Dear Sir, – It is quite alarming that we find ourselves in a situation where the crucial rationales given by Prof Hannah Daly even need to be debated, especially against Dublin Airport Authority’s proposed plan to expand air traffic from Dublin Airport (“Aviation’s carbon footprint cannot be ignored”, Opinion, Environment, June 6th).
As recently highlighted by the UN Secretary General António Guterres, our chances of limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees is “on thin ice”, along with the future prospects of our youngsters.
The idea that a quasi-government entity, like the DAA, is advocating for actions that blatantly contradict the scientific and ethical necessity of rigorous and immediate emission reductions, is, to be honest, unthinkable. The suggested extension could lead to around 750,000 extra tonnes of harmful emissions, as Prof Daly points out, effectively nullifying other hard-won efforts to combat climate change. It is quite perplexing as to why such a knowingly damaging proposal has not provoked widespread public protest. The situation bewilders further when aviation sector officials repeatedly propose entire circumvention of planning procedures and regulations to facilitate such a proposal.
Bodies that are partially governed by the state should prioritise the welfare of the state and its residents above all else, particularly focusing on the youngest and most susceptible individuals. The future of the state’s children is being grossly undermined by these proposals and, more importantly, our inability as grown-ups to be their voice. – Yours faithfully,
LOUISE O’LEARY,
Terenure,
Dublin 6W.