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Originally Posted by talkie Quote: |
Originally Posted by SPN Our way of life is running on empty Quote: |
Originally Posted by Peter O'Brien
The Swedes intend to wean themselves off oil completely within 15 years. There is no good reason why we should not do the same.
| | There would probably be many practical and financial reasons why we can't - (in this sort of time frame anyway).
For a start the Swedes were well ahead of the game. I'm by no means an expert on the subject but they have been investing hugely in researching and implementing renewables since the 1980's (at least ). In 2003, 40% of their energy was from renewables. We have some catching up just to get to that point.
The most important question is how we would finance it. The Swedes willingly pay higher taxes to fund this kind of thing. Are Irish people prepared to do the same? |
The practical and financial penalties we will pay if we DON'T pull our fingers out of our collective backsides, rapidement, and address this issue effectively don't bear thinking about.
The cost of investing now will be much lower than trying to invest in an economy that is being retarded by high energy prices. The benefit for Ireland Inc is that the investment would be in developing indigenous industries, and replacing the money that gets spent on new palaces in the Saudi desert, on new players for Chelsea Rangers, and on social and infrastructure expenditure in Norway, with money that would stay in the Irish economy.
Have a look at what Chevron-Texaco
have to say on the issue.
Closer to home, I'd recommend anyone with an interest in the subject to have a read of the minutes of this meeting of the DOEHLG Committee from April 6th 2005
Energy Performance in the Construction Industry: Presentation
and also this article from Construct Ireland Magazine, which shows clearly how political change can be effected when Politicians put their minds to it.
Fingal Commits to Sustainable Building
There's lots of stuff being done on the ground, but until we get a Minister for Energy there won't be enough focus given to this important issue at Cabinet level.