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The government intends to spend at least 1 million euros a day on bicycle and walking infrastructure in the next budget, announced the leader of the Green Party.
Eamon Ryan said he also hopes to spend three-quarters “of the vastly improved modernization budget” on low-income and social housing.
Speaking at the Green Party National Convention tonight, he said: “If Covid-19 has reminded us of anything, it is surely that we are not immune to the threats that come from stress in our natural world.
“We need to show the same urgency in our response to the climate and biodiversity crisis that we use in response to the pandemic.
Next year, Ryan said, is critical if we are to avoid a climate catastrophe.
In an attempt to avoid ecological collapse, next week, the Green Party will introduce a new Climate Action Amendment Bill. The legislation aims to make Ireland carbon neutral by 2050 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 7% annually for the next ten years.
“My ambition is for the bill to be enacted in time for the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement by next December 15,” Ryan said.
But Ireland must also work internationally to prevent irreversible environmental damage and the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow will “change the course of history and introduce a sustainable economic system or fail and allow the destruction of our world. natural”. he said.
The Greens in government have already introduced a circular economy this year that would reduce waste at the source and encourage recycling, which is working to stop plastic pollution and lower costs for consumers, he said.
And he called for new housing developments to be built across the country within a 15-minute walk or bike ride to high-quality public transportation.
Work has begun to improve solar and wind power in Ireland so that the country can meet its goal of generating 70 percent renewable electricity in 10 years, he said.
And Mr. Ryan is committed to increasing support for community power generation projects to meet this renewable energy goal.
“Reflecting on the past year, there are signs of hope despite the tough times,” he said.
“For the most part, we come together and act in social solidarity to try to keep the virus at bay.
“I believe that the fundamental commitment of the Irish people to work together through this pandemic remains intact.
“We have a particular challenge in government trying to strike the right balance between saving lives and protecting livelihoods. We have certainly made mistakes, and in all likelihood we will not do everything right on all the difficult calls that lie ahead, but I still have faith in our people and our public administration and democratic system that we can move forward. ”
Also speaking at the convention, Green Party Deputy Leader Catherine Martin TD, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Art, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, said that this year has been a great challenge.
“This has been a year like no other, for our planet, our society, our global community and for us in the Green Party,” he said.
“It has been a year filled with incredible challenges and heartbreaking tragedies. Covid-19 has caused pain, isolation, and struck many of the most vulnerable in our society in the most cruel way possible. But we, as a people, have joined with pride to protect each other.
“As Minister of Tourism, Culture, Art, Gaeltacht, Sports and the Media, I am well aware of the impact of this pandemic on those under my mandate: artists, the tourism sector, sport of all levels, from the elite to the local community. They were the first to be hit and will be the last to recover. “
The impact on the most vulnerable in society, those who are homeless or in direct provision, has also been horribly strong, he said.
The elderly and the chronically ill have also suffered from worry, anxiety, loneliness and disconnection due to Covid, he said.
“The pandemic is testing our resolve, our resilience as a nation, as a people like never before,” he said. “It is important, while we have a solid debate and question decisions, that we, as a country, as a people, are united.
“Now is definitely not the time for any political opportunism,” the vice president said.
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