Get in the Game!

John McCormick
22 October 2009 - 3:39pm
0 comments

Tagged as:

• Climate Change
• climate chaos
• Environment
• stop climate change chaos

Whilst the rest of the UK has made good progress on reducing their emissions and reaching international targets on Greenhouse gas, Northern Ireland is lagging well behind. The UK average is a reduction of 18% in their Greenhouse gas emissions since 1990, whereas Northern Ireland has only managed a 13% reduction.

The UK average is a reduction of 18% in their Greenhouse gas emissions since 1990, whereas Northern Ireland has only managed a 13% reduction. Northern Ireland's poor track record in reducing Greenhouse gas emissions is not only bad for the environment, it is adding to the financial difficulties being faced by households across Northern Ireland.

British & Irish Lions rugby star Stephen Ferris has given his backing to the ‘Get in the Game' campaign because:

"we really need our Assembly to take the issue of climate change seriously. Doing so would not only benefit some of the poorest people in the world who are already suffering its impacts, but would also be good for Northern Ireland in terms of potential new jobs, a revitalised economy and savings for householders."

Gary McFarlane, spokesperson for Stop Climate Change Chaos Coalition, is calling on the Assembly to act, stating that

"We want to see Northern Ireland play its part and in doing so realise some of the tremenduous opportunities that rising to this challenge will present such as securing existing jobs or creating new ones; boosting our economy; and helping ensure a safe and sustainable Northern Ireland for current and future generations. Conversely, if we fail to invest in addressing the problem now then matters will only potentially get worse.

The long term trend off gas, oil and electricity prices is upwards. Investment in home energy efficiency incentives is desperately needed, particulary for those least well off.

Thousands of householders have already suffered due to destructive floods that have hit people across Northern Ireland in recent years. This has negative economic impacts as insurance rates rise for both householders and business people whose properties are ruined by water and sewerage not to mention the public health impacts such scenarios potentially raise.

The Executive has paid out over £3m to people to assist with the clear up from flood damage. This money could have been spent on health and education which are facing serious cuts in the near future.

Francis McCandless, another spokesperson for the coalition added

"Given the state of economic crises and recent figures revealing that the unemployment rate in Northern Ireland has risen to 53,800 people efforts to tackle climate change will not only be good for the environment but will create thousands of jobs in new green industries.

Our politicians need to realise that helping the environment and creating a sustainable economy go hand in hand.

We believe that the public in Northern Ireland want to see our politicians act to address the negative impacts - economic, social and physical - that climate change is having and, if left unchecked, will have in the future.

We want a safe, prosperous and secure future for current and future generations."

Sign up now

The Get in the Game campaign offers the public the opportunity to do so in this election year by signing our petition which can be accessed at

www.communityni.org/content/act-now/