We need to build a campaign against the carbon tax at the same time as raising the need for a Green New Deal with socialist policies which would actually set Ireland on the road to being a net zero carbon emitter by 2030. 

Speakers:
Paul Murphy TD for RISE
Brid Smith TD for People Before Profit
Ben Lennon from Labour for a Green New Deal

Facebook event here.

The carbon tax will hit working class people much harder than the wealthy. This is just the start of a series of rises as the government has promised to increase the tax from from €26 a tonne now from next year to €80 a tonne by 2080.

Not only is the tax regressive, it will be an excuse for the government not to take the action necessary to combat climate catastrophe. Internationally, fossil fuel companies have increasingly become promoters of carbon taxes because they want to avoid action which would threaten their profits. 

A Green New Deal would include:

1️⃣ Right to transport 🚋 - invest in a frequent, free and green public transport system accessible to all. 

2️⃣ Change how we do agriculture to make it sustainable for all 🌱 - farmers and workers, not the beef barons.

3️⃣ Workers can’t pay the price for climate change 👩‍🔧 - invest in a green jobs programme in renewable energy, constructing & retro-fitting homes, and expanded public services.

4️⃣ Introduce a 4-day week with no loss of pay 📆 - give everyone a higher quality of life and reduce emissions by up to 16%.

5️⃣ Take the power and wealth from the capitalist elite 🌍 - bring into democratic public ownership the banks and major corporations so we can use this to plan our new eco-socialist society.