Read on Twitter
So, there are some claims in here that need a bit of debunking.
THREAD https://twitter.com/MHealyRae/status/1384591229464334338
THREAD https://twitter.com/MHealyRae/status/1384591229464334338
1. MHR says: "I am not a climate change denier."
He acknowledges the climate is changing but clearly has no grasp on the severity of the problem. Young people in Ireland are going to be negatively affected far more by climate change than this, or any climate bill.
He acknowledges the climate is changing but clearly has no grasp on the severity of the problem. Young people in Ireland are going to be negatively affected far more by climate change than this, or any climate bill.
2. Briquettes from Ireland are still available and will be until 2024: https://www.thejournal.ie/briquette-bord-na-mona-ending-5325744-Jan2021/.
There are also more environmentally friendly alternatives sold by Irish companies like Ecofuel.
There are also more environmentally friendly alternatives sold by Irish companies like Ecofuel.
3. MHR says: "This Government is going to tax beyond belief the cost of flying into this country."
The Bill, which this video is allegedly about, does not mention aviation at all.
And besides, at the moment flying is heavily subsidised by Governments.
The Bill, which this video is allegedly about, does not mention aviation at all.
And besides, at the moment flying is heavily subsidised by Governments.
4. MHR says: "The Bill could result in a 50% reduction in our national herd."
The bill mentions "the special economic and social role of agriculture" but does not refer to the national herd.
The bill mentions "the special economic and social role of agriculture" but does not refer to the national herd.
5. MHR says: "We then will have to be importing beef from all other parts of the world."
https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/rural-economy/agri-food-business/agriculture-in-ireland/
In 2017, we produced 617 tonnes of beef and exported 537 tonnes. So in fact, we could cut our beef herd by 80+% and still not have to import any beef.
https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/rural-economy/agri-food-business/agriculture-in-ireland/
In 2017, we produced 617 tonnes of beef and exported 537 tonnes. So in fact, we could cut our beef herd by 80+% and still not have to import any beef.
And I'm going to labour this point because at the moment we import loads of food we could and should be growing here. In 2017, we imported 72,000 tonnes of potatoes while exporting all that beef. To paraphrase Michael Healy Rae, does that make sense? https://www.irishtimes.com/business/agribusiness-and-food/why-does-ireland-import-44-000-tonnes-of-british-potatoes-each-year-1.3721341
6. MHR says: Other countries can do what they like but we have to stop.
The US and UK and many more countries have announced that they are increasing their climate action ambitions. Besides, I want to live in a country doing it's part with globally considerate politicians.
The US and UK and many more countries have announced that they are increasing their climate action ambitions. Besides, I want to live in a country doing it's part with globally considerate politicians.
7. MHR says: The Climate Bill is going to wipe out and destroy family farms.
Many family farms are struggling as it is. Droughts, floods and other extreme weather hit farmers hardest.
We have to acknowledge this reality and pay farmers properly, not pretend it's all grand.
Many family farms are struggling as it is. Droughts, floods and other extreme weather hit farmers hardest.
We have to acknowledge this reality and pay farmers properly, not pretend it's all grand.
8. MHR says: "We all want what is best for this planet but we want it to be at an affordable cost."
Firstly, this doesn't make much sense but secondly, most climate action is good for us: cleaner air, better food, healthier people.
This is just scaremongering at this stage.
Firstly, this doesn't make much sense but secondly, most climate action is good for us: cleaner air, better food, healthier people.
This is just scaremongering at this stage.
9. MHR uses rice to explain Ireland's emissions in the global context.
Per capita, our emissions are double the global average so we must lead by example. If everyone increased their emissions to our per capita level there would be twice as much rice on that table.
Per capita, our emissions are double the global average so we must lead by example. If everyone increased their emissions to our per capita level there would be twice as much rice on that table.
10. MHR says: I would ask you to contact people in Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour, Greens, Sinn Fein.
Something we agree on! Email your TDs and tell them you support the Bill and that you want them to show their support for it.
Something we agree on! Email your TDs and tell them you support the Bill and that you want them to show their support for it.
If you want to contact them and ask them to tighten up the bill to make it fairer and more effective, you can very quickly send a prewritten email at this link: https://www.stopclimatechaos.ie/takeaction
Despite most of his arguments being flawed (to put it kindly), MHR appeared on both @drivetimerte and @cooper_m's Last Word today. Luckily, @paulinegalway and @think_or_swim were there to call him out.
We need to move beyond this kind of narrative.
We need to move beyond this kind of narrative.
You can play your part by emailing your TDs at the link above telling them to support the Bill and to commit to meaningful and effective climate action. Here it is again: https://www.stopclimatechaos.ie/takeaction
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