If Ireland rejected the Lisbon Treaty the fight against climate change would be set back for possibly years, a pro-Lisbon event hosted by the Green Party was warned today.
Environmental journalist John Gibbons said at the Dublin event a NO would be "suicidal" from an environmental point of view.
A Yes vote was particularly important ahead of the UN Climate-Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December.
"The notion of Ireland kyboshing Lisbon ahead of Copenhagen in December to me is suicidal. It would put Ireland on the margins and really, really set back efforts at resolving climate issues probably for years."
Leader of the Green Party, John Gormley, said the Irish people could not achieve energy sustainability or combat climate change without Europe.
"Energy efficiency, sustainability, combatting climate change – without Europe it cannot be done. It is clear to anybody that without European legislation, without those directives the whole question of sustainability just wouldn't figure."
There was a direct reference to combatting climate change in the Treaty which strengthened the EU's commitment to it.
Environmental campaigner Duncan Stewart said Ireland needed Europe "to lead on climate change".
"I believe if we were to turn our back on Europe now certainly from my point of you I would really seriously consider whether I would want to stay in this country. I don't want to be part of a society that is self righteous, arrogant and ignorant about the big issues that we face."
