TIME TO PULL TOGETHER FOR CLIMATE ACTION
THE greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.
That was the stark message delivered at a Climate Action Discussion in Wexford Library last Thursday evening. Part of the Wexford Science Festival, this event saw three experts on this topic discuss ways in which we, the general public, can make a difference and ensure our children and their children have a planet to live in.
The first person to take to the stage was Dr Cara Augustenborg. Named one of the 20 most influential people to lead the low carbon transition in Ireland, Dr Augustenborg has also been appointed to the advisory councils of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Dialogue for Climate Action by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
The Irish-American environmental scientist began her talk by recounting her ‘Aha moment’, the incident which made her realise the planet was in serious danger and something needed to be done.
‘My ‘Aha moment’ came in 2008 when I went to the Alaskan Arctic and met the Inupiats. I saw how the melting ice caps were affecting their livelihood and making it difficult for them and realised that because of this their whole culture would cease to exist and found it very poignant. And that was 11 years ago,’ said Dr Augustenborg.
Pointing out that carbon tax in this country is still one-tenth of what it should be, the native of Washington State then debunked the theory the biggest contributors to carbon emissions aren’t doing their bit for the environment.
‘People say “why should we change when China isn’t”? But China installed more solar panels than the rest of the world combined last year. Ireland reduced its carbon footprint by 0.2% last year and by 1% in the past 20 years. We should be aiming for 5-7% per year.’
But what can we do?
‘Have on less child, live car free, have a plantbased diet, avoid long-distance, unnecessary flights, use an electric car,’ suggested Dr Augustenborg before adding that, even by doing this, we still won’t be able to get our individual carbon footprint below seven tonnes.
‘Individual change is great, but systematic change is what’s really required, we need new leadership and big changes at the top,’ she said.
Dr Augustenborg was followed onstage by Dr Jonathan Derham of the EPA.
Entitled ‘Mind the Gap’, Dr Derham’s presentation further examined ways in which we, the individual, can improve our environment.
‘Open fires should be banned in all new builds, they not only harm our health they harm our children’s health too. Most of that heat goes up the chimney and pollutes our neighbous as well.
We are chronically exposed to chemicals in our homes and workplaces,’ said Dr Derham.
This statement subsequently drew some criticism from those in the audience, with one commentator citing the case of peat farmers in the West of Ireland who had burned fires all their lives and suffered no ill-effects.
Dr Derham then discussed the difficulties he and his colleagues face in communicating their messages in the modern environment, with everything from ‘eco-fatigure’ to ‘eco-anxiety’ preventing their voices from being heard.
Another issue, according to Dr Derham, is our loss of connection with the earth around here.
‘We’ve lost connection with the land, we don’t get our hands in the soil anymore, people say go hug a tree, but that might actually be a good idea,’ he said. ‘And we’ve also lost connection with each other, lost our sense of community, we can only truly address climate change by acting as a community.’
Dr Derham concluded his presentation with a quote from Robert Swan: ‘The greatest threat to our planet is the belief someone else will save it,’ adding, in his own words, that when it comes to climate change, ‘the magic fairy doesn’t exist.’
The last speaker on the night was Dr Karl Richards, Head of Environment, Soils and LandUse Research Department in Teagasc.
Dr Richards focused specifically on the farming sectors and discussed ways in which small producers could lower their emissions and produce less carbon. And he said that farmers, just like everyone else, are fully cognisant of climate change and eager to make the necessary changes.
‘Farmers are surrounded by accusations but they’re also asking “how can I do my bit”? Our agri system is one of the most efficient in Europe, but if there is a demand for a crop in this country then farmers must grow it. The eocnomics are driving where farming is going.’
Adding that Teagasc currently had 300 advisors travelling the length and breadth of the country, providing advice and assistance to help farmers lower their emissions, Dr Richards admitted that, for some, it was difficult to move with the times.
‘People ask why farmers keep animals which aren’t profitable? It’s because they love animals,’ he said. ‘A lot of these farmers are aged 60 or over, they don’t have an heir, they’re reluctant to let these farms go. And when they’re advised to plant trees on their land they will say “I’m a farmer not a forester”.’
‘Many farmers feel they are under attack, they are almost crying when you talk to them: “I thought I was producing a product people want and yet I’m the villain” they will say. We’re an island nation, we need to pull together and look at ways of compensating the person who owns that land to produce what they want to produce,’ Dr Richards concluded.