A number of young people and members of Foróige in Mayo spoke out on the climate crisis directly to policy-makers recently and engaged in discussion with TDs and Senators on a range of topics relating to environment and climate action - during a sitting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action chaired by Committee Chairperson, Brian Leddin TD.
The meeting On Friday June 3, also heard from young people from Comhairle na nÓg, prior to contributions from members of the Joint Committee. The meeting of the Committee was held in the Seanad Chamber with 30 youth representatives from Foróige and Comhairle na nÓg in attendance.
One of the young Mayo speakers, Maude Cullen-Mouze, 17, from Clare Island, outlined to the Chamber her experience as a young person growing up on an island with 150 inhabitants.
Maude said: "As islanders, we all have an acute awareness of the weather. We are almost completely reliant on ferries for getting on and off our islands. Islanders intending to travel anxiously pore over weather charts, and for important appointments, going to the mainland the day before is the best course of action.
"Atlantic storms are simply part of life on the Atlantic coast. But the storms are becoming more frequent and intense, as noted by older island residents. Clare Island along with Inis Oírr is one of the few islands that doesn’t have a safe all-weather pier and I’ve seen weeks pass without a single ferry running on time to the scheduled pier. Everything and everyone that leaves or enters the island has to do so by boat with the exception of medical emergencies; when boats are disrupted, our entire lives are disrupted.
"It is important to note that the problems facing small islands now will not remain confined to small islands. Ireland, is after all, an island nation and a rather small one.
"Small islands such as Clare Island are but microcosms in the macrocosm that is Ireland. As a nation, we too must import everything that we do not produce ourselves by air or sea. The emissions from flying in produce - are not compatible with the carbon neutral economy Ireland intends to become.
"The consequences of inaction are far-reaching and dire, not just in Ireland but all over the world. It has often been said that it doesn't matter what Ireland does as we are such a small country and fingers are pointed at larger nations. This, however, is blatantly false. Every fraction of a degree of warming, every centimetre of sea level rise and every tonne of CO2, matters. Ireland can and must lead by example and take our place as a climate leader, not a climate laggard."
Sarah Aitken, 16 from Foróige in Bohola, also addressed the Committee, saying: "As a young person, I feel there is a lack of available information and understanding about the Irish recycling system.
"Many people are not aware that 36% of recycling is contaminated because people are using the wrong bins, or that much of our waste in Ireland is actually incinerated. I believe that in Ireland there may be a lack of understanding and awareness about the process of recycling, and feel that if people saw the many benefits from their recycling efforts, they would be more inclined to participate.
"Even small changes can make a big difference. We are great at spreading awareness and encouraging others in our lives, schools and communities to change their habits too! Many people feel that climate change is a far away issue. It is not. However, individuals can only do so much."
