Dear Enda & Denis... If It's Melted, It's Ruined!

When something really matters, it's worth taking a stand. 2015 was the warmest year ever on record, and the threat of extreme weather in Ireland is only rising - and quickly at that!

Conversations on climate change have certainly had their ups and downs this year, and with Ireland now being one of the only two EU countries set to miss their 2020 carbon emission targets, we think it's time we took a stand. So earlier today we recreated Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Denis Naughten in ice on the doorstep of Dáil Éireann in order to prompt our government to address climate change.

Why? Because if it's melted, it's ruined!

State of the Nation

Last year, Ireland were supposed to reduce their carbon emissions by 20%, but with the use of dirty fossil fuels sky rocketing, these emissions actually went UP by 4%.

With this in mind, it's more important now than ever that we continue to work towards changing attitudes around renewable energies, fossil fuel divestment, and smarter travel here in Ireland. And, to embark on a clean and quick transition to a carbon-free future, we need our leaders to step up!

In Conversation

Today our pals at Stop Climate Chaos (SCC) will be hosting conversations with political leaders on climate action in Dublin, focusing on the challenges and opportunities Ireland faces as it makes the essential move toward a carbon free future. 

Attendees of the talks will demand the Government make three immediate decisions in order to prove their commitment to climate action is serious:

• Enabling Community Ownership of Renewable Energy
  As it stands, people must give the excess solar energy they produce from panels in their homes, communities, and on solar farms away for free. So, as a first step in the right direction, Stop Climate Chaos will ask the Government to guarantee fair payment for this surplus solar electricity.
• Divesting Taxpayers' Money from Fossil Fuels
  By continuing to invest in fossil fuel companies, the government are both encouraging and enabling their plans to continue to explore and extract more and more fossil fuels. Therefore demanding the divestment of taxpayers' money is crucial in meeting climate goals.
• Achieving the Goals of the Smarter Travel Policy
  Emissions from the transport sector almost tripled between 1990 and 2007, and they are still rising quickly, so achieving the goals of the Smarter Travel Policy is key!

Want to find out more about Stop Climate Chaos' goals? Click here!

Take Action!

We all have a role to play in the fight for climate justice, so take a stand by asking your local community representative to get talking TODAY!

Enda and Denis, if you're reading this, we'd love to chat some more over a scoop or two. We'll bring the ice cream!

To join the conversation online, head over to @BenandJerrysIRL, and to read more on how we're tackling climate change, click here! Don't forget... if it's melted, it's ruined!