Dublin South West TD Sean Crowe has said that the Government needs to act immediately in response to the latest report on global climate change. Crowe said that meaningless words and promises had exacerbated the situation and that time was not on the rhetoric side on this issue,

An Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has painted a stark picture of the future unless urgent action is taken to reduce carbon emissions to zero by the end of this century.

Deputy Seán Crowe said;

“This  international expert opinion has started the clock regarding the mounting disaster that  awaits our planet unless something substantial is done to drastically reduce the levels of CO2 emissions, to zero by 2100. That will entail massive growth in the generation of energy from renewable sources, to 80% by 2050.

“Ireland has significant natural advantages in that regard but much more needs to be done in order to fulfil that potential, particularly from sources such as wind and tidal which are still at an early stage of development but in which this country enjoys an abundance of natural advantages.

“The report emphasised the need to immediately publish and bring forward the long promised Climate Change legislation. That legislation needs to include binding targets as recommended by the all-party Environment Committee, rather than the vague commitments so far signalled by the current government.

“Meaningless words and promises from Government’s have exacerbated this situation.

“Worn out formulas of well meaning words at conferences abroad while looking for derogations from action at home will not  solve this pending crisis. Action, not empty promises are needed if this crisis facing the people on this  planet is be averted.”