Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I congratulate Senator Bacik and the Independent group for their courage and initiative in bringing forward this Climate Protection Bill. It is a Bill that one might expect from the Government rather than the Independent group, but there we go. The initiative is coming from this side of the House. There is now a real opportunity for the Government to show that it is serious about tackling global warming.

It is clear the entire international community needs to take key strategic decisions in climate policy over the next years if dangerous climate changes are to be prevented. In this context, we in Ireland need to play our part. I welcome this Bill as a first step in that direction. Dangerous climate change can only be prevented if climate protection targets are set and reached. There is a strong body of evidence on global warming and its effects. For example, in the course of the last century, there have been higher temperatures — in the order of one to one and a half degrees. Closer to home, we have noticed changes in weather patterns and water. Global warming is already altering precipitation patterns, affecting our water supply and agriculture. For example, in Galway this year, this led to much local speculation about the presence of cryptosporidium in our drinking water.

At a global level, we have also seen the effect of the spread of disease, where many species, such as mosquitoes and rodents, are now altering their ranges in response to the changing climate. Warmer climates allow these animals to move further north and at higher elevations. They can bring tropical diseases with them, such as malaria and other fevers.

We have very good reason to act. This will mean considerable change to current practices but it can also mean exciting opportunities for us as a nation. Therefore, there is a job of education to be done by the Minister because change can mean fear. To bring about this culture of change, I ask the Minister to be practical in his advice and guidelines in helping the consumer, manufacturer, farmer and homeowner to own this change.

If we are serious, it is time to set up and resource energy offices at local government level to provide for climate protection proofing locally and, as Senator O'Toole noted, to build in incentives for good practice, such as tax breaks, for any organisation that reduces emissions beyond required targets. These incentives would mean a win-win scenario for the economy and the environment and for farmers whereby they could gain revenue from selling greenhouse gas reduction credits. For example, farmers and foresters could grow these credits by shifting to conservation tillage, planting trees and growing bio-fuel crops to produce low carbon alternative fuels instead of fossil fuels to power our homes and vehicles. These incentives would encourage car manufacturers to switch to very fuel-efficient cars. At a financial level, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, along with his Government colleagues, should consider lower vehicle registration tax for environmentally friendly cars. People will act when there are genuine incentives to do so. As Senator Bacik noted, transport plays a huge role in high emissions.

The approach I am recommending is one of incentives. While we certainly need to be stringent in our penalties if we are not reaching our targets, when we are talking about the ordinary citizen and business, we need to provide incentives. Ultimately, the aim of climate protection legislation should be to make it easier for the citizen, farmer and industry to be good for the environment and planet Earth, thus enabling us to hand on an environment we have cared for to the next generation.