Thousands of young people took to the streets of Ireland today to take part in the latest global youth climate strike. It is expected that strikes will take place in over 100 countries.
These protests, kick-started by 16 year old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, are starting to gather momentum and today protests were held at Cornmarket, Belfast; the Guildhall, Derry; St Stephen’s Green Dublin; Cork City Hall and many more locations. In Dublin an estimated 10,000 gathered to protest.
Ireland continues to have a poor record on reducing its carbon emissions.
John Gibbons of An Taisce said today :
“That Ireland has used its influence at EU level to delay meaningful climate action, acting at the behest of powerful lobby groups, is a source of national embarrassment and international shame,”
Some political support was forthcoming for the strikes today.
In Derry SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said
“I commend the young people who have been mobilising to raise awareness of and inspire action against Climate Change, the biggest threat facing our planet and the biggest challenge facing mankind.”
Attending the Belfast protest Gerry Carroll MLA from People before Profit said
“Fantastic to see hundreds of students walk out of school to take a stand for urgent action on climate change today. The future is safe in the hands of this generation, time for governments to match their enthusiasm and demand for action.”
Green party MLAs Steven Agnew and Clare Bailey wrote to post-primary schools in North Down and South Belfast encouraging them to allow pupils to participate in the strike. Steven Agnew said
“These young people will suffer the greatest effects of climate breakdown.
“They are demanding action on climate action and we’re urging schools to support them on taking a stand.”
Speaking in the European Parliament this week Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan said
“Greta Thunberg was blocked from addressing this Parliament because she speaks truth to power. That truth is that we are failing on climate change. Failing to take the bold steps that are required. Failing to lead.”
It has been refreshing to see this global movement grow further with the protests today. Especially after a week that has been so depressing in many ways. However it still feels like we have some way to go before our politicians firstly ‘get it’, and secondly start to put in place plans and policy proposals that will radically reduce this island’s carbon emissions.
We only have 12 years to limit the amount of climate change catastrophe that the young people protesting today will have to face in their adult lives. In Derry earlier this week we were reminded of how climate change is already bringing destruction to many communities in Derry and Strabane district and how this is set to worsen in the years ahead.
Therefore it is particularly concerning that there wasn’t a stronger turnout of political representatives from all political parties today in support of the protests in Derry and Belfast. However I remain optimistic. This movement is growing rapidly and as the protests continue I’m sure we will see more young people taking part and more of our politicians alongside them.
Twitter : @daithimckay
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