Sir, – Further to “Climate change: Ireland’s pace of action ‘not acceptable given existential threat’, watchdog warns” (News, July 25th), it is clear that the wider Irish public are anxious to play their part in response to the existential climate threat, but the Government has as yet failed to deliver real programmes that are affordable, effective and scalable. And crucially programmes that are highly attractive to home-owners. I give your readers just one example that meets these criteria and could be implemented very rapidly.
Modern solar panels in combination with a home battery are capable of dramatically reducing energy consumption and therefore electricity bills. The cost, after the Sustainable Energy Authority Of Ireland grant, is probably about €10,000. Which is possibly unaffordable for many people. But the savings on electricity bills would easily cover the cost of a loan. I suggest the Government should immediately implement zero-interest, 10-year loans which would make the move to solar affordable for everyone.
It wouldn’t be unreasonable for the Government to offset the cost of the scheme by redirecting electricity credits for excess power produced, away from the electricity provider, to the revenue for the duration of the loan, thereby reducing costs to taxpayers. – Yours, etc,
DAVID SPROTT,
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Ballincollig,
Cork.
Sir, – Again Ireland is being portrayed as causing the existential problems with climate change. We are not meeting our climate targets which is being portrayed as the major cause of climate change. This hysterical approach by the climate community in trying to browbeat Irish people into reaching zero emissions is proposed as the solution to the problem. The facts could not be further from the truth. Ireland produces approximately 39 million tons of carbon dioxide. China produces 11 billion tons, the US 5 billion tons, India 2.5 billion tons, Russia 1.7 billion tons and Japan 1.3 billion tons. In fact the top five countries produce in excess of 20 billion tons. If Ireland went to zero emissions tomorrow it would not make any difference to the climate change taking place without a major shift in the attitudes of the major emitters. Instead of berating the Irish people constantly, maybe a more nuanced approach might contribute to an acceptance of reduced emissions to a reasonable level. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL LENNON,
Dublin 15.
Sir, – “Renewable” energy has become a synonym for sustainable or low-carbon allowing a complete negation of nuclear energy, which is not renewable though just as low-carbon; they have different parts to play in an efficient, low-carbon, reliable electricity system.
Wind and solar are not “on demand”, they are irregular and unreliable. Nuclear should take the low-carbon, base-load position, replacing high-carbon natural gas in support of wind and solar and allowing us to achieve our emissions targets.
This would be an obvious answer to our energy problems but for the complete refusal of our Government to allow, let alone encourage, a national debate of all low-carbon options and removal of the two legal barriers to developing nuclear power in Ireland (Planning and Development Act, 2006 and the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999). – Yours, etc,
ANNE BAILY,
Carrick-on-Suir,
Co Tipperary.