Hundreds take part in climate action march in Dublin
James Cox
Bad weather was no deterrent for hundreds of people who took to the streets of Dublin to call on the Government to "put people and nature before big polluters" in today’s national climate march.
The march, which was part of a global day of action for climate justice, to coincide with the COP30 World Climate Negotiations in Brazil, was organised by the Stop Climate Chaos coalition and supported by Friends of the Earth and a wide range of civil society organisations, trade unions and community groups.
There were strong calls for Government action on climate that addresses inequality, stands up to big polluters and improves the wellbeing and living standards of people and communities.
Speaking at the march, Deirdre Duffy, chief executive of Friends of the Earth said: “People showed up in their thousands today to show the government that climate justice is their highest political priority. Young and old from all backgrounds including grassroots groups from across the country, we flocked to Dublin today to call for action. People and planet must come before the profits of polluters.
“The call for climate justice has been loud and clear - people want to see climate action that results in healthier, connected communities, whose wellbeing and health is prioritised ahead of corporate profit.
“We all deserve to have good quality homes that don’t break the bank to heat, to have healthy air to breathe, to have access to reliable public transport that lets us move around freely."
Ms Duffy added: “But the Government is failing us on these basic needs and instead letting big polluters run riot. It’s letting data centres guzzle up energy and water resources that homes and public services need. It’s saying that it wants new gas infrastructure at a time when we need to get off fossil fuels. All of this is a recipe for driving up energy bills for ordinary people, not to mention adding fuel to the fire of climate breakdown.
“This government can’t have its cake and eat it. They can’t let polluters like data centre and gas companies do as they please while ordinary people pick up the cost.
"Today’s march has shown that people want change. From securing warm, well insulated, homes for all, to ensuring that the people hit hardest by extreme climate impacts are protected, there is clearly huge appetite to create a better, fairer, cleaner and more equal world. I hope the Government takes heed, listens to the people and starts to act.”
Today’s climate march and rally was endorsed by 59 organisations and groups, including Friends of the Earth, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Trócaire, Oxfam, SIPTU and the National Women’s Council.
Speakers at the rally included Katie Morgan, vice president of Fórsa, Thomas Morelli from Stop Shannon LNG and Grecia Eugenia Rodríguez Navarro, a Mexican human rights defender.
Music at the event included performances from the activist singing group “Singing for Change” and musician Danny Groenland with accompanying artists.
