Fossil fuel divestment activists displayed a sign outside the lower house of Ireland's legislature. (Photo: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland/Trocaire/350.org)
Jul 12, 2018
Climate activists across the globe celebrated Thursday after the lower house of the Irish legislature passed a divestment bill with support from all parties, effectively ensuring that Ireland will become the first nation in the world to fully divest public money from the fossil fuel industry.
\u201cCelebrations outside Leinster House as the D\u00e1il says Yes to Divest from Fossil Fuels! #FossilFree #Divestment\u201d— Tr\u00f3caire (@Tr\u00f3caire) 1531408822
"This week, packed with divestment announcements from churches, universities, and now the first full divestment by a national government, is sending a clear signal that breaking the ties with fossil fuel companies is becoming the new norm: investing in them is no longer economically viable nor morally right," responded Nicolo Wojewoda of 350.org Europe. "The only way to meaningfully address the climate crisis is to stop funneling money into the fossil fuel industry and instead to support the momentous rise of renewable energy."
"The groundswell that's been building around the planet for divestment derives its power from everyone working together toward the same end. It's all one big fight. And we're winning more and more of that fight," declared 350.org co-founder Bill McKibben.
"Irish activists have done amazing work to make this happen--I've watched with awe as activists from environmental groups and the Catholic social justice movement have transformed the debate in the country," McKibben added, turning to Twitter to highlight a few key groups:
\u201cThe landmark divestment debate in the Irish Parliament this a.m. was full of tributes to the campaigners @Trocaire, who deserve so much credit (Hi Lorna Gold). Also @SCC_Ireland @foeireland and the amazing student divestment campaigners from Galway, Trinity and Queens Belfast\u201d— Bill McKibben (@Bill McKibben) 1531407861
Calling the vote a "massive victory," author and activist Naomi Klein tweeted:
Breaking my two-weeks off social media (so far) to amplify this massive victory for our movements (not to mention our hopes for a habitable planet). Way to go Ireland!!!! https://t.co/19CFtSeVKy
-- Naomi Klein (@NaomiAKlein) July 12, 2018
The Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill, passed Thursday by the Dail Eireann, mandates that the EUR8.9 billion ($10.4 billion) Ireland Strategic Investment Fund divest all investments in coal, oil, peat, and gas "as soon as practicable" but within five years, and bars future investments in the industry. The bill, the Guardianreports, "is expected to pass rapidly through the upper house, meaning it could become law before the end of the year."
"The [divestment] movement is highlighting the need to stop investing in the expansion of a global industry which must be brought into managed decline if catastrophic climate change is to be averted," Thomas Pringle, the lawmaker who introduced the bill, told the Guardian. "Ireland by divesting is sending a clear message that the Irish public and the international community are ready to think and act beyond narrow short term vested interests."
"For once, Ireland is a genuine climate leader, not a laggard," reacted Friends of the Earth Ireland director Oisin Coghlan. Last month, Climate Action Network Europe's Off Targetreport ranked Ireland as the second-worst country in the European Union in terms of taking steps to address the global crisis.
\u201cThe D\u00e1il has just passed @ThomasPringleTD's #Divestment Bill, to make Ireland the first state in the world to move to pull all its sovereign funds out of fossil fuels. For once, Ireland is a genuine climate leader, not a laggard. Onward, in hope, to build a #FossilFree future.\u201d— Ois\u00edn Coghlan (@Ois\u00edn Coghlan) 1531407702
Global Legal Action Network's Gerry Liston, who drafted the measure, emphasized the need for other nations to make similar moves.
"Governments will not meet their obligations under the Paris agreement on climate change if they continue to financially sustain the fossil fuel industry," Liston said. "Countries the world over must now urgently follow Ireland's lead and divest from fossil fuels."
Join Us: News for people demanding a better world
Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place. We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference. Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today! |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Climate activists across the globe celebrated Thursday after the lower house of the Irish legislature passed a divestment bill with support from all parties, effectively ensuring that Ireland will become the first nation in the world to fully divest public money from the fossil fuel industry.
\u201cCelebrations outside Leinster House as the D\u00e1il says Yes to Divest from Fossil Fuels! #FossilFree #Divestment\u201d— Tr\u00f3caire (@Tr\u00f3caire) 1531408822
"This week, packed with divestment announcements from churches, universities, and now the first full divestment by a national government, is sending a clear signal that breaking the ties with fossil fuel companies is becoming the new norm: investing in them is no longer economically viable nor morally right," responded Nicolo Wojewoda of 350.org Europe. "The only way to meaningfully address the climate crisis is to stop funneling money into the fossil fuel industry and instead to support the momentous rise of renewable energy."
"The groundswell that's been building around the planet for divestment derives its power from everyone working together toward the same end. It's all one big fight. And we're winning more and more of that fight," declared 350.org co-founder Bill McKibben.
"Irish activists have done amazing work to make this happen--I've watched with awe as activists from environmental groups and the Catholic social justice movement have transformed the debate in the country," McKibben added, turning to Twitter to highlight a few key groups:
\u201cThe landmark divestment debate in the Irish Parliament this a.m. was full of tributes to the campaigners @Trocaire, who deserve so much credit (Hi Lorna Gold). Also @SCC_Ireland @foeireland and the amazing student divestment campaigners from Galway, Trinity and Queens Belfast\u201d— Bill McKibben (@Bill McKibben) 1531407861
Calling the vote a "massive victory," author and activist Naomi Klein tweeted:
Breaking my two-weeks off social media (so far) to amplify this massive victory for our movements (not to mention our hopes for a habitable planet). Way to go Ireland!!!! https://t.co/19CFtSeVKy
-- Naomi Klein (@NaomiAKlein) July 12, 2018
The Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill, passed Thursday by the Dail Eireann, mandates that the EUR8.9 billion ($10.4 billion) Ireland Strategic Investment Fund divest all investments in coal, oil, peat, and gas "as soon as practicable" but within five years, and bars future investments in the industry. The bill, the Guardianreports, "is expected to pass rapidly through the upper house, meaning it could become law before the end of the year."
"The [divestment] movement is highlighting the need to stop investing in the expansion of a global industry which must be brought into managed decline if catastrophic climate change is to be averted," Thomas Pringle, the lawmaker who introduced the bill, told the Guardian. "Ireland by divesting is sending a clear message that the Irish public and the international community are ready to think and act beyond narrow short term vested interests."
"For once, Ireland is a genuine climate leader, not a laggard," reacted Friends of the Earth Ireland director Oisin Coghlan. Last month, Climate Action Network Europe's Off Targetreport ranked Ireland as the second-worst country in the European Union in terms of taking steps to address the global crisis.
\u201cThe D\u00e1il has just passed @ThomasPringleTD's #Divestment Bill, to make Ireland the first state in the world to move to pull all its sovereign funds out of fossil fuels. For once, Ireland is a genuine climate leader, not a laggard. Onward, in hope, to build a #FossilFree future.\u201d— Ois\u00edn Coghlan (@Ois\u00edn Coghlan) 1531407702
Global Legal Action Network's Gerry Liston, who drafted the measure, emphasized the need for other nations to make similar moves.
"Governments will not meet their obligations under the Paris agreement on climate change if they continue to financially sustain the fossil fuel industry," Liston said. "Countries the world over must now urgently follow Ireland's lead and divest from fossil fuels."
Climate activists across the globe celebrated Thursday after the lower house of the Irish legislature passed a divestment bill with support from all parties, effectively ensuring that Ireland will become the first nation in the world to fully divest public money from the fossil fuel industry.
\u201cCelebrations outside Leinster House as the D\u00e1il says Yes to Divest from Fossil Fuels! #FossilFree #Divestment\u201d— Tr\u00f3caire (@Tr\u00f3caire) 1531408822
"This week, packed with divestment announcements from churches, universities, and now the first full divestment by a national government, is sending a clear signal that breaking the ties with fossil fuel companies is becoming the new norm: investing in them is no longer economically viable nor morally right," responded Nicolo Wojewoda of 350.org Europe. "The only way to meaningfully address the climate crisis is to stop funneling money into the fossil fuel industry and instead to support the momentous rise of renewable energy."
"The groundswell that's been building around the planet for divestment derives its power from everyone working together toward the same end. It's all one big fight. And we're winning more and more of that fight," declared 350.org co-founder Bill McKibben.
"Irish activists have done amazing work to make this happen--I've watched with awe as activists from environmental groups and the Catholic social justice movement have transformed the debate in the country," McKibben added, turning to Twitter to highlight a few key groups:
\u201cThe landmark divestment debate in the Irish Parliament this a.m. was full of tributes to the campaigners @Trocaire, who deserve so much credit (Hi Lorna Gold). Also @SCC_Ireland @foeireland and the amazing student divestment campaigners from Galway, Trinity and Queens Belfast\u201d— Bill McKibben (@Bill McKibben) 1531407861
Calling the vote a "massive victory," author and activist Naomi Klein tweeted:
Breaking my two-weeks off social media (so far) to amplify this massive victory for our movements (not to mention our hopes for a habitable planet). Way to go Ireland!!!! https://t.co/19CFtSeVKy
-- Naomi Klein (@NaomiAKlein) July 12, 2018
The Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill, passed Thursday by the Dail Eireann, mandates that the EUR8.9 billion ($10.4 billion) Ireland Strategic Investment Fund divest all investments in coal, oil, peat, and gas "as soon as practicable" but within five years, and bars future investments in the industry. The bill, the Guardianreports, "is expected to pass rapidly through the upper house, meaning it could become law before the end of the year."
"The [divestment] movement is highlighting the need to stop investing in the expansion of a global industry which must be brought into managed decline if catastrophic climate change is to be averted," Thomas Pringle, the lawmaker who introduced the bill, told the Guardian. "Ireland by divesting is sending a clear message that the Irish public and the international community are ready to think and act beyond narrow short term vested interests."
"For once, Ireland is a genuine climate leader, not a laggard," reacted Friends of the Earth Ireland director Oisin Coghlan. Last month, Climate Action Network Europe's Off Targetreport ranked Ireland as the second-worst country in the European Union in terms of taking steps to address the global crisis.
\u201cThe D\u00e1il has just passed @ThomasPringleTD's #Divestment Bill, to make Ireland the first state in the world to move to pull all its sovereign funds out of fossil fuels. For once, Ireland is a genuine climate leader, not a laggard. Onward, in hope, to build a #FossilFree future.\u201d— Ois\u00edn Coghlan (@Ois\u00edn Coghlan) 1531407702
Global Legal Action Network's Gerry Liston, who drafted the measure, emphasized the need for other nations to make similar moves.
"Governments will not meet their obligations under the Paris agreement on climate change if they continue to financially sustain the fossil fuel industry," Liston said. "Countries the world over must now urgently follow Ireland's lead and divest from fossil fuels."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.