Quite a week ... and a Saturday treat

It's been a big week for climate campaigning, and it's not over yet. There's two things I thought you'd like to hear about directly from us.

Action Plan?

The Government published it's first action plan on climate pollution for 10 years on Wednesday, and Friends of the Earth was central to the reaction.

On the plus side the Taoiseach acknowledged in his Foreword that climate action will require a "societal transformation" but the plan does nowhere near enough to kickstart that transformation. In our press release we described as "more of an action promise than an action plan".

I was on Morning Ireland do discuss the plan (listen back here). We featured in the headlines of the RTE Six One and Nine News. Watch here: the report starts at 5 minutes. I was on Newstalk Drive, click the link in this report to hear the interview. The Irish Times had extensive coverage and their the Environment and Science Editor ended his analysis by agreeing with ours:

It’s hard to disagree with his verdict that the document is honest about the scale of the challenge that Ireland faces, and about our lack of progress so far, but simply doesn’t commit to enough new actions to reduce emissions decisively.

So now it's back to us as citizens to raise our voices for decisive action. And you can start today.

Dinner with Darwin in Dartmouth Square Dublin

The Citizens' Assembly is asking all if us what we think the Government should actually do. And the Stop Climate Chaos coalition is kickstarting its push for the public participation with a fantastic family-friendly Climate Fest in Dartmouth Square in Dublin this evening.

The fun begins at 5:30pm with the beginning of ClimateFest and an outdoor yoga class! Our interactive exhibition creatively explores what can be done in Ireland to tackle climate change. Take a selfie in the 'divestasaurus' costume at the Divestment area, don a sun costume and race your pals at our 'Run on Sun/Solar' area, and use the energy created while cycling a stationary bicycle to make yourself a smoothie in the Transport area! Finish off at the Tree of Earth Love, where you can write a personal message to the members of the Citizens' Assembly, telling them how you want to see Ireland tackle climate change.

Then why not treat yourself to a bite to eat from the Happy Pear, before settling yourself on the grass to listen to a panel of speakers at 8.45pm, including Chris Darwin (great great grandson of Charles), discuss what is being done and what can be done to prevent runaway climate change.

All that before the sun sets and Wall-E begins at about 9.30. He is the last robot left on Earth, who spends his days tidying up the planet, one piece of rubbish at a time. Wall-E is a fun movie for all the family, but not without a subtle message. Wall-E reminds us of the need to rethink our own consumption before it's too late.

You can buy your tickets online here or make minimum €5 donation at the gate. Click 'Going' on the facebook event page to be kept notified of any updates.

I'll be there with my family, and if you live within striking distance of Dublin please do come along.

Best,
Oisin Coghlan
Director
Friends of the Earth