A plastic bag sticks to a wire fence in a remote location in the Mourne Mountains, co Down, Northern Ireland. Dave G Kelly / Moment / Getty Images
Ireland is ready to say goodbye to plastic cutlery, plastic balloon sticks and grocery items wrapped in plastic as a way to drastically reduce the amount of waste in Irish landfills, according to the Ireland's national broadcaster, RTE.
<p>Speaking at a Waste Summit in Dublin on Monday, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton said the government is working on mapping out a plan to ban single-use plastic plates, cutlery, straws, balloon sticks, cotton buds stick, polystyrene cups and food containers, although a fee on the use of such plastics is being discussed as a possible first step, as <a href="https://www.rte.ie/news/environment/2019/0916/1076205-plastics-ban/" target="_blank">RTE</a> reported.</p><p>Bruton said he would also like to completely end the use of non-recyclable plastic like the crinkly plastic that bags of bell peppers are packaged in, but is first considering charging supermarkets a levy for using it.</p><p>"I am determined to step up ambition and put in place strong policy tools to deliver on our new targets," Bruton said, as <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/government-to-ban-single-use-plastics-in-waste-sector-overhaul-1.4018889" target="_blank">The Irish Times</a> reported. "Today is a chance to shape that roadmap. Leadership in this area is crucial if we are to secure a more <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/sustainability">sustainable</a>, resilient Ireland for future generations."</p><p>The Minister hosted the Waste Summit and met with over 100 key players from industry — local authorities, waste collectors, household representative groups and NGOs — to discuss effective implementation of the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-change" rel="noopener noreferrer">climate</a> action policies, according to <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/government-to-ban-single-use-plastics-in-waste-sector-overhaul-1.4018889" target="_blank">The Irish Times</a>.</p><p>The government strategy goes beyond ending single-use plastic and levies on packaging. It hopes to hit a number of benchmarks, including reducing <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/food-waste" rel="noopener noreferrer">food waste</a> by half, increasing plastic recycling by 60 percent, doubling the amount of recycled material that is used, and cutting dependence on landfills by 60 percent, as <a href="https://www.thejournal.ie/single-use-4810379-Sep2019/" target="_blank">The Journal</a> in Ireland reported.</p><p>The ambitious new policies will have far-reaching implications for retailers, especially supermarkets; fast food restaurants, manufacturers, the packaging sector and consumers, <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/government-to-ban-single-use-plastics-in-waste-sector-overhaul-1.4018889" target="_blank">The Irish Times</a> reported.</p><p>The European Union has suggested a ban on single-use plastic straws and cutlery for its member states and gave EU countries two years to write the legislation into their national law. There is particular urgency for Ireland, since it is an outlier amongst member states, generating much more waste per capita than the European average. In Ireland, the average person generates over 400 pounds of waste packaging every year, of which 130 pounds is plastic, as <a href="https://www.thejournal.ie/single-use-4810379-Sep2019/" target="_blank">The Journal</a> reported.</p><p>"Managing our resources properly is crucial to securing a better, more sustainable Ireland for future generations," said Bruton, according to the <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/government-to-ban-single-use-plastics-in-waste-sector-overhaul-1.4018889" target="_blank">Irish Times</a>. "It is central to the Climate Action Plan – 60 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions come from our use of materials.</p><p>"All along the supply chain we can do better – 70 percent of food waste is avoidable, half of the material we use is not being segregated properly, two-thirds of plastic used is not on the recycling list and labels are confusing," he said.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Plastic Bag Bans Actually Work, Study of European Waters Shows <a href="https://t.co/vXW5xjYJkq">https://t.co/vXW5xjYJkq</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GreenpeaceUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GreenpeaceUK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/foeeurope?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@foeeurope</a></p>— EcoWatch (@EcoWatch) <a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/982552328724238336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Sesame, three months old, at Seal Rescue Irleand. Screenshot / Seal Rescue Ireland Instagram
On Friday, Seal Rescue Ireland released Sesame the seal into the ocean after five months of rehabilitation at the Seal Rescue Ireland facility. Watch the release on EcoWatch's Facebook.
<p><br></p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="11b787c57df6f985acf0cb1f94926547"><div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/EcoWatch/videos/1047110562146118/" data-allowfullscreen="true"></div></div><p>On Nov. 21, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sealrescueireland/?hl=en" target="_blank">Seal Rescue Ireland</a> — Ireland's only seal rescue center — found five to six week old Sesame underweight at only 13 kilos with deep lacerations all over her body. Waves from big storms had likely thrown her against the rocks when she was less than 2 months old. Today she's at a healthy weight of 42 kilos and ready to return home.<br></p><p>"It's really encouraging to see her take straight to the waves," said Sam Brittain, animal care manager. "The last time she was in the sea was probably a bit of a traumatic experience for her."<br></p><p><span></span>Sesame was initially set to return to the sea on April 13, as reported on EcoWatch Live during a tour of their facilities:</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="45dd925b889c881c050b250eb71ef66f"><div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/EcoWatch/videos/667800326970698/" data-allowfullscreen="true"></div></div><p>"In a natural turn of Murphy's Law, she unfortunately was delayed because another big storm came through," said Brittain. The release was rescheduled and he explained that the frequency of storms is increasing because of climate change. "It's becoming a big problem for the grey seals." <br></p><p>Volunteers gathered round to demonstrate their support during the release and cheered Sesame on once the cage was opened. "We're really happy with how many people showed out to give her a good welcome back to the sea" said Brittain.</p>
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More and more Americans are retrofitting their bathrooms with high-end bidets, allowing them to enjoy cleanliness and hygiene without creating as much paper waste. Not all bidets are created equal, however, and before deciding on a particular brand, it's important to do your homework. Take a look at our comprehensive Toto bidet review, and our reviews of Tushy and Omigo, to learn more about all of their options.
<h2>Toto overview</h2><p>Toto is a company that has been around for over 100 years. They aim to improve people's quality of life, and they do that specifically by focusing on bathrooms. To that end, Toto is known for high-quality products including toilets, faucets, showers, bathtubs, and bidets. </p><p>Toto has also expressed an admirable commitment to ecological stewardship. As <a href="https://www.totousa.com/about-toto/toto-way" target="_blank">their corporate website</a> notes, they strive to "protect the global environment by conserving finite natural resources and energy." One example of this is their donation of any imperfectly fired porcelain products for recycling and reuse as porcelain floor tile. Their <a href="https://www.totousa.com/about-toto/living-toto-library/smart-sustainable-packaging-solution" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">packaging</a> uses differing levels of recycled post-consumer paper products while their forklifts operate using <a href="https://www.totousa.com/about-toto/living-toto-library/plant-based-hydraulics" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">plant-based hydraulics</a> made from soybean oil instead of traditional hydraulic oil.</p><p>Toto is definitely a company with a superior reputation when it comes to bathroom accessories in general, and bidets in particular. Here are reviews of some of the specific products in the Toto line.</p><h2>Toto bidet reviews</h2><p>There are two different bidet product families available from Toto: standalone bidets and bidet seat attachments. Their standalone models include the Piedmont bidet, the Lloyd bidet, and the Clayton bidet, while their bidet toilet seat offerings include a wide selection in the popular Washlet line. Here are details on the three standalone options and three of the most popular bidet seat attachments.</p><p><em>Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.</em></p><h3>Toto standalone bidets</h3><h4></h4>
<h2>Toto bidet pros and cons<br></h2><p>Whether you're considering a standalone bidet or a bidet seat attachment, here are some of the pros and cons to help you compare your options.</p><h3>Pros</h3><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Standalone bidets, such as the ones offered by Toto, are designed in a wider range of elegant, contemporary styles. If you are looking to remodel your bathroom, splurging for a standalone bidet makes sense.</li><li>Toto offers a wide selection of bidet and bidet attachment options. Some of their more advanced units feature night lights, adjustable nozzle positions, warm air dryers, and adjustable settings for the temperature of the water.</li><li>All of the Toto bidet attachments we reviewed include self-cleaning nozzles for added hygiene. They are also designed for DIY installation, and easily connect to your existing toilet's water supply without the need for a plumber or electrician.</li></ul><h3>Cons</h3><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Toto's line of standalone bidets and bidet seat attachments are more expensive than some other brands, especially some of their more high-end models.</li><li>Standalone bidets may not be as convenient for those who have mobility issues.</li><li>All of Toto's bidet seat attachments are electric, and don't feature an eco or energy-saving mode like some other options.</li></ul><h2>The benefits of buying a bidet</h2><p>Why buy a bidet at all? There are plenty of perks, both for you and the planet:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Bidets offer a more thorough, hygienic cleaning than toilet paper.</li><li>They're considerably more eco-friendly, using less water and paper.</li><li>Because you'll use so much less toilet paper, bidets are also more cost-effective.</li><li>Compared with TP, bidets can be really soothing to the skin.</li><li>They have special benefits for women, and especially pregnant women, helping minimize the risk of a UTI.</li><li>Bidets are highly accessible, even to those with limited mobility.</li><li>A bidet makes it much easier to teach your children about proper bathroom hygiene.</li></ul><h2>Considerations when buying a bidet</h2><p>As you consider all of your options for getting a bidet, here are a few of the key factors to consider:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Look for a bidet with a self-cleaning nozzle. This will help keep things hygienic.</li><li>Electric vs. non-electric? Electric bidets can offer more comfort features, like a heated seat, but they also use more energy than a non-electric one.</li><li>Is it a standalone bidet, a bidet seat, or a bidet attachment? While a standalone bidet is a completely separate fixture from your toilet, a bidet seat will completely replace your existing seat and a bidet attachment will be installed onto your existing toilet seat. These are usually the least expensive, but also come with the fewest features.</li><li>Does the bidet connect to your home's hot water? If it doesn't, you will only be able to clean with cold water.</li><li>Make sure you can adjust the settings. For the most comfortable bidet, look for controls that let you customize the water pressure, the angle of the water stream, the temperature of the water, and the temperature of the seat, if it is heated.</li></ul><p>Use these questions to determine whether the bidets from Toto are right for you.</p><h2>Toto bidets: a leader in comfort and efficiency</h2><p>Toto makes durable, elegant, and highly functional products that will allow you to enjoy all the hygienic and environmental benefits of a bidet. You can also read our full review of the best bidets to compare with other brands like Brondell, Kohler, Tushy, and BioBidet.</p><p><em><strong>Josh Hurst </strong></em><em>is a journalist, critic, and essayist. He lives in Knoxville, TN, with his wife and three sons. His writing on natural health, nutrition, and supplements has appeared in Health, Shape, and Remedy Review.</em></p>
Piedmont
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTY3MDgyMy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMjI3MjE3Nn0.QqBs95yaFQnGwAuf0t3XaSCc7pvrSEUalnl9UulrODg/img.jpg?width=980" id="a0c63" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9d10ad2b08c5d00642b44787c1b099ad" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="400" data-height="400" />Toto USA
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/TOTO-BT500B-01-Piedmont-Vertical/dp/B00084P3GO/ref=sr_1_3?crid=ZG6AGN0U9VQL&dchild=1&keywords=toto+piedmont+bidet&qid=1613591898&sprefix=toto+piedmo%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-3" target="_blank">Toto's Piedmont bidet</a> offers an elegant, classic design, and it also comes with built-in safeguards that prevent it from ever overflowing. It is available in several color options, and will look good with any contemporary bathroom design.</p><p><strong>Why buy:</strong> This is the most affordable standalone bidet in Toto's catalog. This bidet is a good option if you are remodeling your bathroom or are building a home and want to save water and paper waste from the start. Priced starting at $533, you can find it through other retailers for around $280.</p>
$533
Lloyd
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTY3MDgzMS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNTU0Nzk0Nn0.h9XeFBojZff_4Un8swlIoamX7xAwO1wH3RKAiiZb96k/img.jpg?width=980" id="e5d22" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="83ff9c9b3ed8f1b5e92ff99c14ad9b0c" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="400" data-height="400" />Toto USA
<p>The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/TOTO-BT930B-01-Vertical-Cotton/dp/B0015IVUOQ/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=toto%2Blloyd%2Bbidet&qid=1613592001&sr=8-2&th=1" target="_blank">Lloyd bidet</a> has a much bolder, "skirted" design, but it also shares the Piedmont's flushing rim and integral overflow features, which keep you from ever experiencing spillage.</p><p><strong>Why buy: </strong>This is a fancier product with a more striking appearance, and is mainly suited for a larger, more formal design. It retails for a slightly higher price point: The Lloyd model starts at $780 in total, but you can find it for $526 through other retailers.</p>
$780
Clayton
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTY3MDgzMi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NTI4MTYyNn0.xNOnfejHaWbEVHRbO1vFVdUoWbFvevja40qRVr6L4dI/img.jpg?width=980" id="df200" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0cdb567e670fb2e46f50fbc43c99158c" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="400" data-height="400" />Toto USA
<p>The company's flagship standalone bidet is known as the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/TOTO-BT784B-01-Clayton-Vertical/dp/B0018L9JUC/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=toto+clayton+bidet&qid=1613592108&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Clayton</a>. It includes the same overflow safeguards as the other two, and of course, each of these products is backed by Toto's longstanding commitment to excellent craftsmanship.</p><p><strong>Why buy: </strong>This is the most traditional in its visual style, and, with a number of colors to choose from, it will look great in almost any bathroom design. The Clayton starts at $734, but is available through other retailers for around $426.</p>
$734
<h3>Toto bidet seats</h3>
Toto Washlet C200
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTY3MDgzNi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MTY3OTY1M30.3coYAuyqJLBcw8hQszI8Shbcfyr6nn9V0ek-kXv2kgQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="61762" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b7c91d2511149e271c7f0139f1580788" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="400" data-height="400" />Toto USA
<p>This electronic smart bidet seat fits onto your existing toilet bowl and offers a number of comfort features, including a heated seat, automatic air deodorizer, adjustable warm water, warm air dryer, self-cleaning wand, and a wireless remote control.</p><p><strong>Why buy:</strong> We chose the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UCIOX2Q/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=-XjvJQOmffOcAmiCOZvtAA&hsa_cr_id=7413316040901&pd_rd_plhdr=t&pd_rd_r=0e0e7f3d-0baf-4977-85d3-663f618a76d8&pd_rd_w=Yi3yF&pd_rd_wg=LUFHB&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_lsi3d_asin_1_img" target="_blank">Toto C200</a> as the overall best bidet in <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/best-bidet-toilet-seats-2650502928.html" target="_self">our review</a> of top brands. In addition to the features mentioned, its dual action oscillating and pulsating spray and pre-mist function provide a comfortable and sanitary clean.</p>
$715
Toto Washlet S500e with EWATER+
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTY3MDgzOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MTgzNTIyMH0.idaacYO4MzHGTeajRkSCVHOo3TH7tehRN8TAH2s75ko/img.jpg?width=980" id="f6ed5" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="87fa67b17e4c8e06f74bfbce87bf4809" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="400" data-height="400" />Toto USA
<p>The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/TOTO-SW3046-01-Electronic-Contemporary/dp/B078GTKSXK/ref=sr_1_2?crid=15NGPC9YFANKH&dchild=1&keywords=toto+s500e&qid=1613960063&sprefix=toto+s500e%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Toto Washlet S500e</a> bidet seat includes the features found in the C200, plus instantaneous water heating, front and rear wash functions, two-user preset memory, and the company's <a href="https://www.totousa.com/technologies/ewater" target="_blank">EWATER+ technology</a>. This system uses electrolyzed water to keep the wand and toilet bowl clean.</p><p><strong>Why buy:</strong> This high-end Toto electric bidet seat can help you reduce water and toilet paper use, and it can help reduce the need for chemical cleaning products with its EWATER+ technology.</p>
$1530
Toto Washlet A100
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTY3MDg0Mi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MzU0OTU3MH0.g2PYzguGXvB1l7RvWBcw_xNtlpy8hsmcwui8Twr3CMA/img.jpg?width=980" id="08295" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d3d798b5d7737cddaadfd9f6fa5a84d6" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="400" data-height="400" />Toto USA
<p>The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/TOTO-SW2014-01-Electronic-SoftClose/dp/B0165UFOGS/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=30E9Y1LAN9ZRW&dchild=1&keywords=toto+washlet+a100+elongated+bidet+toilet+seat&qid=1613589664&sprefix=toto+washlet+a100%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFBR1FMUTdJR1hXNUEmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAyNjIwOTkxUE1EWk5CQjg2QTZPJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0NDc1MzExSk1UMk5CQzJYVUhVJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==" target="_blank">A100</a> is an entry-level Washlet bidet attachment, but still offers numerous comfort features. It includes a heated seat with temperature control, aerated warm water with a dual action spray, and an attached arm control panel.</p><p><strong>Why buy: </strong>One of the most affordable Toto bidet options, it still lets you adjust the water temperature and pressure settings, and features rear and front cleaning functionality for a feminine wash.</p>
$499
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Ireland's landmark Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill passed the Seanad, or upper house, on Thursday, putting the Emerald Isle on track to become the first country in the world to divest from fossil fuel-related funds.
The bill—which requires the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund to sell off about €318 million ($361 million) investments in coal, oil, gas and peat assets over a five year period—now heads to President Michael D. Higgins for signature, where it will likely become law by the end of the year, according to the Irish Times.
<p>
Alice-Mary Higgins, an Independent Senator and the president's daughter, was jubilant about the bill's "<a href="https://twitter.com/aliceeire/status/1065589768950562816" target="_blank">swift passage</a>" in the Seanad.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="97608" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="LSHQHF1576663310"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1065785794164678656" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Huge congratulations to @ThomasPringleTD who initiated the #FossilFuel divestment Bill and successfully stewarded i… https://t.co/5RYSDMrN45</div> — Alice Mary Higgins (@Alice Mary Higgins)<a href="https://twitter.com/aliceeire/statuses/1065785794164678656">1542938109.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p>
President Higgins told
<a href="https://greennews.ie/ireland-set-first-country-full-divest-fossil-fuels/" target="_blank">Green News</a> in July that Ireland has a role in tackling climate change. He said the bill, first introduced by independent Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle in 2016, was "greatly" needed and a "testament to cross-party cooperation and support."
</p><p>
"While we are a small nation, we have a huge impact on the most vulnerable citizens in the world. It's morally imperative that we urgently respond to climate change as it's those most vulnerable who cannot afford to wait for us to act accordingly," he added.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="cd2f0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="61WVO01576663310"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1017773668087357440" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Ireland on Path to Become First Country to Divest from Fossil Fuels https://t.co/gOUxFRu5AC #Ireland #Divestment… https://t.co/Kj5RpMqidg</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/1017773668087357440">1531491126.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p>
The bill's passage is a major step for Ireland, which ranks last among European Union countries in the
<a href="https://germanwatch.org/en/download/20503.pdf" target="_blank">2018 Climate Change Performance Index</a>.
</p><p>
Green Party Senator Grace O'Sullivan welcomed the final passage of the bill.
</p><p>
"Ireland can finally hold its head up high on an issue of climate policy, as the first country in the world to put a national divestment strategy into place," O'Sullivan said in a
<a href="https://www.greenparty.ie/fossil-fuel-divestment-bill-passes-final-stage-in-oireachtas/" target="_blank">press release</a>. "This bill will help protect us from climate change, will allow us to stand as an example to the world and protect Irish tax payers from massive losses as the world moves to a post-carbon future."
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="3ecab" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="L7MOQS1576663310"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1065921518021091328" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">The Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill has passed the final stage in the Oireachtas -a bill that will help protect us from… https://t.co/xiT6KWtlwN</div> — Green Party Ireland (@Green Party Ireland)<a href="https://twitter.com/greenparty_ie/statuses/1065921518021091328">1542970468.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
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Marine Institute, Ireland
Marine scientists discovered a very rare shark nursery about 200 miles west of Ireland and shared a mesmerizing video of the find.
Back in July, the government-supported Marine Institute's SeaRover survey found a large school of blackmouth catsharks and what appears to be thousands of their egg cases, also known a "mermaids purses," at depths up to 750 meters (2,500 feet).
<p>
"It was incredible, real
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/david-attenborough">David Attenborough</a> stuff. This is a major biological find and a story of this magnitude would have been on Blue Planet if they'd known about it," David O'Sullivan, the chief scientist on the SeaRover survey, told the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/09/shark-nursery-found-irish-waters-blackmouth-catsharks" target="_blank">Guardian</a>. "Very, very little is known on a global scale about deep-sea shark nurseries."
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="88b6b8885fc63121bb227ac71c592640"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pNVbWNG_ON0?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="add caption...">Rare shark nursery discovered - SeaRover 2018</small>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNVbWNG_ON0" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><p>
The deep-sea find was announced Thursday at the
<a href="https://www.infomar.ie/news-events/events/infomar-annual-seminar-2018" target="_blank">INFOMAR Seabed Mapping Seminar</a> in Kinsale, West Cork.
</p><p>
<span></span>"We are delighted to report the discovery of a rare shark nursery on a scale not previously documented in Irish waters," O'Sullivan said in a <a href="https://www.marine.ie/Home/site-area/news-events/press-releases/government-supported-scientists-discover-rare-%E2%80%98shark-nursery%E2%80%99" target="_blank">press release</a>. "This discovery shows the significance of documenting sensitive marine habitats, and will give us a better understanding of the biology of these beautiful animals and their ecosystem function in Ireland's Biologically Sensitive Area."
</p><p>
The scientists observed a healthy coral reef in the vicinity, which may act as a refuge for the juvenile shark pups once they hatch, O'Sullivan added.
</p><p>
"It is anticipated that further study of the site will answer some important scientific questions on the biology and ecology of deep water sharks in Irish waters," he explained.
</p><p>
Along with the blackmouth catsharks, the scientists also came across the uncommon sailfin roughshark, which is threatened by trawl and
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/shark-deaths-gillnet-fishing--2581796153.html">gillnet fisheries</a>, according to the
<a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/161361/5406422#threats" target="_blank">International Union for Conservation of Nature</a>.
</p><p>
<span></span>Maurice Clarke from the Fisheries Ecosystem Advisory Services at the Marine Institute said in the press release that "both species are of scientific interest as Ireland has an obligation to monitor deepwater sharks under the <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/environment/marine/eu-coast-and-marine-policy/marine-strategy-framework-directive/index_en.htm" target="_blank">Marine Strategy Framework Directive</a>," which aims to protect the marine environment across the European Union.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="e644f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="62PC141576662645"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1021519107982848002" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Shark Week 2018: Interactive Map Shows How Commercial Fishing Threatens Sharks https://t.co/UbbhTAevxW… https://t.co/kI87NCUAxG</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/1021519107982848002">1532384108.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
From Your Site Articles
- Gillnet Fishing Blamed for Killing Up to 100 Baby Hammerhead ... ›
- 9 Facts That Will Change How You Think About Sharks ›
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100 mph Winds Kill Two in First Named Storm to Hit UK and Ireland This Season
20 September 2018
Climate
An ambulance crashed into a fallen tree from Storm Ali in Newcastle on Sept. 19. Owen Humphreys / PA Images via Getty Images
Storm Ali, the first named storm of the UK storm season, killed two and sent several to the hospital as winds of more than 100 miles per hour walloped Ireland, Scotland and Northern England Wednesday, The Guardian reported.
More than 250,000 homes and businesses in Ireland lost power and 30,000 lost power in southwest Scotland.
<p>High <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/wind" target="_self">wind</a> also delayed flights and suspended train service in Edinburgh and Glasgow. </p><p>A cruise ship in Greenock, Scotland with 500 on board broke free from its moorings and had to be rescued by tug boats, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45572946" target="_blank">BBC News reported</a>. </p><p>The first death occurred Wednesday morning when wind blew a caravan off a cliff in western Ireland. </p><p>"At approximately 7:45 a.m., a report was received that a caravan had blown off the cliff at the above location. A search was carried out at the scene on the beach and after a short time the body of a female in her 50s was recovered," Irish police said in a statement reported by The Guardian.</p><p>Locals identified the woman as Swiss tourist Elvira Ferraii, The Guardian reported.</p><p>The second fatality occurred in Northern Ireland when a tree fell on two men working for Northern Ireland Water in Slieve Gullion Forest Park. One man, in his 20s, died and the other, in his 40s, was injured. </p><p>Another woman in Cheshire County in England was seriously injured when a tree fell on her car. </p><p>A 2017 study found that <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-change" target="_self">climate change</a> is projected to make wind storms in the UK more damaging, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/15/uk-faces-sharp-rise-destructive-wind-storms-global-warming" target="_blank">The Guardian</a> reported at the time. </p><p>Even if warming is limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the cost of destruction from wind storms could increase by more than a third in some parts of the UK.</p><p>High winds will increase in all parts of the UK except the South and Southeast, and be especially strong in the midlands, Yorkshire and Northern Ireland as warmer temperatures cause the path of Atlantic storms to shift north. </p><p>Head Gardener of the Kilmacurragh Botanic Gardens in Ireland Séamus O'Brien told <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/many-trees-in-storm-fell-because-of-earlier-dry-spell-and-effect-of-climate-change-1.3634876" target="_blank">The Irish Times</a> that he could detect the footprints of climate change in Wednesday's storm. </p><p>O'Brien said that storms were coming from the east instead of the southwest, as they had in the past, and this caused more trees to topple.</p><p>"This is part of the scenario of climate change," he said.</p><p>The total number of trees in Ireland to fall because of Storm Ali has yet to be calculated, but the country has lost many trees to storms during the past 18 months, The Irish Times reported.</p><p>O'Brien said that his botanical garden only lost one tree, while the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin were more impacted.</p>O'Brien said trees were most vulnerable in soggy, wet soil but that <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/drought" target="_self">droughts</a> like the one <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change-europe-heatwave-2590360622.html" target="_blank">Ireland faced this summer</a><p>could also pose a problem, as dry soil made trees "more prone to rocking."</p>
<p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="9e41e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2A8P3B1576663350"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1039710284171096066" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">#BBC Issues First #ClimateChange Reporting Guidelines https://t.co/3yUD5G4t1f @Reportingclimat @Greenpeace @GreenpeaceUK</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/1039710284171096066">1536721223.0</a></blockquote></div>
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Watch: Seal Rescue Ireland May Change Your Mindless Plastic Consumption Habits
25 July 2018
Facebook Videos
A seal being treated at Seal Rescue Ireland. The blue coloring is a result of the antiseptic used to help heal the deep wounds caused by monofilament fishing line entanglement. Seal Rescue Ireland
Tackling plastic pollution is the theme of 2018. Stories of animals dying from ingesting plastic are all around the web. Did you ever think that the plastic packaging used for your groceries might be the cause of death for an animal species you love?
<p><span></span>Join <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sealrescueireland/" target="_blank">Seal Rescue Ireland</a> in an interactive <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EcoWatch/videos/2013812955298298/" target="_blank">Facebook live experience</a> to hear all about the adorable and often times sick seals with gnarly scars from plastic netting. Meet the seals, hear the splashes made when eagerly gobbling up the fish and grab a box of tissues because not only do many rescues end in tragedy, but many are never able to be reached.<span></span></p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3955192c9afc08c781c1a7554f9b7d61"><div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/EcoWatch/videos/2013812955298298/" data-allowfullscreen="true"></div></div><p>As reported by Seal Rescue Ireland Educational Outreach Manager Jeshua Taucher:</p><blockquote>In 2007, NOAA <a href="http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2007/20071102_marinedebris.html" target="_blank">estimated</a> that annually, 100,000 marine mammals and millions of seabirds and fish silently perish from untreated entanglement in waste produced by our throw-away society.</blockquote><div></div><div><p>Karma is one seal that was able to be rescued, but unable to be saved. Appearing healthy aside from abnormal behavior, she was taken in and died in the center. A necropsy revealed a plastic chip bag was lodged in her stomach. </p><p>Marine animals are not just <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/plastic-pollution-fish-2473631208.html" target="_self">accidentally gobbling up</a> our plastic trash. <a href="http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/284/1860/20171000" target="_blank">Research suggests</a> that they could be actively seeking it out because they like how the debris smells—which quickly gets covered by algae—and are confusing it for their natural prey.</p><p>Not only is the plastic disguised as food, but the reflective elements of plastic are mistaken for fish scales, according to Seal Rescue Ireland.</p>
<p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="8fb7c" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="UUKKRE1576662733"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1022073853756035073" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">💥🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨💥: Maui is heading home this Saturday 28th July,Courtown Main Beach! Featuring a taping of a U.S… https://t.co/OdZ6N439Q9</div> — Seal Rescue Ireland (@Seal Rescue Ireland)<a href="https://twitter.com/seal_rescue/statuses/1022073853756035073">1532516370.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
<p>Tune in to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EcoWatch/" target="_blank">EcoWatch's Facebook</a> July 28, at 10 a.m. EST to see one amazing success story, engaging in the magnificent experience a seal endures when being released back into the wild.</p><p><br></p>
<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="dd91cffe210868213906f5b05965bc28"><div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/EcoWatch/videos/2018476758165251/" data-allowfullscreen="true"></div></div>
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A message to the Irish government to divest from fossil fuels is spelled out in lights in front of the lower house of parliament. Sasko Lazarov / 350.org
Ireland took a major step Thursday towards becoming the first country in the world to divest from fossil fuels, NPR reported.
<p>The Dail, Ireland's lower house of parliament, passed a bill Thursday which would require the country to divest its $10 billion fund from <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/oil" target="_self">oil</a>, <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/coal" target="_self">coal</a>, <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/natural-gas" target="_self">natural gas</a> and peat "as soon as practicable." The bill will now move to the country's upper house, the Seanad, where it is expected to pass easily, most likely in September.</p><p>"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 <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-change" target="_self">climate change</a> is to be averted," Thomas Pringle, the independent member of parliament 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."</p><p>Ireland's fund currently holds more than €300 million in 150 fossil fuel companies. The bill defines a fossil fuel company as any company that makes 20 percent or more of its money from exploring, extracting or refining fossil fuels, but offers an exception for Irish companies that promise to move away from greenhouse-gas emitting fuels, The Guardian reported.</p><p>Ireland's decision is a major victory for the fossil fuel divestment movement, which has persuaded universities, pension funds, insurers, churches and <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/new-york-fossil-fuel-divestment-2518904580.html" target="_self">cities like New York</a> to divest trillions of dollars, but has never prompted an entire country to act before. </p><p>Norway came the closest when a 2015 parliamentary vote divested it from coal specifically. Its central bank has also recommended that it divest its sovereign wealth fund from oil. But no country has divested from all fossil fuels, according to NPR. </p><p>"Ireland's decision to divest from fossil fuels staggers me. It's one of the landmark moments in what has become the largest campaign of its kind in history. Such thanks to all who fought," divestment movement leader and <a href="https://350.org/" target="_blank">350.org</a> founder Bill McKibben <a href="https://twitter.com/billmckibben/status/1017425009218936832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1017425009218936832&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2F2018%2F07%2F12%2F628501744%2Fireland-expected-to-become-worlds-first-country-to-divest-from-fossil-fuels" target="_blank">tweeted Thursday</a>. </p><p>The bill's passage is also a major step for Ireland, which ranked last among EU countries in the <a href="https://germanwatch.org/en/download/20503.pdf" target="_blank">2018 Climate Change Performance Index</a>.</p><p>"Ireland has gained a reputation internationally in recent years as a 'climate laggard' ... so the passing of this Bill is good news but has to mark a significant change of pace on the issue," Éamonn Meehan, the executive director of the Irish Catholic organization <a href="https://www.trocaire.org/news/ireland-leads-way-landmark-divestment-bill" target="_blank">Trócaire</a> that campaigned for the bill said in a statement reported by NPR. </p><p>Now, Ireland is moving into a position to lead other countries in fighting climate change.</p>
<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c5bb0aab7da2106343c582a403d1bec8"><div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/350.org/videos/10156753066342708/" data-allowfullscreen="true"></div></div>
<p>"Governments will not meet their obligations under the <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/paris-agreement" target="_self">Paris agreement</a> on climate change if they continue to financially sustain the fossil fuel industry. Countries the world over must now urgently follow Ireland's lead and divest from fossil fuels." bill drafter Gerry Liston of <a href="http://www.glanlaw.org/" target="_blank">Global Legal Action Network</a> told The Guardian.<br></p>
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Trending
London Mudlark / Facebook
March certainly came in like a lion in the UK and Ireland, as "the Beast from the East" brought freezing temperatures, up to 20 inches of snowfall and travel disruptions to the British Isles.
But what was disruptive for the region's human inhabitants was deadly for its marine life. Hundreds of thousands of lobsters, starfish, crabs and other creatures washed up dead or dying on beaches on the UK's eastern coast, Buzzfeed News reported Monday.
<p><a target="_self"></a>"There are places where you are ankle-deep, or calf-deep, in <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/animals/">animals</a>," <a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/" target="_blank">Yorkshire Wildlife Trust</a> worker Bex Lyman said. </p> <p>The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust worked with local fisherman to separate live lobsters from the dead, with the aim of returning them to the <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/oceans">ocean</a> when the weather warms.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="740ca" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="V5KPE61576662320"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="970361147118571521" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">A lobster struggles to move amongst the debris of other animal bodies on the coast #BeastFromTheEast https://t.co/LBLD1nvGeD</div> — Bex Lynam (@Bex Lynam)<a href="https://twitter.com/rebeccalynam18/statuses/970361147118571521">1520187100.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p>It's worth saving them so that they can be put back into the sea and continue to breed," Lyman told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/05/mass-die-off-of-sea-creatures-follows-freezing-uk-weather" target="_blank">The Guardian</a>. </p><p>Rodney Forster, a marine biologist at the University of Hull, told Buzzfeed he'd counted 24 types of fish so far. </p><p>Forster explained the cold is likely to blame. Ocean temperatures dropped from 5 to 2 degrees Celsius in less than a week. "For a lot of creatures, that really pushes them to their lower limits, especially the warm-water species ... we've seen washed up," he told Buzzfeed.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="21486" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="YEKKE61576662321"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="970378176731009025" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Very cold sea temperatures and storm wave heights of up to 5 m during the past week have impacted the shallow seabe… https://t.co/BOH3AN6jYD</div> — Hull Marine Laboratory (@Hull Marine Laboratory)<a href="https://twitter.com/HullMarineLab/statuses/970378176731009025">1520191160.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p>Waves caused by the storm, as well as high tides, also contributed.<br></p><p>Colleen Suckling, a lecturer in marine biology at Bangor University, wrote in <a href="https://theconversation.com/thousands-of-starfish-have-washed-up-dead-after-the-beast-from-the-east-heres-why-92891" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> that this isn't the first time cold temperatures have caused sea-life die-offs, since they tend to make the animals lethargic. </p><p>Previous starfish die-offs occured on the coasts of Maryland in 1960, the Isle of Man in 1999, and Ireland in 2009.</p><p>"Starfish may be at particular risk of strandings after storms because of a behaviour <a href="https://link-springer-com.ezproxy.bangor.ac.uk/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs12526-016-0504-3.pdf" target="_blank">known as "'starballing</a>,'" Suckling wrote. Starballing is when the creatures will tuck in their arms to create a spherical shape, allowing currents to move them swiftly across the ocean floor. But during storms, the waves move them too far and strand them on beaches. </p><p>But while these events have happened before, the concern is that they might become more frequent due to <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/" target="_self">climate change</a>. As Futurism <a href="https://futurism.com/uk-dead-marine-life-polar-vortex/" target="_blank">pointed out</a>, global warming could lead to increases in the factors that led to the die-off: a polar vortex event bringing cold weather from the arctic and an intense storm. </p><p>For now, there's still plenty of work to do cleaning up from last week's disaster.</p><p>As Lyman tweeted on March 6, "That's it, there's nothing left alive to rescue. So now we clean up the<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/plasticpollution?src=hash" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/plasticpollution?src=hash" target="_blank">#plasticpollution</a>."</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="aad13" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7TB9J01576662321"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="971085148405067776" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">That’s it, there’s nothing left alive to rescue. So now we clean up the #plasticpollution. Thanks to the volunteers… https://t.co/mhrXJ2SHHY</div> — Bex Lynam (@Bex Lynam)<a href="https://twitter.com/rebeccalynam18/statuses/971085148405067776">1520359715.0</a></blockquote></div>
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Fungie the dolphin in Ireland, where 250,000 bottlenose dolphins visit every summer. Belinda Wicks
Ireland's Dáil Éireann, the country's lower house of parliament, voted 78-48 Thursday to advance a bill to stop the government from issuing new contracts for both on and offshore oil and gas exploration.
Despite strong opposition from the Irish government, the legislation was backed by thousands of activists, campaigners, parliamentarians as well as a surprising supporter who believes in life after oil: Cher.
<p>
The "Climate Emergency Measures Bill,"
<a href="http://www.bridsmith.net/brid-smith-td-introduces-climate-emergency-measures-bill-2017/" target="_blank">introduced</a> by Solidarity-People Before Profit deputy Bríd Smith, underscores how <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/fossil-fuels" target="_blank">fossil fuels</a> are major contributors to <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/">climate change</a> and how <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/german-coalfields-2507051369.html">keeping them in the ground</a> will prevent further damage to the environment.
</p><p>
"If we take the
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/paris-agreement">Paris climate agreement</a> seriously the Oireachtas (parliament) will support this bill," Smith said during the vote.
</p><p>
Music icon Cher threw in her weight after a tweet from Green Party member Sinéad Mercier stating: "Ireland has 250,000 bottlenose
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/dolphins">dolphins</a> visiting our seas every summer—we want to become the fourth country in the world to ban oil and gas drilling to protect them!"
</p><p>
The "Believe" singer responded, #HELLTOTHEYES.</p>
<p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="6d728" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="SDT98E1576683852"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="961959805404499968" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">This is my fav Cher saving the earth #ClimateEmergency article - look at this cutie dolphin pic! I'm #moonstruck!… https://t.co/aGrjFFKTKb</div> — Sinéad Mercier (@Sinéad Mercier)<a href="https://twitter.com/sineadmercier/statuses/961959805404499968">1518184064.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
<p>
In a follow-up tweet, Mercier presented two images of the various licenses for oil and gas drilling and
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/seismic-airgun-blasting">seismic airgun testing</a> granted by the government.
</p><p>
"Ireland has amazing blue
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/whales">whales</a>, dolphins and cold water <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/coral-reefs">coral reefs</a> in these areas," she noted.
</p><p>
The bill now heads to the Committee Stage in the parliament for scrutiny.
</p><p>
"Yesterday, the vote on the Climate Emergency Bill was a triumphant win in the struggle to stop climate chaos and environmental destruction," Ireland's Green Party
<a href="https://twitter.com/greenparty_ie/status/961921123930779648" target="_blank">tweeted</a> Friday. "However, we have won the battle but not the war. We must make sure the bill is not stalled when at committee stage."
</p><p>
The Irish government opposes the measure over "energy security" concerns.
</p><p>
Last year, Ireland enacted legislation that banned onshore
<a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/fracking/" target="_blank">fracking</a>.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="8d191" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="29TXKT1576683852"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="880420392988549121" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">THIS IS HUGE! Ireland Joins France, Germany & Bulgaria in Banning #Fracking https://t.co/MZYjPfqdjn @joshfoxfilm @MarkRuffalo @foe_us @350</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/880420392988549121">1498743553.0</a></blockquote></div>
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By Dr. Jeff Masters and Bob Henson
Ex-Hurricane Ophelia hit Ireland hard with full hurricane-like fury on Monday, bringing powerful winds that caused widespread damage and power outages. At least two deaths have been reported from trees falling on cars, and The Irish Times said at least 360,000 ESB Networks customers lost power in Ireland because of the storm.
<p style="">Ophelia's center crossed the southwest coast of Ireland near 11:30 UTC Monday (12:30 p.m. local time), just 12 hours after the National Hurricane Center (NHC) stopped issuing advisories on the Category 1 hurricane. NHC's last advisory at 11 p.m. EDT Sunday gave top sustained winds of 85 mph to the storm, and ex-Hurricane Ophelia weakened only slightly before making landfall on Monday morning in Ireland. The storm took only about four hours to cross Ireland, and emerged from the north coast at approximately 15:30 UTC (11:30 a.m. EDT) Monday.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed" style=""></p><div id="79569" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6ULC661576662792"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="919900994192007168" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">There goes the roof of Douglas Community School 😬#ophelia via @breffnih https://t.co/aVwBLc1GTC</div> — Nadine O'Regan (@Nadine O'Regan)<a href="https://twitter.com/NadineORegan/statuses/919900994192007168">1508156462.0</a></blockquote></div><p></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed"></p><div id="6914b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="Q1S0UD1576662792"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="919903836793458689" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">The eye of the storm passed over Valentia Observatory in Co. Kerry.
Graphic of MSLP (pressure) below.
Central press… https://t.co/wuISmGxEjh</div> — Met Éireann (@Met Éireann)<a href="https://twitter.com/MetEireann/statuses/919903836793458689">1508157140.0</a></blockquote></div><p></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image" style=""><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMjIxNjc2NS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NTEzMjM4MX0.DjFCYWiGNWvTE2Q333cf9_IfO1ZHjB4wve-sAbu7Tl8/img.png?width=980" id="8033f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8b9132dcdb758523e1d4fa4fc65613e0" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></p><p style=""> <strong>Figure 1. </strong>Radar image of Ophelia over Ireland at 9 a.m. EDT (13 UTC) Oct 16.<em> <a href="https://www.met.ie/latest/rainfall_radar.asp" target="_blank">The Irish Meteorological Service</a>. A <a href="http://andrew.rsmas.miami.edu/bmcnoldy/tropics/ophelia17/Ophelia_15-16Oct17_ireland.gif" target="_blank">long loop of the radar</a> has been saved by Brian McNoldy.</em></p><p style=""><strong>Wind and Storm Surge Observations</strong><br></p><p style="">Ophelia brought winds typical of what we see from a landfalling Category 1 hurricane. Sustained winds of 50 mph were recorded at <a href="https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/EICK/2017/10/16/DailyHistory.html?req_city=&req_state=&req_statename=&reqdb.zip=&reqdb.magic=&reqdb.wmo=" target="_blank">Cork</a> at 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. local time, and 54 mph at <a href="https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/EINN/2017/10/16/DailyHistory.html" target="_blank">Shannon</a> at 12:30 p.m. local time. (Note that sustained 10-minute winds are different from the 1-minute averaging time used by the National Hurricane Center and at U.S. airports to define sustained winds; 10-minute average winds need to be adjusted upwards by a <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwit3cvPivXWAhVMJiYKHRGpDxQQFggmMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wmo.int%2Fpages%2Fprog%2Fwww%2Ftcp%2FMeetings%2FHC31%2Fdocuments%2FDoc.3.part2.pdf&usg=AOvVaw05a5K3cE" target="_blank">correction factor</a> ranging from 7 percent to 12 percent to get 1-minute average winds). Some peak wind gusts recorded on Monday:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Fastnet Island, Ireland: 119 mph</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Roches Point, Ireland: 97 mph</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Waterford, Ireland: 85 mph</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Cork, Ireland: 78 mph</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Shannon, Ireland: 76 mph</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>St. Mary's Island, United Kingdom: 70 mph</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Dublin, Ireland: 64 mph</li></ul><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Pembry, United Kingdom: 60 mph</li></ul><p style="">Ophelia brought a storm surge that breached coastal defenses and flooded roads in Salthill on the western coast of Ireland, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/skydavidblevins/status/919929987951742976" target="_blank">this video</a>.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image" style=""><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMjIxNjgwOC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NTgxNzE4NX0.Dp5MabYGCtedHqCq7XSxxvgOeqMqsqmC4Upgi8y68fs/img.jpg?width=980" id="1f7c5" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="983e37b8e1d471909dfa7cd26bce2a0d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></p><p style=""> <strong>Figure 2:</strong> MODIS satellite image of Ex-Hurricane Ophelia at approximately 10 a.m. EDT Oct. 16, about 3 hours after it made landfall over southwestern Ireland. Note the brownish hue to the clouds over the U.K. on the right side of the image, due to African dust and smoke from wildfires in Portugal and Spain being drawn into the storm's circulation.<em> </em><a href="https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov/" target="_blank"><em>NASA</em></a></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed"></p><div id="fce70" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2E26ZB1576662792"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="919897164775600129" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Did you seen the strange hazy glow around the sun today? @metoffice says its particles from Portuguese forest fires… https://t.co/uEKQkLKkTD</div> — BBC North West (@BBC North West)<a href="https://twitter.com/BBCNWT/statuses/919897164775600129">1508155549.0</a></blockquote></div><p></p><p style=""><strong>A Surreal Day in Ireland</strong><br></p><p style="">The surreal experience of a hurricane-like storm in Ireland was made even more strange by being preceded by an eerie sunrise that brought a hazy, orange sky across much of Ireland and Britain. The orange light was filtering through a thick layer of Saharan dust that had been transported to the north by the trough of low pressure that steered Ophelia northwards. Adding to the haze was smoke from wildfires in Portugal and Spain that <a href="https://weather.com/news/news/2017-10-16-spain-portugal-deadly-wildfires" target="_blank">killed at least 32 people</a> over the weekend.</p><p style=""><strong>Europe May See an Increase in Strong Ex-Hurricanes in the Future</strong></p><p style="">Ophelia's ascension to Category 3 status and subsequent impact on Ireland just 12 hours after becoming an ex-hurricane was made possible, in large part, by unusually warm ocean temperatures that were 1 – 2°C (1.8 – 3.6°F) above average. As the planet continues to warm due to the effects of human-caused global warming, we should expect to see more hurricanes maintaining their strength far to the north, allowing them to draw very close to Europe. According to a 2014 study led by University of Wisconsin hurricane scientist Jim Kossin, <a href="http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v509/n7500/abs/nature13278.html" target="_blank"><em>The poleward migration of the location of tropical cyclone maximum intensity</em></a>, there has already been a "pronounced poleward migration in the average latitude at which tropical cyclones have achieved their lifetime-maximum intensity over the past 30 years. The poleward trends are evident in the global historical data in both the Northern and the Southern hemispheres, with rates of 53 and 62 kilometers per decade, respectively." The scientists hypothesized that this poleward shift could be linked to the expansion of tropics poleward that has long been predicted as a likely consequence of human-caused global warming. They noted that so far, though, the poleward trend observed in the Atlantic tropical cyclone database has been small.</p><p style=""><strong>Ophelia Was an "Off the Charts" Storm</strong></p><p style="">One other way we know that Ophelia was an extremely unusual storm is that is broke some of the graphical displays we use to view the forecast. The National Hurricane Center graphical forecasts of the storm's track had to be truncated east of 0° longitude (the Greenwich Prime Meridian), since they never planned for the possibility that an Atlantic hurricane or its identifiable remnants could make it so far to the northeast.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMjIxNjg1NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMzcyNDQ0NH0.wjh8i_7GQ9ervKmXac-PzCalHyeG8KFQbqhNZnXiybQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="b35d1" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="44c8d4f1f4afab5866976d364e0ccac1" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></p><p style=""> <strong>Figure 3. </strong>Visible satellite image of 92L as seen at 11 a.m. EDT Oct. 16. A closed center of circulation was attempting to form to the north of the Turks and Caicos Islands. <em>NOAA / RAMMB. GOES-16 imagery is considered preliminary and non-operational.</em></p><p style=""><strong>92L Will Affect Bermuda Monday Night Through Tuesday</strong><br></p><p style="">A broad area of low pressure was located about 200 miles north of the Turks and Caicos Islands at noon Monday, and was headed north at about 15 mph. This system (92L) has the potential to develop into a tropical depression by Tuesday night as it moves near Bermuda. No other land areas are likely to be impacted by 92L, but long-range model runs predict that the remnants of 92L will be absorbed by a powerful extratropical low-pressure system later this week, which will go on give Ireland another battering on Friday and Saturday, as a 960 mb low-pressure system.</p><p style="">92L was under moderate <a href="http://tropic.ssec.wisc.edu/real-time/windmain.php?&basin=atlantic&sat=wg8&prod=shr&zoom=&time=" target="_blank">wind shear</a> of 15 – 20 knots on Monday afternoon, but had ocean temperatures warm enough for development: 28°C (82°F). Relative humidity at mid-levels of the atmosphere as analyzed by the 12Z Monday run of the <a href="http://ftp.nhc.noaa.gov/atcf/stext/" target="_blank">SHIPS model</a> was favorable for development, about 70 percent. <a href="http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/floaters/92L/92L_floater.html" target="_blank">Satellite loops</a> showed that 92L had a modest area of heavy thunderstorms that were slowly becoming more organized, with a surface circulation attempting to form to the west of the heaviest thunderstorms.</p><p style=""><strong>Forecast for 92L</strong></p><p style="">The 0Z Monday runs of our top three models for predicting tropical cyclone genesis--the European, UKMET and GFS model--had one of them, the UKMET model, predict weak development of 92L by Tuesday. Approximately 40 percent of the 70 members of the 0Z Monday GFS and European model ensemble forecasts showed development of 92L into a tropical depression. The 12Z Monday run of the <a href="http://ftp.nhc.noaa.gov/atcf/stext/" target="_blank">SHIPS model</a> predicted that wind shear would rise to 35 knots by Wednesday morning as 92L merged with a cold front, which gives the storm a short window for development. In their 8 am Monday <a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?basin=atlc&fdays=5" target="_blank">Tropical Weather Outlook</a>, NHC gave 92L 2-day and 5-day odds of development of 40 percent. The <a href="http://www.weather.bm/" target="_blank">Bermuda Weather Service</a> is advising that 92L will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Bermuda on Monday night and into Tuesday.</p><p style=""> <em>Reposted with permission from our media associate <a href="https://www.wunderground.com/cat6/strange-days-ex-hurricane-ophelia-batters-ireland-under-orange-skies" target="_blank">Weather Underground</a>.</em></p>
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'We've Made History': Ireland Joins France, Germany and Bulgaria in Banning Fracking
29 June 2017
Energy
Hildegarde Naughton, TD for Galway West
Ireland is set to ban onshore fracking after its Senate passed legislation on Wednesday that outlawed the controversial drilling technique.
The Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016 now awaits Irish President Michael D. Higgins' signature. The president is expected to sign it into law "in the coming days."
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<span></span>The Emerald Isle will join three other European Union member states, France, Germany and Bulgaria that have banned the practice on land.
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Fine Gael TD Tony McLoughlin <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/ireland-ban-fracking-2066270815.html">introduced</a> the private member's bill—meaning it was not introduced by the government—last year. The bill passed Ireland's Parliament in May.
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'We've made history," McLoughlin tweeted after the vote and called it one of the "proudest moments in my political career."
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<p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="cda29" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="NMA7WG1560778611"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="880084632066248708" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Its done! Weve made history & become the 3rd state in the EU to ban #Fracking. One of proudest moments in my politi… https://t.co/24fyL6eUbZ</div> — Tony McLoughlin TD (@Tony McLoughlin TD)<a href="https://twitter.com/TonyMcLTD/statuses/880084632066248708">1498663502.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<p>
<span></span>McLoughlin also issued a statement that mentioned the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/10-years-of-fracking-its-impact-on-our-water-land-and-climate-1891114363.html">impact of fracking</a> in the U.S.:
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<p style="margin-left: 20px;">
This law will mean communities in the West and North West of Ireland will be safeguarded from the negative effects of hydraulic fracking. Counties such as Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Clare will no longer face negative effects like those seen in cities and towns in the United States, where many areas have now decided to implement similar bans to the one before us.
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If fracking was allowed to take place in Ireland and Northern Ireland it would pose significant threats to the air, water and the health and safety of individuals and communities here.
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Fracking must be seen as a serious public health and environmental concern for Ireland.
</p>
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Environmental group <a href="https://www.foe.ie/" target="_blank">Friends of the Earth Ireland</a> celebrated the bill's passage.
</p>
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"A day to celebrate. A day for #ClimatePride. The Irish parliament has passed a law to #BanFracking. Here's to a #FossilFree future," the group tweeted:
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<p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="529e8" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="OO899W1560778611"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="880095912957272065" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">A day to celebrate. A day for #ClimatePride. The Irish parliament has passed a law to #BanFracking. Here's to a… https://t.co/hju1bLD7Im</div> — Friends of the Earth (@Friends of the Earth)<a href="https://twitter.com/foeireland/statuses/880095912957272065">1498666191.0</a></blockquote></div>
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'We Are Going to Be Selling Your Exxon Shares, Sir, Because We Don't Believe in the Future That You Stand For'
27 January 2017
Popular
In a world's first, the Irish Parliament voted 90 to 53 on Thursday in favor of a groundbreaking bill that would fully divest public money from coal, oil and gas.
<p>
<span></span><a href="http://gofossilfree.org/europe/ireland-passes-fossil-fuel-divestment-bill/" target="_blank">Fossil Free Europe</a> has hailed it as a "first-of-its-kind fossil fuel divestment legislation."
</p><div id="d0ba0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="X5YHHH1524750121"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="824622886187134977" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">We are delighted that the Irish Parliament has voted the #FossilFuel #Divestment Bill 2016 through the second stage… https://t.co/npuo2FEspj</div> — Trócaire (@Trócaire)<a href="https://twitter.com/trocaire/statuses/824622886187134977">1485440391.0</a></blockquote></div><p>
The Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill, which was supported by almost all of Ireland's political parties except the Fine Gael, will now go to the committee stage. According to <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ireland-votes-divest-fossil-fuels-climate-change-world-first-country-parliament-renewable-energy-a7549121.html" target="_blank">The Independent</a>, the bill is likely to pass into law in the next few months after it is reviewed.
</p><p>
Once enacted, the initiative would force the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund—a sovereign wealth fund worth more than €8 billion—to sell its investments in fossil fuel industries over the next five years and would also prohibit future investments in the sector.
</p><p>
Independent TD Thomas Pringle, who introduced the bill, <a href="http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republic-of-ireland/parliament-backs-ban-on-investing-public-money-in-fossil-fuels-35400883.html" target="_blank">said</a> the legislation makes a powerful statement to the world. <br>
</p><p>
"This principle of ethical financing is a symbol to these global corporations that their continual manipulation of climate science, denial of the existence of <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/">climate change</a> and their controversial lobbying practices of politicians around the world is no longer tolerated," Pringle said.
</p><p>
"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."<span></span>
</p><p>
The Republic of Ireland has recently voted on a slew of green measures in order to fight climate change. In October, the Dáil Éireann (the country's House of Representatives, so to speak) <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/ireland-ban-fracking-2066270815.html" target="_blank">voted to ban </a><a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/ireland-ban-fracking-2066270815.html" target="_blank">fracking</a>.
</p><div id="3a940" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="LTKM9B1524750121"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="792124047412883456" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Ireland Takes Major Step Towards Nationwide Fracking Ban https://t.co/yJ0AZc2NG0 @aafracking @DontFrackNY</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/792124047412883456">1477692064.0</a></blockquote></div><p>
<span></span><a href="https://www.trocaire.org/" target="_blank">Trócaire</a>, an Catholic charity that fights worldwide poverty, backed the divestment campaign.<br>
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"With a climate-sceptic recently inaugurated into the White House, this move by elected representatives in Ireland will send out a powerful message," said Trócaire executive director Éamonn Meehan.
</p><p>
"The Irish political system is now finally acknowledging what the overwhelming majority of people already know: That to have a fighting chance to combat catastrophic climate change we must phase out fossil fuels and stop the growth of the industry that is driving this crisis," he added.
</p><p>
In the powerful video below, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan celebrates the bill as a clear message to the White House, which has embraced fossil fuels. <br>
</p><p>
"<a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/trump-watch/" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a>—what an answer to him. What an answer to his secretary of state, Rex Tillerson," Ryan said. "We are going to be selling your ExxonMobil shares, sir, because we don't believe in the future that you stand for."</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4fe6fc6d64ce7138b6e23307e400259e"><div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/EcoWatch/videos/1432713546741578/" data-allowfullscreen="true"></div></div>
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