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Shauna Corr - What have they done to the world?

Journalist Shauna Corr from Coalisland, campaigns passionately against the destruction and pollution of the environment, both locally and globally.

She recalls growing up in Coalisland, schooldays and how she first got involved in writing for a publication at University in Manchester.

After taking time out and adventuring in Australia, she returned home and began her journey into local journalism, covering all sorts of news and topics.

Environment correspondent for several island of Ireland newspapers, she has penned a series of hard-hitting columns that challenges the wanton desecration and contamination of our planet.

Shauna was first to write about the horrendous state of Lough Neagh as it poisons wildlife and ruins life-long fishing traditions.

Currently she is attending the Dalradian goldmine enquiry as local lobby group 'Save Our Sperrins' and objectors, cite risks to the outstanding natural beauty close to Greencastle and potential water and air pollution, danger to wildlife, noise, and the long-term impact of a massive waste-rock facility near local homes and a school.

They also cite the potential ruination of historic sites as a result of the £21 billion gold digging project.

These are hugely emotive issues across the county, and at the weekend campaigners marched to Stormont, many pouring bottles of pea-green toxic water from Lough Neagh onto steps in front of the building.

A column Shauna wrote after flying over the water reflected her "disgust" and being "numbed with grief" at what has become of our beloved Lough. She discusses the causes and proposes solutions, while wondering whether the will is there to restore Lough Neagh to its former glory.

She has also attended UN Climate Conferences, including the surreal surroundings of Baku in Azerbaijan, while outside the arena was the juxtaposition scene of huge machinery drilling for oil.

Saving the environment from global warming is not an easy sell with climate change deniers and the likes of US President Donald Trump using the slogan: "Drill baby, drill!" Money talks.

With it all, Shauna is not pessimistic, and her love of the earth and its wildlife shines through.

When Shauna writes, she means it!

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