A group of Ireland’s environmental organisations have come together to launch a campaign called 10:10 in Ireland. 10:10 is an exciting campaign where the people, schools and organisations of Ireland can get directly involved in making a difference against Climate Change by reducing their own CO2 by 10% in 2010 – 10:10. This is an achievable target and is the first valuable step towards the longer term aims of international level CO2 targets where An Taisce seeks the strongest possible deal at Copenhagen and fully supports the ‘Seal the Deal’ campaign.

10:10 is an ambitious project to unite every sector of a country behind one simple idea: that by working together we can achieve a 10% cut in the country’s carbon emissions in 2010. 10:10 does not recognize any form of offsetting as counting towards the 10% target. Cutting 10% emissions in one year is a bold target but it is in line with what scientists say we need over the next 18 months.

This is very different from idealistic targets set for far into the future. For now the important thing is that we stop talking about what happens in the future, and start cutting the carbon. 10:10 can trigger the mass-engagement that this issue has been missing to date.

First begun in England last month, 10:10 has already received commitments on its website from a wide range of individuals, businesses, educational institutes and organisations.

John Gormley, Minister for the Environment, will launch the campaign in Government Buildings at 10:10 AM this Thursday 29 October. The Irish 10:10.ie website will be officially opened at the same time and sign up books will be in place in all of the public libraries around the country.

It will be launched simultaneously with a new Environmental Protection Agency Report – ”The state of knowledge of impacts of climate change on Ireland”.

10:10 IN THEIR OWN WORDS
“10:10 makes real the targets politicians only talk about.”
Tony Lowes, Friends of the Irish Environment

“An Taisce and Green Schools are behind 10:10, which is an exciting campaign where the people, schools and organisations of Ireland can get directly involved in making a difference against Climate Change by reducing their own CO2 by 10% in 2010 – 10:10. This is an achievable target and is the first valuable step
towards the longer term aims of international level CO2 targets.”
Charles Stanley-Smith, Chair An Taisce The National Trust for Ireland

“10% saved – 10% in your pocket.”
Kathy Marsh, Sonairte: The National Ecology Centre

“The 10:10 campaign will be a winner because it is accessible to all. It follows the ‘to each their own’ principle, allowing people and groups the independence to choose the most suitable actions to reduce their carbon footprint. Once you have signed up, the tips and advice available from the 10:10 resources will help you
reach the 10% reduction target, in a way that is best suited to you.”
Ciara Aucoin, VOICE

“Cutting CO2 emissions makes sense for everyone on the planet – 10% in 2010 is not difficult. Think of coming generations – their very survival could depend on us taking action now. Join 10:10 now and put pressure on the politicians at Copenhagen.”
Bob Wilson, CELT Centre for Environmental Living and Training (www.celtnet.org)

“The Irish Seal Sanctuary fisheries advisory group has been exploring with the European commission the possibility of using fuel as a conservation tool and matching it to sustainable fishing effort in the new common fisheries policy. (CFP) We are encouraging the Irish government to look at fuel consumption of the Irish
fishing fleet for 10:10 as an obvious area for fuel consumption reduction.”
The Irish Seal Sanctuary

10:10 BACKGROUND
The groups introducing 10:10 in Ireland are An Taisce, CELT, Coastwatch, Cultivate, FEASTA, Friends of the Irish Environment, Green Schools, IDEA, Irish Wildlife Trust, Sonairte, Seal Sanctuary, Transition Towns, and VOICE.

See also:
The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/10-10