Welcome to 2020: President Higgins calls for unity on climate change
The global community needs to come together to tackle climate change in 2020, according to the President of Ireland.
Michael D Higgins made the remark in his Christmas and New Year message, describing the efforts of young people in highlighting the issue as “uplifting”.
Mr Higgins took the opportunity of ushering in the new year to wish people “hope and possibility” but also to warn that “we must do much more to avoid catastrophe”.
“If we are to succeed in meeting this greatest challenge, we must all act as a global community,” he said.
Away from warnings and concerns, for many, it was a night of fireworks and fun.
In Dublin, it was a big night with thousands taking part in the New Year Festival organised by Fáilte Ireland and Dublin City Council at Custom House Quay.
Walking on Cars headlined the countdown concert and were joined by the likes of Ash and Aimee.
Elsewhere, a special lights show formed part of an eye-catching choreographed display that brought some of the city’s most eye-catching buildings to life.
In Limerick, revellers enjoyed a fireworks display over the River Shannon and, as always, in Co Kerry, the streets of Dingle were packed with party-goers enjoying music all night.
There were no official public events organised in Cork, though that didn’t stop thousands from heading out in search of something to do.
Globally, the party had kickstarted in Christmas Island and Samoa and rippled through the world from there.
Millions bid farewell to 2019 and, indeed, the decade, to herald in something new and the possibilities that might come with it.
In Australia, raging wildfires led to some communities cancelling their new year fireworks celebrations, but Sydney’s popular display over its famous harbourfront went ahead as normal. The city was granted an exemption to a total fireworks ban in place there and elsewhere to prevent new wildfires.
In New Zealand, the country’s major cities bid farewell to a challenging year for the country. Half a ton of fireworks burst from Auckland’s Sky Tower to herald the start of 2020.
London’s annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display celebrated the city’s hosting of several key games in the Euro 2020 football tournament.
Speaking ahead of the celebrations, London mayor Sadiq Khan said the display would be celebrating the city’s “key” role in hosting the championship.
The pyrotechnics show featured more than 12,000 fireworks, with the display being set to a soundtrack “inspired by London and Europe”.
Big Ben’s chimes sounded the start of the display despite them being silent during 2019 year while renovation work was underway.
In Edinburgh, the Hogmanay celebration was mired in criticism of the organisers who were accused of causing unnecessary confusion for residents, many of whom believed they would need to apply for permits to access their own homes on the night.
Underbelly, which also organises the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, apologised for the confusion.
Later, it was all eyes on New York, when over a million people packed into Times Square for one of the most eye-catching new year’s celebrations in the world.
The iconic ball drop — some 5.4 tonnes of Waterford crystal — marked the end of 2019 and the start of a new decade, with a soundtrack provided by Post Malone, BTS, and Alanis Morissette.
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