'Heatwave last week, drenched in rain today': Climate activists take to the streets of Cork

CLIMATE justice activists took to the streets of Cork city on Friday despite the downpouring of rain to take part in a youth-led Fridays For Future protest.

Akshita Gupta, who became involved in Fridays for Future - a youth-led and youth-organised global climate strike movement - through her work as a member of Comhairle na nÓg youth council in Cork city, described the protest as “really successful”.

Despite the rain, the protest was well attended by young people, including primary school pupils, a climate officer from Cork City Councilor, local political representatives and representatives from University College Cork (UCC) Students Union.

Speakers at the protest included Akshita Gupta, Eva Bresnihan, Sinéad Kelliher, Derbhla Richardson, and Leonida Coughlan.

“This was a global climate strike so it was happening in Dublin as well and in other parts of the world. Particularly today [Friday] was about ending the era of fossil fuels,” she said.

“Our demand from the strike is to end the era of fossil fuels in a way that is possible and realistic.

“It still remains to be the root cause of many catastrophes that humanity faces in the current world.

“We demand massive investment from the local and national government in renewable energy projects as well.

“My main message is that if you look around you, we experienced a heatwave last week and today [Friday] Cork is drenched in heavy rain.

“In Ireland’s recorded history, this is the fourth time only that Ireland has ever experienced a heatwave in September and more than half of Met Éireann’s weather stations have broken the temperature records for September this year.” 

She said more than words are needed to solve the crisis and called on local TDs, Cork City Council, and the Tánaiste and Taoiseach to engage.

Speaking to The Echo following the protest, Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy said: “One of my priorities so far has been meeting members of Comhairle na nÓg.

“I’m trying to connect the youth council to the work of the City Council a lot more. I think there’s a bridge there that needs to be built so they don’t feel isolated and so they feel there is a way for their voice to be heard around policy-making in City Hall.

“City Hall is trying to be climate neutral by 2030 but we need partnerships with everyone and I have to say Comhairle na nÓg is also very important and that’s something that I’ve been working on and they will be working closely with my office over the next few months on different projects.”