Book Offer
This will close in 10 seconds
Green Party TD Ossian Smyth has said that Covid-19 has proven the public are willing to make “dramatic” lifestyle changes to avert perceived crises, which could also extend to their behaviour on climate change.
The remarks were made by the Dun Laoghaire TD last week during a Dáil debate.
Ossian Smyth, Green Party, on how the ability of the government to manipulate people into making massive changes to their lives using fear of covid can be seen as a model for how similar changes can be imposed in the name of climate action. pic.twitter.com/p7C4wreOMW
— JRD (@JRD0000) November 4, 2021
“On bringing people with us, I am not deluded and I do not think the Government and the Dáil can just impose things on people,” he said.
“We rule with the consent of the public and we cannot make changes that people do not feel are fair and reasonable.”
However, he added that “People will make huge changes, as we saw in the pandemic.”
“They can alter their lives if they understand that it is essential to do so to protect each other or for society as a whole,” he said.
“I am heartened that those changes are possible. If people could make such sudden and dramatic changes to their lifestyle to protect the elder generations, I believe they will do the same to protect their grandchildren and their children in the future. They can make those changes, even if the immediate risk and the number of people dying is not going to be reported on tomorrow’s news.”
While not stated by Smyth, some have speculated about the possibility of a “climate lockdown” in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Earlier this year, Nature Climate Change published a study which found that the world would need the equivalent of a Covid lockdown every 2 years to meet its Paris Accord carbon goals.
Report: World Needs Equivalent Of Pandemic Lockdown Every Two Years To Meet Paris Carbon Emission Goals https://t.co/eCD0VGSHci pic.twitter.com/vBO40bwwxA
— Forbes (@Forbes) March 3, 2021
Last week, as the government announced its Climate Action Plan, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said “bigger systems change” was needed to fight climate change.
“Before the pandemic, I used to say it would take everyone staying at home for a year to meet our emissions targets,” said Varadkar.
“We did that, some of us have been staying at home for two years, and we haven’t made them. That tells us bigger systems change is needed.”
Leo Varadkar: Before the pandemic I used to say it would take everyone staying at home for a year to meet our emissions targets… we did that, some of us have been staying at home for two years, and we haven't made them. That tells us bigger systems change is needed
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) November 4, 2021
A recent Irish Times poll found that 82% of Irish voters oppose most measures to reduce carbon emissions, such as carbon tax.
Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll suggests major political obstacles for Government in meeting climate obligations https://t.co/81qFTPtU51
— The Irish Times (@IrishTimes) October 8, 2021
This will close in 10 seconds