Put energy into saving the world

CLIMATE change poses a threat to the entire world and Ireland must play its part in reducing carbon emissions.

It has also been established human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, are the dominant cause of environmental damage.

In the coming decades, rising sea levels pose a direct threat to the Irish coastline and major cities and towns face being flooded.

After much criticism the Government has now resolved to introduce a carbon tax in a bid to change behaviour rather then take money from their pockets.

The public cannot be blamed for taking such claims with a pinch of salt and will remember how the Universal Social Charge was supposed to be an emergency measure but ended up being a permanent income tax on top of PAYE.

While every effort must be made to encourage the public to use cleaner energy, ordinary homeowners must not end up with what could amount to another property tax.

Transport accounts for much of this country’s emissions and this is exacerbated by the lack of an electrified rail system and an almost total dependence on diesel-powered buses.

It is also a nonsense for the Government to be calling for the public to use electric cars when the fossil fuels generate their power.

If the State wants to change the public’s behaviour when it comes to clean energy it might start by setting a good example.