Society is moving in a 'neo-puritan fashion' when it comes to combating climate change.
That is according to Newstalk Breakfast host Ciara Kelly, who was responding to new ESRI research which found young people want more radical climate action.
They want to see domestic flights banned in Ireland and car-free zones in town and city centres.
Nine-in-ten young people surveyed said that protecting the environment was very important.
Ciara said she will do what she has to.
"I feel that society is moving in a neo-puritan fashion," she said.
"I do not like it and it does not sit well with me, and it is not something that my personality goes along with.
"I balk at neo-puritanism; I balk at all forms of puritanism, to be honest."
'I'm not that person'
Ciara said she would be against imposing major restrictions on people.
"I said this about COVID and I say this now about climate: I will do whatever is necessary - whatever is asked of me and whatever is necessary - to move us in a good way in terms of addressing climate change.
"I am not one of the people that will wear a hairshirt and beat myself up and say 'No I'll never get on a plane again, no I'll never eat meat again'.
"I'm not that person".
Ciara said she won't be top of the class on this.
"If ultimately that's what we have to do in the end, then that's fine - but I don't really enjoy this 'I'm the best boy in class, I'm the school prefect' crap," she said.
"I don't like it, I don't have it in me.
"I will cut my coat according to my cloth, I will do what I have to do.
"I wasn't a good Catholic back in the day and I'm not good at this either.
"I balk at restrictions in all forms.
"I'll do what I have to do, but I won't be sucking it up and putting up my hand and going 'Please sir, let me be the first to live on chickpeas'," she added.
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