Elections

Speaking to candidates about environmental and biodiversity issues is vital in order to ensure that those in councils and departments know that this is an issue that the public want to be addressed, and to understand which candidate is going to truly work for a sustainable future.

 

General Elections 2020

There are lots of resources to help you bring climate into the election conversation. We have compiled some of them below.

 

Posters

Download the posters from last year or these #IVoteNature posters to display in your window for canvassers and neighbours to see. Download PDF_Posters_GE2020

 

What to Ask Candidates and Party Leaders about Climate Change

The Stop Climate Chaos Coalition has prepared a set of key questions for people to ask candidates and political parties about climate change during the election campaign.

They can be downloaded as a PDF from the Stop Climate Chaos website: www.stopclimatechaos.ie

 

One Future campaign – Faster and Fairer Climate Action

One Future is the people’s campaign for faster and fairer climate action #ClimateVote2020 #GE2020

Read their Key climate policy asks.

Support these asks on the ground by using their flyers and posters. Question your candidates. A draft version of the questions people can ask candidates on climate is ready to download and use now.

Support these asks online by signing up your community group or individual to show your support for the campaign here.

Talk to your neighbours. Join or lead a canvas with the help of resources from this campaign. Read more here.

Three independent experts have also analysed and rated the parties manifestos against the 9 policy demands for Faster and Fairer Climate Action. All info can be seen here, from the rating system to the breakdown of marks in each category: https://www.onefuture.ie/manifestos/

 

 

 

Manifestos for Climate

Birdwatch Ireland: A Manifesto for Nature – Proposals to address the Climate and Biodiversity Emergency in Ireland

Environmental Pillar: The Environmental Pillar – a coalition of over 30 national environmental NGOs – have outlined a 10-point blueprint in their Biodiversity Manifesto for election candidates to follow if they are serious about protecting nature and turning the tide on climate in the next Dail.

Our 10 point blueprint for all parties and candidates to follow:
1.      Increased funding through the carbon tax to support a Green New Deal for Ireland
2.      Increased support for agencies and NGOs working to protect our natural world
3.      Creation of a unified biodiversity and climate Department under one cabinet Minister
4.      Commitment to support marine and freshwater biodiversity
5.      Transform to a low-carbon public, active and vehicle-sharing transport model
6.      Kick-start a circular economy revolution in line with the European Green Deal
7.      Reform farming & forestry for close to nature management systems, biodiversity restoration & permanent native woodland creation
8.      Get tough on construction industry impact on the natural world
9.      Ensure wide access to justice rights on environmental matters
10.  Ensure that our borderless biodiversity on the island of Ireland is Brexit-proofed
All ten concepts are fleshed out in our manifesto available here: https://tinyurl.com/t5amxby

 

Local Hustings: Hear from the candidates directly at local Q&As.

Here are some of the local hustings that have been organised.

If you know of any that should be included in this list please get in touch at len@ien.ie.

Wicklow

Co Wicklow PPN in collaboration with Disability Federation Ireland is running Meet the Candidate Events as follows

• Friday 31st January, 11am to 1pm – Cornerstone Church, Main Street, Bray (church opposite the Royal Hotel)
• Wed 5th February, 8pm to 10pm – Glenart College, Arklow

The following Meet the Candidate Events are also being organised by PPN member groups:

• Wed 29th January, 8pm – Glenview Hotel (organised by Delgany Community Council)
• Tues 4th February, 8.15pm – The Avon, Blessington (organised by the Community Pool for West Wicklow Group)

Leitrim

Inviting candidates from the Sligo/Leitrim, South Donegal, and North Roscommon constituency.

General Election Husting with Election Candidates Pledge4Climate

Monday January 27th, 8pm – Bee Park, Manorhamilton, Leitrim.

Click here to see Facebook event page for more details.

 

 

 

 

Local Elections 2019

Download a complete ‘How to’ guide with sample tweets and examples of questions to ask your candidates here.

Below are some posters that you can hang in your window, so that even if you aren’t home when canvassers come knocking, they will know that you want to see climate being addressed in local and national policy and action.

Download A4 posters here.

Download A5 posters here.

How to use:

  1. Print off your chosen poster and display in your window for candidates to see.
  2. When canvassers come to the door, ask them what their candidate will do for the climate if they are elected. Have a conversation with them about environmental issues that you care about.
  3. For added reach, post a picture of your door and poster online, and ask your candidates how they will #Act4Climate.

OR reach more people through individual or group action:

  1. Print off a number of posters
  2. Brainstorm some questions related to local environmental issues
  3. Write some example questions that people in the area can ask candidates
  4. Go door to door and have conversations with your neighbours.
  5. Ask them if they would like a poster to display in their window, a list of example questions, and if they would ask their candidates about environmental issues when they come knocking.