The Big Ask campaign is about people across Europe questioning whether their governments are doing enough to tackle climate change.

 Through The Big Ask in the UK, run by Friends of the Earth(FOE), almost 200,000 people contacted their MPs to demand a climate change law – leading to the passing of the world’s first Climate Bill.

 In Ireland FOE also has a campaign to get the Oireachtas to pass a law that ensures Ireland reduces its greenhouse gas emissions by 3% a year. This law needs to be in place before the crucial UN Climate summit in Copenhagen in December 2009 in order for Ireland to have a strong and credible negotiating position at the summit.

 Green Party delegates overwhelmingly adopted a motion at their 2009 party conference calling for introduction of a climate law and the Labour Party moved the first stage of their Climate Change  Bill in the Dail on 5^th February 2009.

 A climate law puts in place a strong framework that means all of government and all future governments must consider climate in their decisions. We know what measures are needed to reduce our carbon emissions – renewable energy, public transport, sustainable agriculture –but  we need a law to make them happen.

What you can do. 

FOE has a postcard campaign aimed at TDs and the Taoiseach asking the  polititions to “change the law, not the climate”and you are invited to send postcards to your local representatives to let them know you care. Don't underestimate the importance of using you voice, or the power of a concerted, co-ordinated citizenry to make a difference.

For postcards email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01-6394652.

 www.foe.ie 

Watch The Big Ask film clip - a short and powerful commercial - and send the link to friends : www.thebigask.eu/the-big-ask-film-clip