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan TD can promote less intensive agriculture and promote forestry which can provide both a carbon sink and a new low carbon fuel supply.