Clare Climate Activist Insists US Must Be Global Leader In Fight For Planet's Survival

Clare FM

A Clare climate activist insists the US must be a leader when it comes to climate change, instead of continuing with its plan to expand the fossil fuel industry. A number of President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet picks are sparking fears of a regressive new climate policy across the Atlantic which could have devastating long-term effects on the planet. Trump secured his status as a climate-sceptic as far back as 2012, when he famously tweeted that "the concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese, in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive". Since then, he's done little to ease the fears of those who believe in climate change, calling the idea of long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns a "scam" as recently as September. Throughout his recent Presidential campaign, he repeated the mantra "drill baby drill" in relation to his pledge to ramp up fracking in the US while in office. Concerns have been raised following his recent cabinet appointments, which include Lee Zeldin as Environmental Protection Agency administrator, Chris Wright as energy secretary and Doug Burgum as interior secretary, all of whom have adopted views falling under the umbrella of climate-scepticism. Scariff-based Futureproof Clare spokesperson, Sinead Sheehan says rolling back the environmental measures already in place would be fatal, as the planet's survival hinges on more action being taken. It comes as a webinar on energy justice is being held this week by Feminist Communities for Climate Justice. The online event, which is called 'Safe, Warm, Green: Towards Energy Justice', takes place on Thursday at 1pm and will address the intersection of housing, energy, and cost-of-living crises in Ireland. Lisdoonvarna resident Theresa O'Donoghue recently completely the Changing Ireland certificate programme in Maynooth University, in conjunction with Community Work Ireland and the National Women’s Council, and will be speaking at the event about her experience of energy poverty as a single mother. She says she's become aware of how particularly vulnerable women are to energy poverty. One of Clare's representatives in European Parliament, meanwhile, is calling for a review of taxes on fossil fuels to relieve the burden on consumers and businesses. Seán Kelly has said rising energy prices are putting serious strain on families and businesses. The Fine Gael Ireland South MEP believes some levies on energy usage are necessary, but suggests a more efficient process is needed to combat high energy prices.