Dear John,

From the debate on data centres to the upcoming UN climate negotiations, there’s a lot going on in the world of climate campaigning right now. With some important opportunities for action. 

Up first is data centres - as we’ve just a few hours to act on this one. No doubt you’ve heard some of the public debates on data centres in recent weeks. In the last four years data centres have gobbled up enough electricity to power 560,000 homes. Projections for their future power demands are even more alarming.

Without urgent intervention, data centres will seriously derail Ireland’s climate action efforts. But there is some good news. The Dáil will vote on a Bill to restrict the development of new data centres and fossil fuel infrastructure tonight!

Could you email your TDs - asking them to support this Bill tonight? 

Moving on to the COP26 UN climate talks. They’ll take place while less then 1% of people in low-income countries are fully vaccinated. Rich countries, who have fuelled the climate crisis, are opposing mechanisms to increase vaccine access across the Global South. This means that poor countries, who’ve been hit hardest by the climate crisis, will be seriously underrepresented at the talks. These are the countries who push for ambitious climate action at every COP - and oppose the false solutions and delay tactics favoured by rich, highly polluting countries.

By holding COP26 now, climate justice, and climate ambition, is being tragically undermined. If ever we needed motivation to fight for climate justice - then this is surely it.

We’ve lots of questions to figure out. How can we most effectively stand in solidarity with those most impacted by the climate crisis? How can we platform their demands as the UN talks unfold? John, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Could you join us for an online action planning workshop to explore these questions and do some planning? This workshop is part of the One Future Autumn Event series and will take place on Monday 11th October from 6pm to 7.30pm. 

During this workshop we’ll do some brainstorming and plan actions for before and during the COP26 climate talks. We’ll explore other opportunities for action between now and Christmas too  - such as responding to the Government’s upcoming climate action plan and talking to TDs who will have a vote on what our emissions target for 2025 should be.

This workshop is being run under the One Future banner but is open to all. It’s a good opportunity to get a taste of what goes on in the One Future network of climate groups, who organise locally to lobby TDs and campaign for faster and fairer climate action. One Future is supported by the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition and Friends of the Earth. 

The workshop will be followed by a social event, we’ll be inviting participants to have a cup of tea or glass of wine and stay online until 8pm to connect with One Future members and other Stop Climate Chaos supporters. 

I hope to see you on Monday,

In solidarity,

Deirdre

Communications Support, Stop Climate Chaos

P.S. Want to learn more about movements who are organising to bring climate justice to the COP26 climate negotiations? The CoP26 coalition is a good place to start - it’s very active on Twitter here and has a website here. You might like to check it out before Monday’s workshop - for some inspiration and ideas. 

Stop Climate Chaos is a coalition of civil society organizations campaigning to ensure Ireland does its fair share to tackle the causes and consequences of climate change.