Sandymount’s locals were asked if global warming concerned them, what they did and didn’t do to help. They were asked for ideas on how to improve the situation and finally what they thought the greatest environmental problem was.

What Will You Do?
We all have to take responsibility to prevent climate change.

“As we stand at the brink of a period of unprecedented climate change, scientists have a special responsibility once again to inform the public and advise leaders about the dangers that humanity faces. We foresee great perils if governments and society do not take action now to prevent further climate change.” Stephen Hawking commenting after the doomsday clock had been brought forward to five minutes to twelve.

Until recently, humanity, primarily from the first world, has been oblivious to the harm their actions have had, and continue to have, on the environment. Science is now providing information, confirming that our behaviour is adversely affecting the condition of the entire planet. Scientists predict oncoming catastrophes of biblical proportions. The ominous forecast is of rising oceans, wide-scale land loss through flooding, destruction of ice shelves and an increase in the global temperature.

While it may look bleak, science is also showing us the correct way forward. There are no supernatural forces at work, just irresponsible human activity and now that we realise our power to affect the globe, we can get on with changing our behaviour for the better. We should all now be aware of our ‘carbon footprint’, (that is the total amount of greenhouse gases we each produce, expressed in tons of carbon dioxide or CO2). The average person is responsible for emitting 11 tonnes of carbon a year. Everyone should be conscious of this and aim to reduce their output.

It is time to take pride in our home of Earth. We must all show awareness and accept responsibility. It seems we can no longer entrust the planet to God or fate, but to ourselves. For ourselves and for the future generations (the global population was 2.5 billion in 1950 and is predicted to be 9.5 billion by 2050). But the ruling message is simple, and we all know it by now. That is to use less and consume less. Use the car less. Buy less things. Reuse things. Recycle things. Save energy where you can.

Some environmental tips that can reduce your carbon footprint
* Turn lights off, even if you’re leaving the room for a short time.
* Choose some days or a week where you will walk, cycle, or use public transport when you can.
*A quarter of the average bin is made up of organic waste. Acquire a food-composting bin.
*Buy local, seasonal vegetables.
*Turn off computers and other appliances when not in use.

Dylan Roche
Global warming doesn’t particularly worry me but I do my bit for the environment. I cycle and I recycle. Paper, glass, bottles, and plastics where I can, compost as well.

What bad I do the environment I suppose is the same as everyone else, which is using electricity and living. What changes there should be? Everyone is going to drive so why not make it compulsory to use hybrid cars? The biggest problem is people being apathetic and not doing anything.

You can’t really deny that there are issues and my fear would be that nothing is going to change, that nobody is going to do anything about it. By the time people wake up to it it will be too late.

Mary Murphy
Global warming does worry me. I recycle mainly and I try not to use more electricity or gas than I need to. I have a car but I don’t use it if I think I can use public transport.

There are things the government could do. I’ve been reading that old ESB plants use far more energy than they should. They should make sure that infrastructure is more efficient. It’s using more energy than it should to generate energy.

The lack of public transport also means you rely on the car. The oil crisis is pretty major and the first world uses far too much of everything. I think each country, thinking globally, should assess what it can do and get together and try, really try to do things that will benefit the environment.”

Sean O’Toole
Absolutely global warming causes me concern. We have three bins in our house, recycling food stuff, glass, paper and cardboard. I’m sure I do things bad for the environment but it’s hard to say.

A major problem is obviously the SUV’s, they’re the main concern. I don’t drive one and I think they’re awful. They’re too big and in reality they’re of no use to society. I think there should be a higher tax on them to try to get people away from buying them.

Personally, I think the way forward is nuclear power, if done properly. I know people might disagree but fossil fuels are the problem: they’re the main cause of global warming.

Siobhan Mc Erlean
Global warming does cause me concern. At home we recycle all our waste. We turn off lights and try and reduce the heating whenever we can.

I do drive a big car. It’s an eight seater but it’s not a SUV, it’s a people carrier. I have five children so I need it.

For the benefit of the environment, I would try to get more people on their bicycles. They should put in proper cycle paths and there should also be better promotion of cycling. Improved education would help, starting at primary school level where children should be made more aware of the issues facing us.

Sean O’Hara
Global warming causes me a certain amount of concern. I am a very keen walker and walk in preference to taking the bus if it’s a reasonable journey. Where we’re standing now if you look to your right there is a bus stop and there is a car parked at the bus stop. They’re going into the local shop and they’ve probably only driven a couple of hundred yards and that goes on all day everyday. They’re using their cars needlessly and it’s definitely polluting the atmosphere.

People depend on oil and it’s going to run out and there’s nothing to take its place. Nuclear energy is spoken about but I think that’s even worse. What do they do with the waste? They talk about encasing it in concrete boxes and sinking it to the bottom of the sea. That’s no solution. Renewable resources such as forestry, grown like a crop for fuel might be an alternative. Cut one down and plant two in its place.

Emily Mc Manus
I think global warming is terrifying. It was talked about as if it was very much in the future. Now they’re talking about it happening in the next 10 years. There’s a very definite date on it.

I have gotten very careful about recycling and I try to minimize the use of the car. I use the car because I have to travel in my work but whenever I can I use the bike.

The ideal would be if public transport was a lot better and everyone used that. There could be better recycling facilities too. The biggest problem is industry. They aren’t well regulated with respect to pollution and environmental damage. China is newly capitalised with new factories flying up. I’d imagine they wouldn’t be too conscious of pollution. Not that we’re great.