Good evening, I am here today to support the motion to declare a climate emergency.
This is my daughter Rachael, she is 8 months old, I love her to pieces and would do anything for her... including talking at council meetings!
What we do today is pivotal for Rachael's future. The IPCC report provides stark warnings for us should we fail to act now.
By the time Rachael is just 11 years old her fate will be sealed. If we have not acted by then we will be unable to prevent climate breakdown.
By the time she is 20 scientists predict that the northern permafrost will have thawed, releasing methane into our atmosphere, and triggering irreversible global warming and acidification of our oceans.
By the time she is 30 all corral reefs globally will be destroyed, reeking havok on fish stocks and our oceans ecosystems
By the time she is 60 there will be no more fertile soils due to the loss of pollinators, mass starvation and global collapse are likely.
By the time she is 80 the globe could be 4 degrees warmer, she will have seen the extinction of most species on earth and large parts of the world will be uninhabitable. Global conflict will be inevitable.
This is not a future any parent would want for their child. This is not a future that I believe this council wants to see for its residents. The challenge we face is daunting. Inaction is not a viable option.
The problem is huge and it will take commitment at both a government and local level to tackle. I am delighted that the motion that has been brought forward today includes a 2030 target which is better aligned with the IPCC recommendations. I am heartened to see that the motion commits to meaningful action being taken in the next year. I would like the council to support this motion, and challenge each and everyone of you to consider if more can be done. Every day that passes without action is a day we steal from our children.
Can we hand on heart look Rachael in the eye in 11 years time and say we did everything possible. I hope that this council will be able to.
What we do today is pivotal for Rachael's future. The IPCC report provides stark warnings for us should we fail to act now.
By the time Rachael is just 11 years old her fate will be sealed. If we have not acted by then we will be unable to prevent climate breakdown.
By the time she is 20 scientists predict that the northern permafrost will have thawed, releasing methane into our atmosphere, and triggering irreversible global warming and acidification of our oceans.
By the time she is 30 all corral reefs globally will be destroyed, reeking havok on fish stocks and our oceans ecosystems
By the time she is 60 there will be no more fertile soils due to the loss of pollinators, mass starvation and global collapse are likely.
By the time she is 80 the globe could be 4 degrees warmer, she will have seen the extinction of most species on earth and large parts of the world will be uninhabitable. Global conflict will be inevitable.
This is not a future any parent would want for their child. This is not a future that I believe this council wants to see for its residents. The challenge we face is daunting. Inaction is not a viable option.
The problem is huge and it will take commitment at both a government and local level to tackle. I am delighted that the motion that has been brought forward today includes a 2030 target which is better aligned with the IPCC recommendations. I am heartened to see that the motion commits to meaningful action being taken in the next year. I would like the council to support this motion, and challenge each and everyone of you to consider if more can be done. Every day that passes without action is a day we steal from our children.
Can we hand on heart look Rachael in the eye in 11 years time and say we did everything possible. I hope that this council will be able to.
