Ireland, first country to completely stop funding fossil fuels

PH: Eri Sánchez

While I write this post from the Science Gallery in Dublin, Ireland, we are really surprised with this country green policies. Even when some citizens are still complaining, as far as we can see it's a place that really protects the environment and it's doing as much as they can to fight against climate change. 

A good proof is that this Green Island is set to become the first country in the world to completely stop funding fossil fuels.

Thanks to a new bill recently passed by the Irish Parliament, the law would halt public funding of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas from the €8 billion (US$8.6 billion) Ireland Strategic Investment Fund.

"This principle of ethical financing is a symbol to these global corporations that their continual manipulation of climate science, denial of the existence of climate change, and their controversial lobbying practices of politicians around the world is no longer tolerated," Deputy Thomas Pringle, who introduced the bill, told the media.

"We cannot accept their actions while millions of poor people in underdeveloped nations bear the brunt of climate change forces as they experience famine, mass emigration, and civil unrest as a result."

At this stage, the bill still has to be signed into law after review. If it passes, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund would have to drop all investments in fossil fuel companies over the next five years.

Of course, this is one of Ireland's great news. Please, keep connected to all #WeAreClimate latest articles reporting directly from Ireland, through our blog.