Energy, Ireland and the EU

[arnaudherve]

Intuitively, I am shocked by the amount of time and money and worforce that has been spent by the EU on this treaty, whereas the obvious priority is to address the energy crisis.

So much can be done, in transports, in housing, to reduce our dependance to oil. And since Ireland is an island, it is an excellent case study for aiming at energetic independence. I said aiming at, not achieving it in the short term of course.

Since oil prices are bound to continue rising, shifting to other energy sources would not only allow Ireland to pay less in imports, but would also make Irish industrial exports cheaper. Up till now, alternative energies have been less economically efficient, but it is almost certain that by the mere fact of staying at the same price, they will become relatively cheaper.

At least, in the present negociations, the government could demand a strong support for such a priority. All the more so that other subsidies have moved towards Eastern Europe.

[Julian_Arnold]

Intuitively, I am shocked by the amount of time and money and worforce that has been spent by the EU on this treaty, whereas the obvious priority is to address the energy crisis.

So much can be done, in transports, in housing, to reduce our dependance to oil. And since Ireland is an island, it is an excellent case study for aiming at energetic independence. I said aiming at, not achieving it in the short term of course.

Since oil prices are bound to continue rising, shifting to other energy sources would not only allow Ireland to pay less in imports, but would also make Irish industrial exports cheaper. Up till now, alternative energies have been less economically efficient, but it is almost certain that by the mere fact of staying at the same price, they will become relatively cheaper.

At least, in the present negociations, the government could demand a strong support for such a priority. All the more so that other subsidies have moved towards Eastern Europe.

With respect, I don't believe it's an 'energy crises' we're experiencing. More of a 'financial-speculation' frenzy since the world-wide credit crunch. Investors, not seeing corporate growth via financial investment in corporations have taken their money from equities and dumped them into commodities which includes oil, corn, soybeans etc. The actual supply of oil isn't under threat for the moment. There is merit however, in looking at alternate energy supplies at the very least to keep OPEC countries a little honest. Competition is a healthy thing.

We're about 15-20 years away from what I reckon (IMHO) will be nothing short of a major energy revolution. In the truest sense, I do believe that when the boffins find a way to harness hydrogen, there'll never be an energy crises again. Speculative or otherwise.

My $0.02 worth.

Julian.
"Capitalism and communism stand at opposite poles. Their essential difference is this: The communist, seeing the rich man and his fine home, says: "No man should have so much." The capitalist, seeing the same thing, says: "All men should have as much."

- Phelps Adams

[joel]

Intuitively, I am shocked by the amount of time and money and worforce that has been spent by the EU on this treaty, whereas the obvious priority is to address the energy crisis.

So much can be done, in transports, in housing, to reduce our dependance to oil. And since Ireland is an island, it is an excellent case study for aiming at energetic independence. I said aiming at, not achieving it in the short term of course.

Since oil prices are bound to continue rising, shifting to other energy sources would not only allow Ireland to pay less in imports, but would also make Irish industrial exports cheaper. Up till now, alternative energies have been less economically efficient, but it is almost certain that by the mere fact of staying at the same price, they will become relatively cheaper.

At least, in the present negociations, the government could demand a strong support for such a priority. All the more so that other subsidies have moved towards Eastern Europe.

With respect, I don't believe it's an 'energy crises' we're experiencing. More of a 'financial-speculation' frenzy since the world-wide credit crunch. Investors, not seeing corporate growth via financial investment in corporations have taken their money from equities and dumped them into commodities which includes oil, corn, soybeans etc. The actual supply of oil isn't under threat for the moment. There is merit however, in looking at alternate energy supplies at the very least to keep OPEC countries a little honest. Competition is a healthy thing.

We're about 15-20 years away from what I reckon (IMHO) will be nothing short of a major energy revolution. In the truest sense, I do believe that when the boffins find a way to harness hydrogen, there'll never be an energy crises again. Speculative or otherwise.

My $0.02 worth.

Julian.
"Capitalism and communism stand at opposite poles. Their essential difference is this: The communist, seeing the rich man and his fine home, says: "No man should have so much." The capitalist, seeing the same thing, says: "All men should have as much."

- Phelps Adams

Yes, but in the Capitalist system you must have the poor to provide wealth for the rich.

[Julian_Arnold]

Intuitively, I am shocked by the amount of time and money and worforce that has been spent by the EU on this treaty, whereas the obvious priority is to address the energy crisis.

So much can be done, in transports, in housing, to reduce our dependance to oil. And since Ireland is an island, it is an excellent case study for aiming at energetic independence. I said aiming at, not achieving it in the short term of course.

Since oil prices are bound to continue rising, shifting to other energy sources would not only allow Ireland to pay less in imports, but would also make Irish industrial exports cheaper. Up till now, alternative energies have been less economically efficient, but it is almost certain that by the mere fact of staying at the same price, they will become relatively cheaper.

At least, in the present negociations, the government could demand a strong support for such a priority. All the more so that other subsidies have moved towards Eastern Europe.

With respect, I don't believe it's an 'energy crises' we're experiencing. More of a 'financial-speculation' frenzy since the world-wide credit crunch. Investors, not seeing corporate growth via financial investment in corporations have taken their money from equities and dumped them into commodities which includes oil, corn, soybeans etc. The actual supply of oil isn't under threat for the moment. There is merit however, in looking at alternate energy supplies at the very least to keep OPEC countries a little honest. Competition is a healthy thing.

We're about 15-20 years away from what I reckon (IMHO) will be nothing short of a major energy revolution. In the truest sense, I do believe that when the boffins find a way to harness hydrogen, there'll never be an energy crises again. Speculative or otherwise.

My $0.02 worth.

Julian.
"Capitalism and communism stand at opposite poles. Their essential difference is this: The communist, seeing the rich man and his fine home, says: "No man should have so much." The capitalist, seeing the same thing, says: "All men should have as much."

- Phelps Adams

Yes, but in the Capitalist system you must have the poor to provide wealth for the rich.

Granted. Most politically well-read people like your good self would agree. Respectfully, I would offer a different view. Capitalists don't do anything that anyone else can do. They simply take some more risks in certain areas of their lives, mainly with regard to money. All humans take risks, every single day. Cross the street and you could be mowed down by a bus. My point is wealth is intangible (a poor man says he is poor as he has no money, a rich man with no money is simply broke) Wealth is simply the product of a man (or woman's) capacity to think. Respectfully 'poor' is a relative term. The answer? Education combined with the ability to think for oneself. J.

[Squire Allworthy]

The answer? Education combined with the ability to think for oneself. J.

The only problem with that is that some people start out from a better position and also it is a fallacy to suggest that all people are equal and can achieve the same for plainly they are not and can't. Given that; you need to look after the weak and less fortunate or just let them die.

Basically there is no pure political model that fits all needs so life is compromise.

With regards energy it is good area to invest in for the future. Right now Russia or OPEC could literally send Europe into the dark age and that is unacceptable.