Sir, – I read with dismay the following phrase from your report at the Cop26 conference: “Taoiseach stresses pledge is global and not national.”
If global methane emissions are to be reduced by 30 per cent, wealthy nations will need to reduce their individual outputs by at least that amount.
And Ireland is most certainly a wealthy nation within the global context. The Taoiseach’s comments display a total lack of solidarity with the climate pledge, and prepare the ground for Ireland to fall far short in our attempt to meet this target.
A 30 per cent global target requires a 30 per cent national target. Anything less means we are expecting other nations to do the work for us.
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Ireland is a small country. But this is not simply a matter of scale; it is one of responsibility. Last year we had the EU’s second highest greenhouse gas emissions per capita, behind only Luxembourg.
Let’s hope the others adopt a more proactive attitude.
– Yours, etc,
JAMES BROWNE,
Phibsborough,
Dublin 7.
Sir, – In his interview at Cop26 yesterday the Taoiseach accepted that Ireland’s emissions would increase in the short term.
He makes the basic error of assuming it’s purely a Government responsibility. In contrast David Attenborough appealed to everyone to rise to the challenge.
I suggest Micheál Martin shows leadership and asks everyone in the country to make simple changes to show we are listening. Simple changes such as drive 20 per cent less, cycle, walk, use the bus or train. Turn the heating thermostat down two degrees. Wear warmer clothes. Reduce meat and dairy consumption. Reduce the number of flights you take, grow your own vegetables.
We have done so well as a nation in the pandemic, let’s keep showing what we can achieve as a nation when we have a common goal.
– Yours, etc,
DAVID SPROTT,
Ballincollig, Cork.
Sir, – At a time when massive industries all over the globe are pumping out trillions of metric tonnes of carbon in order to manufacture countless unnecessary luxuries for our delectation, and while a substantial number of people in the world are starving, I find it curious that a primary focus of the Cop26 should be to reduce the production of food? I suggest a recalibration of values might be in order. – Yours, etc,
TOM FANTHOM,
Newcastle, Wicklow.
Sir, – Kevin O’Sullivan reports that “China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has failed to increase its commitments to address the climate crisis as demanded by other countries at the Cop26 climate summit.” (News, November 2nd).
Many Cop26 participants, contributors and commentators emphasise the power of individual consumers, and the importance of informed purchasing decisions. If we are serious about protecting our planet we need to be aware of the carbon cost in the manufacture and disposal of the goods we buy.
– Yours, etc,
EILEEN McDERMOTT,
Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6W.