A number of environmental NGOs and Minister John Gormely came together on the steps of the Dail on the 29th of October to launch the first branch of the international campaign 10:10. Founded by film director Franny Armstrong, the 10:10 UK campaign grew from the hit ‘The Age of Stupid’ where Armstrong showed viewers what the world could look like in 2050 if we continued living as we are now. The concept is simple and the ask is not too big: 10% reductions in the UK’s carbon emissions in the year 2010. Irish environmentalists, VOICE included, started to wonder why they couldn’t do the same and soon bumped heads until an Irish version of 10:10 was born. 10:10 plans to go global with the next countries rumoured to sign up after Ireland being Australia and New Zealand.
Why 10:10? We all now know that unless we act quickly to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels and the rate at which he emit harmful greenhouse gases, life on earth will face huge obstacles in the years to come. With all these warnings and no action the 10:10 campaign seeks to make real changes. While governments constantly speak about the need to reach long term targets and the need for real improvements in far off dates like 2050, 10:10 asks for change to start in the very near future starting January 1st 2010. By signing up, 10:10 supporters will also help the efforts of the Government to Seal the Deal in the important climate change talks in Copenhagen on December 7th.
How does it work? By gathering pledges from people, businesses, organisations, schools and colleges to reduce 10% of their carbon emissions in the year 2010, 10:10 firstly seeks people’s commitment. It seeks the support from people and industries who know the importance of stopping runaway climate change and who know it is now time for us all to make simple changes to our habits and lifestyle patterns.
Sign up! By signing up on the website www.1010.ie you add your name to a list of hundreds of others committed to saving our planet. This commitment can be accompanied by a donation which can be made online. The funds raised by the campaign will support the ongoing work of the campaign which is set go well beyond the year 2010.You will receive confirmation of your registration and will receive access to resources to make your 10% cut as easy as pie.You will be able to calculate your carbon footprint, or the impact you are having on the planet by way of your household use of energy, your annual travel and other lifestyle habits. You will get emailed tips and advice on how you can reduce your carbon footprint in a way that is best suited to your home, football club, business or college. You will be able to download reminder charts for your fridge and can learn about the different ways cutting your carbon can also save you big money.
The New Year will kick off with national launch events all around the country and the end of 2010 will see an awards night for the greenest business, school, university and person. See www.1010.ie to sign up today!
*Please note the website is still under construction but sign up today to get your self ready for the start of a new, greener you in 2010.** VOICE's Ciara Aucoin stands left of Evelyn Cusack, Duncan Stewart, Minister John Gormely, Charles Stanley- Smith of An Taisce and Tony Lowes of Friends of the Irish Environment at the launch of 10:10 at the Dáil on October 29th.
