Radical action on climate change risks ‘destroying the lives of those on the planet', Newstalk Breakfast presenter Ciara Kelly has claimed. 

The campaign group Extinction Rebellion has announced a campaign of civil disobedience to demand the Government decarbonise the economy quicker. 

The group told Newstalk Breakfast that it planned on “attacking polluters” and later daubed a black substance over the logo of BlackRock Investment Management in Dublin. 

Extinction Rebellion Ireland have held a protest outside the offices of BlackRock Investment Management in Ballsbridge, calling for the company to stop all new investment in fossil fuels.

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Such behaviour does not impress Ciara. 

“I’m not a mad fan of Extinction Rebellion and the reason is this, that it’s a very difficult issue,” she said. 

“Climate change… is [the issue of our times] and it is the one we are going to have to grapple with and deal with. 

“But it is not easy to do because we have to balance this. 

“We have to balance the needs of those of us already on the planet versus those of us who will likely be on the planet in the future.

"That’s what it basically boils down to." 

Future

Ciara continued by saying the needs of the present need to be balanced against the needs of the future.

“You can’t completely discount the needs of those of us who are on the planet currently who have economies and lives and a quality of life, based around, largely, fossil fuel economies," she said. 

“So, the transition is difficult; anyone who tells you otherwise is stupid and wrong and misinforming you. 

“It doesn’t mean that we don’t have to do it - but it doesn’t mean that we can do kneejerk things because otherwise, we are going to destroy the lives of those on the planet for the sake of those who may be on the planet in the future. 

“So, it is very, very difficult and I do believe that Governments get it and I do believe that Governments are moving in the right direction." 

Protesters outside the Department of the Taoiseach during an Extinction Rebellion (XR) demonstration in Dublin, Ireland.

Politicians across the political spectrum warn the looming dangers of climate change and Ciara says she believes them when they talk about change.  

“Maybe it isn’t fast enough for some people’s liking - but it is an enormous task and it is difficult," she said. 

“I personally find people throwing cans of beans at works of art, this type of behaviour, I find it immature and unhelpful.

“I don’t think we need to put it on the agenda - I think it’s on the agenda.” 

Ciara’s co-presenter, Shane Coleman, defended the right of activists to be bold. 

“If issues are of a significant importance - serious importance - then you do have to shake things up a bit,” he said. 

“And if global warming and the future of the planet isn’t one of those issues, well I don’t know what is.”