President says corporations 'deliberately' working against climate action
THE PRESIDENT HAS said that there are corporations that are 'deliberately' working against climate action at the same time as the world experiences record-breaking weather extremes.
President Michael D. Higgins delivered a speech this morning at the opening of Bloom, the annual food and gardening festival held in Phoenix Park.
Addressing the crowd on the first day of the festival, the President used much of his speech to draw attention to the perils of the climate crisis and the need for action to address it.
He said that the large attendance numbers at Bloom each year reflect 'the interest that people have in being outdoors' and the growing awareness of needing to protectthe natural world and move to a circular economy.
'We are living, as we all know, in an era of profound environmental challenges, one that is defined by shared interacting crises,' he said.
The world's leading climate scientists have told us with increasing urgency that the planet we share is at a tipping point, and in some places has moved over that point,' he said, describing the 'devastating consequences of a warming world'.
'The impacts of climate change in Ireland are impacts with which we are now familiar. They are reflected not only in threat but in actual experience of the consequences of rising sea levels, by the increased frequency and severity of weather events such as high-impact storms, droughts and floods,' he said.
Advertisement
The President said that 'too many of us will have experienced the dreadful consequences of Storm Éowyn at the end of January', adding that he wanted to 'take this opportunity to thank again all those who worked to address the severe consequences, including the first-responders for their valiant efforts, and the great support they received from communities'.
'We have to make ourselves aware of the imbalance between those who are carrying the consequences of a warming Earth and those who contributed to where we find ourselves in terms of the climate change which has been provoked.
'The peoples of the world are aware of the crisis but unfortunately there are corporations that are deliberately going in another direction and are likely to be very active in trying to get us to retreat from the commitments at that great moment of humanity, the 2015 [Paris Agreement] commitments.
During a speech at Bloom festival on climate change, President Michael D Higgins says: 'The peoples of the world are aware of this crisis but there are corporations who are going in the other direction and are very active in trying to get us to retreat from our commitments'
pic.twitter.com/EX9YMqABRC
— Muiris Ó Cearbhaill (@muirisoc)
May 29, 2025
2024 was the
warmest year on record
, according to the World Meteorological Organisation's latest annual global climate report.
The concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere was also higher than ever before.
New projections published yesterday by the Environmental Protection Agency show that Ireland is
far off track
to meet its 2030 climate targets.
Additional reporting by Muiris Ó Cearbhaill
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Tens of thousands expected to take part in Dublin's Pride parade
Tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in Dublin's Pride parade on Saturday. The organisers said the event also celebrates a milestone 10 years of marriage equality. Thousands will make their way through Dublin city for the annual parade ahead of speeches and entertainment in Merrion Square's Pride Village. President Michael D. Higgins has sent a message to all those celebrating Pride today and across the summer — President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) June 28, 2025 The parade will start at O'Connell Street at around 12.30pm, and travel along Eden Quay and Custom House Quay before crossing the Talbot Memorial Bridge, up Lombard Street and Westland Row before finishing at Merrion Square. The non-ticketed festival at the Pride Village will include music, food stalls, acts and speeches on the main stage. In his last year as president, Michael D Higgins offered his warmest greetings to all those marking Pride 2025. He said: 'This annual celebration is a vital affirmation of the rights, dignity, and joy of our LGBT+ communities. 'It is a time, too, to remember with gratitude the courage of those who paved the way for progress when marching was not safe, who gave voice to truths that were long silenced, and who set the foundations for the inclusive Ireland that we continue to strive towards today. 'In recent years, great strides have been made in advancing the rights and recognition of LGBT+ people in Ireland. 'In celebrating Pride this year, we are also marking the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality referendum, a moment that spoke of the kind of Ireland we aspire to be: inclusive, generous, an Ireland that is unafraid to affirm the equal worth of all of our citizens. 'Yet, we must also acknowledge that the journey is not complete. 'A truly inclusive society is one where all can live authentically and creatively, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, where all can participate fully, and where all voices are not only heard but valued, in all their richness and diversity. 'Pride remains a vital expression of that vision in challenging us to deepen our commitment to human rights, to solidarity, and to the kind of republic that cherishes all of its people equally. 'In a time when hard-won rights are being questioned in many parts of the world, such vigilance and unity are more vital than ever.' There will be road closures in the city centre.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
‘The journey is not complete' – President Michael D Higgins wishers revellers happy Pride 2025 & marks key milestone
MICHAEL D Higgins has wished revellers a happy Pride 2025 — his last LGBT+ event as president. The Dublin Pride Parade and March 2025 will assemble on O'Connell Street today — celebrating a decade since the 2 President Michael D. Higgins sent well wishes for all celebrating Pride today Credit: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images President 'This annual celebration is a vital affirmation of the rights, the dignity and the joy of our " It is a time, too, to remember with gratitude the courage of those who paved the way for progress when marching was not safe, who gave voice to truths that were long silenced, and who set the foundations for the inclusive Ireland that we continue to strive towards today. 'In recent years, great strides have been made in advancing the rights and recognition of LGBT+ people in Ireland. READ MORE IN NEWS "In celebrating Pride this year, we are also marking the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality referendum. 'A moment that spoke of the kind of Ireland we aspire to be — inclusive, generous and unafraid to affirm the equal worth of all of our citizens." The President said that we must also acknowledge that "the journey is not complete". He continued: "A truly inclusive society is one where all can live authentically and creatively, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, where all can participate fully, and where all voices are not only heard but valued, in all their richness and diversity. most read in the irish sun "Pride remains a vital expression of that vision in challenging us to deepen our commitment to human rights, to solidarity, and to the kind of republic that cherishes all of its people equally. "In a time when hard-won rights are being questioned in many parts of the world, such vigilance and unity are more vital than ever. Mr Higgins reflected on his terms as President of Ireland. He added: 'I have been continually inspired by the creativity, resilience and generosity of spirit shown by Ireland's LGBT+ community. 'In so many aspects of Irish life, your rich and varied contributions have helped to enrich our society immeasurably — widening the circle of belonging for us all. "May I wish all those marking "May this Pride be a time of joy, of solidarity, and of renewed hope as we work to craft a future together that is peaceful, just and inclusive – a future defined by equality and participation of all citizens across the world in all their wonderful diversity." 2 President Higgins said the event is a vital affirmation of the rights of our LGBT+ communities Credit: Alamy
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on the next election: anyone for the presidency?
Who would run for president of Ireland? Not many , to judge from the long list of potential candidates who have already ruled themselves out of the contest to succeed Michael D Higgins when his second term ends in November. There are a multitude of reasons for early contenders to opt out. Some know they would not win. Others have been told, or have come to realise, that they would not secure their party's nomination. For frontline politicians or those with ambitions to serve in government, the thought of occupying a largely ceremonial role in the relatively sleepy surroundings of the Phoenix Park for at least seven years may not be all that enticing. The high financial cost of running a campaign is also no doubt a factor. But it is surely undeniable that the bruising, even brutal, nature of recent Irish presidential campaigns is also deterring prospective nominees from putting their names forward. There is a long list of candidates from previous elections, including people of real standing and professional accomplishment, who say the campaign left them feeling damaged or humiliated. To anyone who values the democratic system, that's regrettable, and everyone– including parties, candidates and the media – must reflect on it. At the same time, it is vital that candidates for such an important office are subjected to serious, robust scrutiny. Candidates complain that it's all about playing the man – or woman – and not the ball. The problem is that, in presidential elections, there is no ball. The president has no executive powers and virtually no influence on policy. Their influence is softer, more nebulous and symbolic. Campaign discussions about housing or healthcare or taxation are useful only insofar as they provide an insight into the personality and worldview of the individual. READ MORE Ultimately, a presidential election is about finding the personality whom the electorate deems most suitable to represent the country and its values at a particular moment. In their different ways, each of the last three presidents have done exactly that, embodying an outlook or a set of preoccupations that both reflected – and helped to define – their eras. To say that the president's power is largely symbolic is not to imply that the role is less important. On the contrary. It is vested with important constitutional functions that require sound judgment and sharp political instincts. It is in many ways a harder role to fill than most other public office because the holder must have that rare ability to both understand politics and stand above it, to show a deep, sophisticated knowledge of the Irish experience and the ability to articulate a national vision that transcends day-to-day preoccupations. If that person is to be found, the strongest candidates must enter the contest.
