Sir, – Were any other readers apart from myself struck by the juxtaposed headlines on page 4 of today’s paper (April 15th)? “Government pushes for leeway on emissions” and “Two decades left to save the world, says Robinson”.
If the agricultural industry has its way and our dairying sector expands when milk quotas are abolished next year, then meeting our obligations in relation to emission targets for 2020 will become an impossibility.
We are an agricultural country and it is a sector that needs to expand but what is required is an incentive to increase tillage and horticulture, fruit and vegetables rather than dairy and livestock. In terms of food security, as well as environment, this would make a lot of sense.
The day will have to come when the quality of our children’s and grandchildren’s future wins out over big bucks. Yours, etc,
SALLY SWEENEY,
Carrigavantry,
Co Waterford
Sir, – So after all the years of telling the world that we need to change our ways to save the planet – by the environmentalists, Greens, hippies , eco-warriors, nature lovers, gardeners etc, Mary Robinson et al decide that it’s now time for us to “decarbonise” and that we only have 20 years to do so. Get a grip people, the truth is that it is already too late, because we will never change our ways and live in harmony with nature as we should and we cannot depend on politicians or corporations to do the right thing. At the end of the day the planet will have the last laugh – and it will be on us. Yours, etc,
JIM CREAGH,
Castlefreke ,
Co Cork