The world needs to move away from the prevailing neo-liberal economic model to one linking ecology, economy and society if humankind is to successfully address climate change, according to PresidentThe President said climate change is the most pressing issue facing people as a global community and the window of opportunity to act and address it in a meaningful way is closing at a worryingly fast rate.
Warning humankind is “at the precipice of a global ecological catastrophe,” Mr Higgins said dangerous shifts in climate are putting stress on ecosystems which can no longer support populations and communities. But tackling climate change places an onus and moral imperative on all people to make the necessary changes to their lifestyles if this current generation is to avoid bequeathing “a hostile and volatile Planet Earth” to the next generation.
Highlighting the importance of power, the President said the State has a potentially very positive role to play in policy decisions on issues such as energy, water and emissions, but people must reclaim the State in this regard.