Ireland: Farmers ‘can help supply energy’

Global warming, described by former United States President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair as the greatest crisis facing humanity, presents opportunities for Irish agriculture to make a great contribution to national energy self-sufficiency.

Dr Eddie O’Connor, chief executive of Airtricity, the independent supplier of wind generated energy, said global warming killed 160,000 people last year. By the middle of this century it will have wiped out one million species. “The population of the planet could be halved by 2100 as large areas become susceptible to drought and others to flooding.
Dr O’Connor said, at the same time as the explosive release of greenhouse gas happens, other factors are emerging to change life on the planet as people know it. The peak of oil is coming. The Chinese, believe it is happening now. Others, like some oil companies, believe it will happen in 2030.

“The person I believe is one Colin Campbell, living in Ballydehob, Co Cork, who has spent a lifetime in oil exploration and production as a geologist. He claims it will peak in 2012,” he said.

Dr O’Connor said Ireland, which imports 90% of its fuel, could make great strides to increase its wealth and competitiveness if it builds on the great strength of the country’s agricultural tradition. Instead of set-aside and growing food, people could grow energy crops.

Irish Examiner