Government needs to start 'walking the walking' instead of just 'talking the talk' when it comes to climate action.

That was the message at a major climate protest in Dublin city centre today.

The Fridays for Future/Extinction Rebellion protest demanded real action from the government to address the climate crisis.

These protesters told Newstalk they want action - not words.

A sit-down climate protest on Grafton Street. Image: Aoife Kearns/Newstalk

“I think it is obviously a really important cause for everyone to come out and show their support,” said one.

“There are some great speakers as well. People who are really educated in the matter, so I think it is great that we are all marching through Grafton Street.”

“There is not much action going on, it is sort of all posturing,” said another.

“I mean governments all go over there and say a lot of words and act like they mean it, but then they come back home and no change is made.”

Graffiti protesting climate change was scrawled on the wall outside Leinster House today, 11-11-2022. Image: Leah Farell/RollingNews

TCD Drama and Theatre Studies student Martha Cosgrove holding a sign saying "Tick Tock Less Talk" outside Dáil Eireann, 11-11-22. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

The protest was organised as the COP27 Climate Conference continues in Egypt and the day after Ireland experienced its warmest November night on record.

Focusing on the ‘climate clock,’ which warns that the world is nearly out of time if we are to prevent runaway climate change, the protesters have put forward a list of ten urgent demands to the Government.

The demands include the permanent display of Climate Clocks on landmark buildings and the immediate signing of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

They also want Ireland to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, protect at least 30% of our waters as marine protected areas and codify ecocide as a crime.

Clare Kelly, Associate Professor of Psychology TCD at the climate protest, 11-11-22. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.

The climate protest on Grafton Street, 11-11-2022. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.

BRING A CLOCK WITH YOU!
🔁Share: #COP27 - IT's TIME TO ACT! PROTEST
FRIDAY, 11th NOV. @ 12:00PM (starts at Trinity College)
Join #ExtinctionRebellion, Fridays for Future @SchoolStrikesIE, @tcddublin students and march for the #climate.#ClimateEmergency #ClimateActionNow pic.twitter.com/kFjIvhx2tG

— Extinction Rebellion Ireland (@ExtinctRebelsIE) November 6, 2022