Sir, – Signing up to “net zero” means completely decarbonising every sector of our economy. That means radical change in how we live our lives and organise our society. Not approving a temporary cycleway, three kilometres long, is one more example of the depressing national legacy of saying one thing and doing exactly the opposite, with everyone complicit in the knowledge of what is actually going on.
A more positive element of Irish culture is its ability to recast and reimagine itself in the light of new challenges. We need to use our key strengths of imagination, creativity, and courage to forge a sustainable future.
We need to first imagine and then create cities, towns and villages with affordable housing replacing dereliction, and without cars – except for people who cannot walk. Cities, towns and villages that celebrate people and attract visitors and workers from across the globe – to work, to play, to eat, to breath unpolluted air, to create, to raise their families.
A culture that incentivises multinational corporations not with tax cuts but with a highly educated workforce, affordable housing and health, and a rich hinterland of freshwater rivers, oceans, woodlands, bogs and trees.
Time to shrug of the shackles of hypocrisy and act decisively. – Yours, etc,
CATHERINE CONLON,
Ballintemple,
Cork.