Locals called to take part in Global Day of Action For Climate Justice

Anti fracking community group Love Leitrim are calling on people to support the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice which takes place this Saturday December 9th. In Dublin there will be a march from Grand Canal Dock (Bord Gáis Theatre) leaving at 1pm and making its way to the Jim Larkin statue at the GPO on O'Connell Street. The march is being organised by the Climate Justice Coalition which is supported by a range of groups including Extinction Rebellion, United Against Racism, Fridays for Future and many others, The event is planned to coincide with the ongoing COP 28 that is currently taking place in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. It also comes against the backdrop of 2023 having been declared the hottest year since records began by the European Union's climate monitor. At the COP28 in Dubai, UN climate chief Simon Stiell accused nations of “posturing”, and said negotiators should aim high and agree on a way to end the “fossil fuel era as we know it”

Those organising the march are calling for urgent action to be taken to tackle the climate emergency and to drastically reduce our dependence on fossil fuels which contributes hugley to extreme weather events, rising temperatures as well as unprecedented biodiversity loss on a global scale. The Climate Justice Coalition also draws attention to the fact that there is a continuous expansion of data centres in Ireland which in 2022 accounted for 18% of Ireland energy consumption while also in 2022 five energy companies in Ireland made combined profits of 280 million euro.  They make the point that this is taking place while many householders struggle with high energy and fuel prices and a cost of living crisis. The coalition also seeks to highlight the fact that it is often the poorest and most marginalised communities that have done the least to cause the climate crisis that also suffer its worst effects. 

Love Leitrim chairperson Jamie Murphy said "The news that 2023 is going to be the hottest since records began should be a stark reminder of the crisis that the world is facing. If we are to have any hope of a livable future urgent action needs to be taken on a local, national and international level. We have gone beyond a crisis point. The time for talking is over. For the sake of this and future generations we need action. In Ireland communities have to continue to oppose destructive, carbon heavy industries like gold mining and also make sure that no new fossil fuel infrastructure is developed that will only increase and prolong our dependency on dirty energy. The recent announcement by the government that they intend to develop a Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) is a huge cause for concern. We would encourage as many people as possible to join the march on Dublin on December 9th"