Submit your recommendations on climate action to the Citizens' Assembly by 11 August!

On the weekends of 30^th September & 4^th November, the Citizens’ Assembly will deliberate on the topic of ‘How the State can make Ireland a leader in tackling climate change', and they want to hear from you before Friday August 11th.

This is a major opportunity for us to send a strong message that we want the State to finally start taking real action on climate change.

The Citizens’ Assembly is a randomly selected group of 100 people, broadly representative of the Irish electorate, brought together to consider some of the most important issues facing Ireland’s future. Their conclusions and recommendations on the topics they discuss are sent to the Houses of the Oireachtas for further debate by our elected representatives. The Government will have to respond to each recommendation of the Assembly.

They must hear from concerned members of the public, like you, by Friday 11 August. Even with the deadline so close, very few individuals have submitted recommendations.

Will you make a submission on climate action in Ireland?

FAQ

1. What should I include?

The most important thing to remember is that you don’t have to be an expert on climate change to make a submission! Keep in mind that the citizens reading the submissions won’t be experts either. The main things to say are why climate change matters to you personally and why you think it is an important issue for Ireland to tackle. Your submission should be in your own words and unique to you. It can be as short or as long, as detailed or as general as you wish.

You could tell the Assembly what measures you would like to see the State carry out on some or all of the following areas, or come up with your own list:

• How we move around e.g. public transport, cars, cycling.
• What we eat and how our food is produced.
• How we light/heat our homes.
• How we generate our energy.
• How we deal with our waste.
• How we cooperate with other countries dealing with the impacts of climate change.
• How we support those being impacted by climate change at home and abroad.
• How we plan for the impacts of climate change.

These are just a few examples to get you thinking, but there are many more categories not listed here. Submissions are invited across the full spectrum of issues in relation to climate change, but in particular the Assembly would like to hear your views on how Ireland’s energy, transport and agriculture sectors can be improved to reduce our impact on the climate.

2. How do I make a submission?

Go to the Citizens Assembly site here and follow the instructions, entering your contact information and your message to the Assembly in the comment box. Alternatively, you can upload a submission document.

3. What is the deadline?

Submissions must be made by 5pm on August 11^th. Postal submissions are also accepted (16 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, D01 X9Y2).

4. Can anyone make a submission?

Yes, not just citizens of Ireland or those living in Ireland. Anyone living anywhere can make a submission. Climate change is a global problem that requires all countries to act, so have your say regardless of where you are.

5. Is there any support for me in writing a submission?

Yes! A submission-writing workshop will be held on Tuesday 8th August in Students' Union Kitchen, House 6, Trinity College, Dublin, and is co-hosted by Stop Climate Chaos, TCD SU, Fossil Free TCD & Young Friends of the Earth. More details on the FaceBook event here. If you have 30 seconds to spare, check out this video they made about writing a submission!

Any further questions, feel free to contact us by replying to this email.

Such a great opportunity for influencing #ClimateAction doesn't come around very often, so please, make sure your voice gets heard.

Friends of the Earth