Category Archives: Energy

Myths and mischief-making in renewable energy reporting

Posted on August 31, 2012 by John Gibbons

I couldn’t have claimed to be Ireland’s greatest fan of wind energy. Not because I don’t think it’s a good idea – it is – but rather, my concern is whether it will ever be deployed on a scale sufficient … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Irish Focus, Sceptics, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Doom with a view? Trap tightens on our diminishing prospects

Posted on May 15, 2012 by John Gibbons

In the current issue of ‘Village’ magazine, editor Michael Smith has explored at length and in some depth the array of formidable challenges that humanity (and all other species on Earth) face in the years and decades ahead. It’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Biodiversity, Energy, Global Warming, Irish Focus, Sustainability | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will

Posted on December 14, 2011 by John Gibbons

Any lingering sense, however slight, that humanity could shake itself from its collective somnambulation in time to arrest the coming twin ecological and resource catastrophes was finally snuffed out this month in Durban. Here, the nations of the world in … Continue reading →

Posted in Biodiversity, Economics, Energy, Global Warming, Media | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

The devil or the deep blue sea – our nuclear conundrum

Posted on September 16, 2011 by John Gibbons

Twenty five years ago, in the early hours of April 26, 1986 a botched safety test led to a massive explosion at one of the four nuclear reactors at Chernobyl in Belarus. This was the world’s most serious nuclear event … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Nuclear, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

More power to us if we choose nuclear option

Posted on August 25, 2011 by John Gibbons

Time to shake the ‘drill baby, drill’ debate on Ireland’s energy future up a little? here’s my piece in today’s Irish Times OPINION: Instead of seeking partners to exploit hoped-for offshore fossil fuel resources, Ireland should consider building some medium-sized … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Nuclear, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

The decline and fall of the Human Empire

Posted on June 11, 2011 by John Gibbons

Below is my article, as it appears over four pages in the current edition of ‘Village’ magazine: Doomsday cults are as old as human civilisation. The Bible is a rich sourcebook for ‘End Times’ enthusiasts, who pore over Iron Age … Continue reading →

Posted in Biodiversity, Economics, Energy, Global Warming, Irish Focus, Media, Sustainability | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

In the world, at the limits to growth

Posted on June 7, 2011 by David Korowicz

By David Korowicz* We imagine this country is in crisis, yet crisis is relative. Most people in the world would envy our material austerity and be thankful for our endlessly ‘collapsing’ health service. But, with our expectations thwarted and in … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Energy, Global Warming, Peak Oil, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Fukushima a godsend for anti-nuclear bandwagon

Posted on March 22, 2011 by John Gibbons

I’ve been following the unfolding nuclear “crisis” in Japan with growing alarm. People who call themselves environmentalists have been jumping up and down with thinly disguised glee, pointing and waving and saying: “there, we warned you, nuclear is GONNA KILL … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Nuclear, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , , , | 49 Comments

Out of his depth in Deepwater thinking…

Posted on November 12, 2010 by John Gibbons

According to a tweet from John Gormley in the last couple of hours, a climate change bill will finally make its way to the Cabinet next Tuesday (16th). Much credit here is due to Labour’s Liz McManus, rapporteur on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Irish Focus, Peak Oil | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Energy constraints will collapse global economic recovery

Posted on October 14, 2010 by David Korowicz

We may rail against the regulators, politicians, and others who failed to understand and manage past  risks, but we are just as culpable for our  failure to engage with severe, well-signposted, imminent ones. Impassioned arguments over bank nationalisation, the austerity-stimulus … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Energy, Global Warming, Peak Oil, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Driving an Electric Car

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Paddy Morris

I was fortunate enough to test-drive the Nissan Leaf this week, and thought I would post some first impressions. The car itself is very comfortable, and for anyone used to a Prius (or any automatic), it drives exactly like a … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Peak Oil, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Argument versus Proselytising: Developing and defending a rational debate on energy and survival.

Posted on April 11, 2010 by Tony Kinsella

The debate on climate change faces a number of inherent handicaps. Human nature is perhaps the most important. At our best, we deal reasonably well with the present and the immediate future. If next Christmas seems remote, our abilities to … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Peak Oil, Sceptics, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Ireland among most vulnerable to peak oil

Posted on April 8, 2010 by John Gibbons

HERE’S A conundrum: restarting global economic growth will, by definition, push up energy costs. Rising energy costs will in turn choke off that economic recovery, leading to a fall in energy prices. Try to restart growth again, and the brick … Continue reading →

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Decreasing carbon emissions without affecting the quality of life

Posted on March 9, 2010 by Paddy Morris

There are a couple of simple ideas, which if implemented could make deep and long term cuts in our carbon emissions, while maintaining (or even increasing) the quality of life for all. In no particular order, they are: 1. Immediately … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Energy, Global Warming, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Doing our best versus doing what’s required

Posted on March 3, 2010 by John Gibbons

Yesterday afternoon, I was one of a panel of four from the ‘environmental’ field who met under the ageis of Common Purpose with a group of around 25-30 senior figures from the world of business, finance, the semi-state sector and … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Sceptics, Sustainability | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments