Press Releases24 Feb 15

‘We Have To Climate Change–proof Society,’ Prof John Sweeney Says At Inter–church Climate Justice Event

Prof John Sweeney (back row, third from right) of NUI Maynooth and Canon Stewart Wright (back row, furthest left) pictured with members of Derry and Raphoe Peace and Justice Group and the Eco–Congregation Ireland committee

It is imperative that steps are taken to ‘climate–proof’ society, Prof John Sweeney of NUI Maynooth said at a recent inter–church climate justice event held in Letterkenny Regional Cultural Centre, Donegal. The event, which drew a crowd of more than 80 people from different churches, was co–hosted by Eco–Congregation Ireland and Raphoe Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Group.

Prof Sweeney, who is widely recognised as Ireland’s leading climate scientist, said the clock was ticking when it came to climate change: “We have to climate change–proof society for the years ahead,” he said. “It won’t cost the earth to do it; it will cost the earth not to do it.”

He said that many parts of the developing world were already experiencing climate change and that the people already suffering from the consequences of climate change were those who have least contributed to carbon emissions. He said it was vital that Ireland came to terms with its contribution to carbon emissions, given that we produce more greenhouse gases than the 400 million poorest people on earth.

Describing as ‘crucial’ the COP21 climate talks that will take place in Paris in December, Prof Sweeney said he hoped an inclusive global agreement would be made at that event: “A global agreement to halt the rise of greenhouse gas emissions sometime in the next decade is essential to avoid dangerous climate change,” he said. “Limiting climate change will require substantial and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”

Following the event, Prof Sweeney said: “I greatly enjoyed the experience and was particularly pleased to learn of the ‘on the ground’ efforts being made by so many members of the two organisations. They are perhaps the pioneers of this century although they may not be appreciated for some time by the general public.”

Canon Stewart Wright, Rector of Conwal and a member of Raphoe Justice, Peace and Integrity of CreationGroup, said: “It is now confirmed that the current generation of children will pay a very heavy price for our lack of care for the environment. The church that claims to value creation will gain great credibility for implementing eco–congregation criteria at parish, diocesan and national level.  The event in Letterkenny was just the catalyst our churches need.”