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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.
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