Dear John,

I’ve got some updates on the Climate Law: some thank yous, and an urgent call to action. Let me start with the thank yous. If you’re one of the people who took action for a stronger Climate Bill last year….well, you’re amazing! When the first draft was published last autumn it was very disappointing. I felt pretty disheartened. But Stop Climate Chaos supporters - along with many more groups, organisations and activists - were not going to let that weak Bill go unchanged! You sprang into action to demand better - and it had a big impact! Whether you took an e-action, called your TD or took part in the TD Lobby in December, your action created huge pressure for a better Climate Law.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action whose job it was to scrutinize the draft Climate Law really felt the eyes of the public on them! This Committee produced a very good report, with a list of recommendations to strengthen the law. This was not guaranteed - so it was a big win! Now we must ensure that the Government listens to the Committee’s recommendations. And with the Government making its final decisions on the law in the coming days we have very little time to act. So could you join us for a Call-a-thon tomorrow, Thursday 18th February? We’ll make calls to our TDs together, asking them to do all they can to ensure the Government listens to the Committee on Climate Action’s recommendations.

So will you join us?

Yes I’ll register for the Call-a-thon now

There’s an option to join the Call-a-thon from 12.30 -13.30 or from 17.00 -18.00 tomorrow. Guidance on what to say to your TD if you get to speak to them will be provided so you just need to turn up - with a phone on hand.

So will you sign up for Thursday’s Call-a-thon now?

I'll sign up now

John, with the Government now making its final decisions on the Climate Law, we’ve become concerned about attempts to water it down. The proposals to strengthen the Climate Law seem to be under attack from two sides: unelected officials and some Government TDs.

Behind closed doors senior officials from all departments can comment on the draft Climate Law - and there’s a risk they’ll push the Government to reject some of the Committee on Climate Action's recommendations. At the same time, an increasing number of Fine Gael TDs seem to be wondering aloud whether all of these recommendations have to go into the Climate Law. So it’s crucial that we keep pushing hard to make the Climate Law stronger. And to keep it strong.

That’s why this Call-a-thon is so important. So will you join us tomorrow?

Yes, I’ll join the Call-a-thon tomorrow

Can’t make it on Thursday? Don’t worry - you could call your TDs yourself. The sooner you call them the better - as Government decisions on the Climate Law could be finalized any day now. Simply call the Dáil Switchboard on 01 618 3000 and give the name of your TD, asking to be put through to their office. If you don’t get through to your TD directly you can leave a message with whoever answers the phone. Or leave a voicemail. You can keep it brief and polite- ask them to take steps to ensure the Government listens to the Joint Committee on Climate Action’s recommendations to improve the Climate Bill. So will you make some calls today? Here's the switchboard number again: 01 618 3000.

With huge thanks,

Áine

Mobilisation Coordinator

Stop Climate Chaos

P.S. As well as joining the Call-a-thon (or calling your TDs yourself) you could also send them an email using this e-action from our member organisation, Friends of the Earth. Doing this will make your calls to TDs even easier - as you can simply ask them if they got your email. The direct link to the e- action is https://www.foe.ie/takeaction/crunch-time-for-the-climate-law/