Let's make Friday a Friday for the Future

Our politicians have declared a climate and biodiversity emergency. Now we have to get them to act like it.

This Friday we have the levers of power.

1) You can support the second global school strike.

2) You can #voteclimate and #votenature in the European Parliament elections.

One out, all out

On March 15th, over 1.6 million people across the world took part in the first global school strike for climate in over 120 countries, with at least 15,000 in Ireland, and the next Global Climate Strike is this Friday 24th May.

School students all across the country have been working together to determine the routes of marches and locations of rallies, the demands to government and the asks to the public - and they have asked the rest of us to stand with them.

There are marches and rallies acorss the country. Find your nearest one on this global map or on the fliers below.

The Dublin rally is at 1.30pm on Merrion Square South. Access through Merrion Square (e.g. the gates near Oscar Wilde corner) and via Baggott St and Fitzwilliam St (see below).

For the latest information keep an eye on:

Schools Climate Action Network
>>> Twitter feed
>>> Facebook page

Fridays for Future
>>> Twitter feed
>>> Facebook page

#voteclimate and #votenature

MEPs have a really significant on climate and nature policy and practice around Europe. Most polices you can think of to increase renewable energy or reduce plastic or protect water quality, or restore habitats for birds, all orginated on a European level. What political groupings are largest in the next parliament will make a real difference. Fintan O'Toole analysed the performances of the groups Irish MEPs belong to in the Irish Times yesterday, based on research carried out by the Climate Action Network.

If we are to stand a chance of leaving a liveable planet for the next generation we need to get out of fossil fuels as fast as possible. We're asking MEP candidates to take a fossil free future pledge.

You can see which candidates in your area have signed up here.

Protecting nature and wildlife is just as important as cutting climate pollution as we face an extinction emergency too. BirdWatch has analysed the EU manifestoes of the Irish parties for their policies on nature and climate. Their analysis is here.

And the Environmental Pillar held hustings for MEP candidates in all 3 constituencies: South; Midlands North-West; and Dublin. You can watch them all here.

We know now our politicians don't lead, they follow. You lead.

Let's make this Friday count. We know politicians are paying attention to climate change like never before.

Let's strike while the iron is hot.

Lead on,

Oisin

P.S. It really is worth taking 2 minutes to email your local MEP candidates. They will wield as much power over Irish climate policy than most TDs and even Ministers.