10:10 is an ambitious project to unite every sector of society behind one simple idea – that by working together a 10% cut in carbon emissions can by achieved in 2010. The initiative was first launched in the UK, but has now been introduced to Ireland too.
The 10:10 campaign is designed both to answer the call for immediate action and to offer individuals and organisations a meaningful way of taking it. It is the brainchild of Franny Armstrong, the film-maker behind The Age of Stupid. By signing up, individuals, churches, schools and businesses commit to doing their best to cut emissions by 10% by the end of 2010, precisely the sort of deep, quick cut that scientists say is needed.
Cutting 10% in one year is a bold target, but an achievable one, and is in line with what scientists say we need over the next 18 months. We now know for certain that unless we act quickly to reduce our use of dirty fossil fuels, humanity will face terrible problems in the years to come.
Politicians have so far failed to do what needs to be done, so it’s time for ordinary people to step in and show that we’re ready to defend our children’s futures. It’s now or never for the climate.
10:10 organisers say the initiative is a perfect opportunity to discover what’s possible when we work together. It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of a huge problem like climate change, but by uniting everyone around immediate, effective and achievable action, 10:10 enables us all to make a meaningful difference.
They admit that cutting the entire country’s domestic emissions over a 12-month period is going to take the enthusiasm, imagination, creativity and ingenuity of some of the best minds.
The UK parliament recently held a three-hour 10:10 debate about whether to sign up all the Government buildings and all the public sector (schools, hospitals, prisons, army etc) to 10:10. 96% of MPs were contacted by eco-activists in the 48 hours before the vote (almost 10,000 emails and 600 phone calls). Although the vote was lost by 297 to 226 votes, a Government amendment was passed which welcomed the 10:10 campaign and committed to more effort to cut emissions.
Those from the UK wanting to sign up should go to www.1010uk.org.
Anyone from the Republic of Ireland wishing to join, should go to the new Irish website, www.1010.ie, launched recently by Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley.