The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has expressed its support and solidarity for student climate activists taking action tomorrow. The Union’s position was clearly expressed in an emergency resolution at its Annual Congress in Killarney last month.
The Union issued the following statement today:
‘We support students in drawing attention to the crisis of climate change. Their actions are entirely understandable.
Put simply, they are demanding action on a threat to the very existence of the planet.
In doing so, students are showing leadership on an issue that has been routinely ignored by policy makers here and elsewhere. Their activism as concerned citizens of this planet bodes well for the future in more ways than one.
For its part, the Government needs to prove that the declaration of a climate emergency is anything more than a cynical, empty exercise by bringing in concrete, tangible measures that demonstrate real commitment at this most critical of times. If they still fail to understand the urgency of this emergency, they should remember that the students protesting today are the voters and leaders of tomorrow and that they will not forget their shameful inaction.’