DUBLIN

THE ELECTION OF Catherine Connolly as President of Ireland has led to a call for the traditional planting of a tree by visitors to the Presidential residence, Aras an Uachtarain, to be supercharged from one to one hundred trees, to help fight climate change.

“President-elect Connolly is a champion of the fight against climate change, so one thing she can take a real lead in is planting trees,” said an activist who wished to remain anonymous. “Despite previous efforts supported by the Presidency, Ireland is still hopelessly short of trees, and as trees produce oxygen and eat carbon dioxide, an island full of them would surely act as a bulwark against the warming of the planet. Much of our ancient forest cover went to the Royal Navy and is now at the bottom of the ocean, so we’ve a lot to make up if Ireland is to turn the world’s climate around. If we are to forestall global warming, the new President is going to have to get her visitors to get the lead out and plant some decent forestry when they come here. At least a hundred trees per visitor, maybe more, depending on how long they can stay. It’s going to mean a trip to the hills for everyone which will mean more flexible security arrangements. But we do that to save the planet.”