Extinction Rebellion talk on climate change in Nenagh
Extinction Rebellion Ireland hosted a free public talk in Cloughjordan last week and will do the same in Nenagh on March 11th to highlight the impact of climate change and what can be done about it.
This is part of a national direct action campaign to force the Government to act urgently on climate change.
Thirty-five people turned up on February 20th in the Thomas MacDonagh Centre in Cloughjordan for the talk, titled 'Headed for extinction and what to do about it'. This talk discussed impacts climate change will have locally, nationally and globally, now and into the future.
The talk is aimed at raising awareness among the local public, and particularly families with young children, on the impacts that climate change will have on them and their families in the years to come. We are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction event this planet has experienced (Ceballos, 2015). Scientists believe we have entered a period of abrupt climate breakdown, which is an unprecedented global emergency. Also discussed, is a radical new direct action-based approach to climate change campaigning.
The grassroots organisation, Extinction Rebellion, organised a funeral for humanity in Dublin last Sunday, March 3rd, World Wildlife Day, at 1pm. This is to highlight the Government's failure to recognise and act on the ecological and climate emergency. People gathered at the Spire on O'Connell St and marched on the streets carrying a coffin with “humanity’s future” written on it.
Patrick O'Connor, who gave the talk in Cloughjordan and will give it again in Nenagh next Monday, said he was very encouraged by the turnout for the talk in Cloughjordan. “I don’t think Ireland has ever been as ready as it is now to discuss the climate emergency,” he said. “The IPCC reported that we have 10-12 years to make serious changes or it is maybe too late. These talks are of importance to everyone whether climate change is something they have given thought to before or not.”
The next public talk is taking place in Nenagh Arts Centre on Monday March 11th from 7-8.15pm and is free of charge. Please keep in mind that some material may be upsetting. For this reason, the recommended audience is for over 15 years, though younger teens are welcome with parental permission.