Sir, – Dr Ciara Murphy (Letters, March 2nd) makes the point that we consistently fail to match our stated emissions targets with actual reductions. This is despite the leaders of our largest political parties consistently stating how important climate action is.
We have to assume that these pronouncements are made in good faith, but the stark lack of results does require an explanation.
The simplest one is that at a local level, where many changes have to be actually implemented, members of those same parties frequently oppose even the quickest and easiest measures.
To paraphrase the old expression, “All climate action is local”. But until politicians feel the same pressure to support climate action in their own local areas (as opposed to “I’m all in favour as long as it’s somewhere else”), then we’re extremely unlikely to make a significant dent in our already high emissions. – Yours, etc,
DAVE
MATHIESON,
Salthill,
Galway.