Sir,- Last week, the Government cut the cost of diesel and petrol in response to soaring prices. Crisis after crisis, the pattern remains the same: politicians respond with temporary fixes while avoiding fundamental change.
The result is growing energy insecurity alongside fuel, transport, food and health poverty, rising inequality, and, of course, delayed climate action.
But what if we used this moment differently? Not every solution requires years of infrastructure. While transitioning to greener energy won’t happen overnight, car-free days in our major cities could be implemented tomorrow. Temporary cycle lanes could appear next week.
A default 30km/h urban speed limit (already promised by the Government) could be introduced immediately. This is not radical. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s the logical thing to do. What is missing is political will.
RM Block
Imagine streets returned to people: safer, quieter, and healthier neighbourhoods. Reduced fuel consumption. All achievable now, not in some distant future.
It is time to change of our own volition, breaking our harmful reliance on fossil fuels rather than subsidising their continued use through yet another price cut.
Let’s stop sticking our heads in the sand and instead strive to create a healthier, greener, fairer, and more resilient Ireland for all. – Yours, etc,
OLA LØKKEN NORDRUM,
Beggars Bush,
Dublin 4.
