Madam, - As we enter a period of unprecedented economic, social and political crises, I am amazed at the lack of an alternative vision and programme of action to meet these challenges from any section of Irish society.
With the onset of global warming and a looming economic depression now is the time for this country to become energy self-sufficient as a springboard for future growth and continued prosperity. As low corporation tax was a factor in the emergence of the Celtic Tiger, so green energy sustainability could be the engine for Ireland's future economic viability and social progress.
We must begin immediately to reduce our reliance on the imported fossil fuels of oil and gas. This entails a concerted and rapid response from Government and its agencies, research institutions and universities to plan for energy generation from the wind, waves, tides and biomass. We need to set targets now and penalise ourselves if we don't meet them. What about the year 2020 for 50 per cent of electricity from these sources?
Now is the time for a private and public partnership programme of investment in building and erecting windmills, tidal barrages and biomass plants for both electricity generation and transport. We should move speedily to electrically powered private and public transport systems. Why can't we be the first country in Europe to move to mass usage of the electric car?
Just think of the employment and investment opportunities that await in implementing such a programme. We have the knowledge, skills and expertise, but where are the men and women with the necessary belief, vision and commitment to take responsibility to lead us to a bright, green sustainable future for all generations on this island. - Yours, etc,
GLENN PHILLIPS,
Brosna, Tralee,
Co Kerry.
Madam, - There seems to be a tendency to consider the present recession as some kind of natural phenomenon which it is beyond human power to change. This is quite wrong. There is no natural basis for a recession. It is entirely human; it happens inside people's heads.
In particular, it happens inside the heads of those few people who make decisions about investment. If they think that the economy is bad they will hold back from putting their money into it, thereby creating the very conditions that they are trying to avoid. Positive feedback then comes in, making matters far worse.
The only remedy is to change these people's ways of thinking. This kind of change is very difficult, no doubt, but surely not impossible. - Yours, etc,
G.F. DALTON,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.