Displaying items by tag: Scotland 'considers'

12th November 2021

COP26: Sturgeon Confirms Scotland 'Considering Joining' Alliance to End Oil & Gas Production

COP26: Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland could join the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) 'in the not too distant future'. If Scotland does join the coalition, it would be the first nation to do so that heavily relies on oil and gas for its energy mix. As AFLOAT reported yesterday, Ireland became a new member of BOGA to phase Out Oil & Gas Production. Above Afloat adds the First Minister with the backdrop of the Clydeside built tallship Glenlee at the Riverside Museum located downriver of the nearby waterfront venues hosting COP26 Conference held in Glasgow which officially ends today, though it is expected to continue into the weekend.

First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed the Scottish Government is “considering joining” an alliance of nations committed to ending drilling for oil and gas “in the not too distant future”.

But the First Minister has faced criticism after Scotland was not confirmed as a founding member of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) – formally announced by the Danish and Costa Rican governments at COP26.

Alongside Denmark and Costa Rica, the BOGA features France, Greenland, Quebec, Ireland, Sweden and Wales as core members and California and New Zealand as associate members.

The BOGA will seek a managed phase-out of oil and gas production to align with Paris Agreement goals but none of the members has a substantial production of oil and gas.

If Scotland does join the coalition, it would be the first nation to do so that heavily relies on oil and gas for its energy mix.

For much more The Herald reports.

As Afloat reported yesterday, Minister for Environment, Climate & Communications, Eamon Ryan confirmed Ireland’s new membership of Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) at COP26 held in Glasgow.

The signing by Ireland with this new alliance of governments aims to phase out oil and gas production in line with the existing Paris (COP21) agreement on climate change.

Published in Power From the Sea

Tagged under

Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.