Sending Out An S.O.P.

It seems like only yesterday that Greystones teenagers Shona Edge and Molly Gordon Boles stood on the steps of Wicklow County Council buildings as they officially declared Ireland’s first-ever climate and biodiversity emergency.

It was actually five days ago, but, like so many young climate activists right now, Shona and Molly move fast.

A quick rallying-cry from fellow student Saoi O’Connor in Cork this morning saw the girls quickly pack their placards and head off into the big city to take part in a protest outside the Dáil this afternoon.

With their school teacher – and Action On Climate Change coordinator – Ciara Bolger standing firm alongside her Temple Carrig students, chants of “We want, we want ACTION!” and “Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! Climate change has to GO!” rang out across the 100-plus crowd.

“We hope that the rest of the country follows in Wicklow’s steps to declare a climate emergency,” Molly told the Guide. “By doing this, our perception of climate will change, leading to more action, which is the ultimate goal.”

For her part, Shona argued that the government needs to tell it like it is – “a disaster emergency“.

“The younger generation has spoken,” she finished, “and it’s time we were not only heard, but listened to…”

You can read the 101-page Wicklow Climate Adaptation Strategy draft in full here.