Climate action and Ireland

Sir, – I must take issue with Dr Gareth Keeley (Letters, July 28th) on a number of fronts. Ireland is a small country certainly, but it has significant influence in the world of development and caring for those on the margins who are the most seriously affected by climate change. We may not be able to forecast completely the effects of increased CO2 in the atmosphere but the general changes are clear and there is no question the release of CO2 must be drastically reduced.

If Ireland, a rich country, demands and obtains reduced emission targets, any small country may argue the same; as may any country which considers that its national interest will be affected by reductions in CO2 emissions.

Thankfully Paris saw the dropping of such arguments in favour of realising we have to share this planet, an acceptance of the common good for the whole of humanity.

– Yours, etc,

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Dr PATRICK DAVEY

Shankill,

Dublin 18.