Absence of politicians at climate crisis event draws ire

The absence of any political representatives was criticised at a screening of a film on the climate crisis in Ballyhaunis last week.

Hosted by the Climate Café Connacht, the film, People’s Emergency Briefing, is a 50-minute documentary featuring various scientific experts who outline the extent and likely impact of climate change on people’s health, the economy, nature, food production and other aspects of society.

“We invited every political representative in Mayo and in the neighbouring counties,” explained Steve Ridd, one of the organisers of the screening at the Community Hall in Ballyhaunis.

A large attendance travelled from as far away as Louisburgh and Clonbur to watch the film and join a discussion afterwards.

The impact of severe weather on the planet’s ability to feed itself was one of the issues discussed during the debate, with falling crop yields due to droughts a major worry in Europe this summer. The impact of extreme heat on people with existing heath conditions, highlighted by the film, was also discussed by the audience after the screening.

Several of those present at the Ballyhaunis screening suggested that in the absence of urgency at the political level, community groups need to organise themselves to demand action while also undertaking projects together that raise awareness of climate change.

Several of those present suggested organising screenings at local schools of the film, which features a range of preeminent scientific experts discussing the current and likely future impact of climate change.