Ireland puts a halt on future fossil fuel exploration

Ireland has made history. In a 78-48 vote, Ireland’s lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann, passed legislation that bans the government from issuing new contracts for on and offshore fossil fuel exploration, according to EcoWatch.

With thousands of activists, campaigners and parliamentarians championing the ban on oil and gas drilling, the Climate Energy Bill is the newest legislature passed by the Irish government to protect the environment and effects of climate change. In 2017, the Irish government passed a bill that bans onshore fracking.

The Climate Energy Bill, which was introduced by Bríd Smith, Solidarity-People Before Profit deputy, stated that “fossil fuels are major contributors to climate change and how keeping them in the ground will prevent further damage to the environment,” according to EcoWatch.

“If we take the Paris climate agreement seriously the Oireachtas (parliament) will support this bill,” Smith said during the vote.

While many are celebrating the vote, the bill will be reviewed by the Committee Stage in the parliament in which it will go under “scrutiny.”

“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 tweeted Friday. “However, we have won the battle but not the war. We must make sure the bill is not stalled when at committee stage.”