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Two reports launched today illustrate
all too clearly the energy crisis we face, Green Party Energy
Spokesperson Eamon Ryan said today. A report by Sustainable Energy
Ireland (SIE) on energy statistics in 2005 shows a worrying
're-coupling' of CO2 emissions with growing energy use. Meanwhile
another report published today by the US National Centre for
Atmospheric Research shows that the permanent ice cover in the Artic
may disappear as soon as 2040.
Commenting on today's reports Deputy Ryan said: "The fact that our
greenhouse gas emissions are again increasing faster than our actual
use of energy is a damning indictment of Government policy. For the
last ten years we have ignored the twin perils of increasing
reliance on imported fossil fuels and soaring greenhouse gas
emissions.
"Our use of energy in transport is increasing by over eight per cent
every year as a direct result of this Government's failure to invest
in public transport. And our decision to build expensive and
polluting peat fired power stations instead of cheaper renewable
energy alternatives will be seen in the future as an example of
woeful long term planning.
"The most ominous figure in the SEI report is that our use of energy
is predicted to rise by a further 30% in the next 14 years. Over the
same period the Taoiseach has committed Ireland – under a European
climate change initiative – to reduce emissions by 35%. These
commitments bear no relation to the grave reality of emissions in
Ireland.
"The Government's continuing denial and its lack of urgency about
climate change illustrates a complete absence of morality. Our
related over-reliance on imported fossil fuels will also be one of
the greatest threats to our economy. The energy statistics revealed
today are absolutely damning."
Green Party Environment Spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD added:
"The problem of climate change is not going to go away. Today's
report on the rapid melting of the Artic Ice Cap shows, in fact, the
absolute urgency of this issue."
"The Government's decision to face up to the climate change
challenge by buying carbon credits and investing in projects abroad
is likely to see huge outflows of capital from this country, and the
€270m put aside in last week's budget for carbon credits may turn
out to be only a fraction of the final cost."
"While the UK Government is considering issuing personal carbon
allowances, all we hear from Dick Roche are plans to fund projects
in Kazakhstan and other countries. The Irish Government's approach
to climate change is woefully misguided."
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