Hannigan highlights climate action policies in Sligo

25 April 2019

To highlight the current climate issues and solutions for Co. Sligo Dominic Hannigan, the Labour Party’s European election candidate for the Midlands North West constituency, yesterday (24.04.19) joined local election candidate for Labour Nessa Cosgrove and activists from Sligo on a ‘Local Cycle for Global Change’ in Doorly Park, Sligo Town.

At the event, Mr. Hannigan discussed some of his climate action policy proposals with local activists, including his proposals for plastic bottle Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) and Bike Share Schemes. The ‘Local Cycle for Global Change’ has arisen from Mr. Hannigan’s climate policy of making the global local, linking worldwide issues with on-the-ground initiatives.

Commenting at the cycle event yesterday (24.04.19) Mr. Hannigan said: “Taking action on climate change and protecting our environment can seem so overwhelming and daunting that many people simply don’t know where to begin. I’m advocating for an approach of linking tangible local actions that connect on a global scale to really have an impact.

“Take, for example, the plastic bottle Deposit Return Scheme, where consumers can drop off used plastic bottles for a financial return. If we had even just one in each of the 200 urban centres around Ireland, and 1,000 bottles are deposited at each per week – that is 200,000 bottles. 200,000 bottles a week taken back into the circular economy in a sustainable way. Now, think of those numbers an E.U. wide scale.

“Now more than ever people, particularly young people, are becoming aware of the threat that our current lifestyle presents to our planet, our wellbeing and the future for the next generation. Looking at the energy and leadership demonstrated by children at the recent #schoolstrike4climate protests, we must follow their example and act now, providing sustainable ways of living that protect our planet.”

Also at the climate action event, local election Labour candidate Nessa Cosgrove said: “I’m delighted to be here with Dominic today as a candidate for Sligo County Council. It is important to form these links because what we need is a climate approach which encompasses local government, national Government and the European Parliament. This is the only way that we can achieve the comprehensive change required across Europe, and the world, at this crucial point in our history.

“We must be leaders, at every level of our European community on this issue. Locally, for example, in order to support the introduction of bike share schemes, I will work to ensure improved safety standards for cyclists in Co. Sligo.”

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