A climate justice demonstration will take place in Galway City later today, with protestors to march through the city centre to the Spanish Arch.
The protest, which is being organised by a coalition of local groups, will assemble at the Town Hall Theatre at 1pm this afternoon.
It will then proceed to Eyre Square via Woodquay, before continuing down to the Spanish Arch.
“Climate change remains the greatest issue we as a society may ever face. However, the effects of climate change will widen already existing inequalities in society,” said event organiser Cian Mortimer.
“Climate justice demands that a human rights based approach is taken in climate action, and that the most vulnerable communities are placed at the heart of the solution.”
The groups behind the demonstration are demanding the Ireland achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, and “justice for climate refugees”.
Climate change is expected to be a major driver of international migration in coming years as environmental degradation results in essential resources, like water, becoming scarcer in many areas.
To ensure a “just transition” to a net-zero emissions economy, the demonstrators that there should be no general carbon tax, with taxes instead levied on corporations; public transport should be free and green; and small-scale, environmentally friendly farming should be promoted.
Part of the goal of this event is to highlight the role which junior transport minister, and former chair of the climate action committee, Galway TD Hildegarde Naughton can play in this transition Cian Mortimer said.
