ENVIRONMENT:IF IRELAND were to reject the Lisbon Treaty the fight against climate change would be set back possibly by years, a pro-Lisbon event hosted by the Green Party was warned yesterday.
Environmental journalist John Gibbons said at the Dublin event a No vote 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 ‘kiboshing’ 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,” he said.
Green Party leader John Gormley said the Irish people could not achieve energy sustainability or combat climate change without Europe. “Energy efficiency, sustainability, combating climate change – without Europe it cannot be done.”
Environmental campaigner Duncan Stewart said Ireland needed Europe “to lead on climate change”.
