'We need to do everything possible to prevent catastrophic climate chaos' says General Election candidate for Tipperary

General Election candidate for the Green Party Iva Pocock has said that it is time to climate-proof Tipperary.

“We need to do everything possible to prevent catastrophic climate chaos. This means radically cutting our carbon emissions,” said Pocock. “At the same time we need to prepare for flooding, drought and extreme weather events like we’ve seen in Valencia, Spain.”

“The Greens in Government have made a vital start on climate. We negotiated hard and stood fast against Government partners to massively increase public transport, slash fares, roll out home retrofitting and kick-start a solar rooftop and offshore wind revolution.”

READ NEXT: Tipperary election candidate posts ‘Ten Ideas for Tipp’ video series

“We are the only party who has consistently taken climate change seriously and our expertise and experience is needed in the Dail and in Government.”

“We have set out in the Climate Act and plan what needs to be done. Here in Tipp I want to see a ramp up in home retrofitting with yet more grants and promotion of the very low cost home energy upgrade loans. We need meaningful supports for EVs. We need to ensure there’s budget to get the Nenagh to Thurles to Cashel bus service going, to keep the already existing Local Link routes going and to make our vision for hourly trains on the Dublin- Thurles line and two hourly on the Nenagh spur actual.

“I’ve long said that farmers are already bearing and will bear the brunt of climate change in a way people sitting at desks simply don’t and won't. Climate-friendly farming is nature- and water- friendly farming. For dealing with extreme weather events and weather that lurches from flooding to drought farmers need to protect hedgerows and mature trees, diversify their sward, plant more trees and build their soil. They need to be supported to do this.

“When it comes to sport I believe every club in the county needs to climate-audit their facilities. How will pitches stand up to chaotic weather events? I’ve stood on the sideline of Astros during scorching weather and they are brutal for spectators let alone players. So I am not convinced they are a solution. But now is the time to plan, find the best drainage techniques and to climate-proof our sports clubs.”

“I shudder when I think of where we would be now on climate action if the Greens hadn’t been in Government. The scientific consensus is that we’ve five years left to prevent runaway climate chaos. We need the Greens in the next Government and that’s why I am humbly asking voters for their number one on General Election day.”

READ NEXT: EDITORIAL: Tipperary is looking ahead to a looming General Election