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Sir, – Further to “Dublin to net €15m windfall from Uefa Europa League football final” (Business, May 18th), I think this is a good illustration of the “double think” surrounding the climate emergency. The two teams involved are based in places (Milan and Bavaria) approximately 400 miles apart, yet both teams are travelling about 1,000 miles, to Dublin, to play their final.
There will be at least a total of 50,000 football fans travelling here to support their teams. This amounts to 100,000 flights over an average distance of about 1,000 miles. That equates to a carbon footprint of at least 28,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere by these flights. If the teams were to play their final somewhere close to their home bases the carbon cost would be a tiny fraction of that.
So, if Dublin is to receive a “windfall” €15 million in tourist revenue arising from this game, it will be at a very significant cost to the planet. I don’t think this is worth it.
It is also disquieting to see on the previous page of the edition a headline which states “Threat of private business aircraft ‘ban’ at Dublin Airport is lifted” (Business, May 18th). – Yours, etc,
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PAUL O’SHEA,
Shankill,
Dublin 18.