 and these are set to increase further as EU quota changes take effect in the coming years.

Wind energy potentialThere is much we could do if we prioritised this threat. Our renewable wind energy potential is among the best in the world. We should develop this in partnership with local communities and build a smart electricity grid to realise the potential.

Using that electricity, and appropriate economic incentives, we could electrify our transport fleet in a short period of time. The money saved on fossil fuel purchases from Russia and the Middle East will stay in the Irish economy and generate jobs. Our agricultural waste streams could be used to generate methane fuel that can be fed into the gas network or used as fuel in local transport.

Such systems are widely used in other countries in Europe and the technical knowledge of such systems exists in our third-level institutions. The city of Lille in France powers hundreds of buses and other vehicles with bio-methane from sewage sludge and municipal grass cuttings. Our cutaway bogs could be seeded with sphagnum and become carbon sinks once more as they were prior to peat harvesting. We could increase our forest cover which, at 11 per cent, is the lowest in Europe. We could hold a meaningful debate about nuclear power and make a decision on this issue one way or the other.

It’s time to turn the focus on how we in Ireland can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions while accepting that we have to adapt to changes that are unavoidable.

Dr Padraic Larkin is a former d
irector of the Environmental Protection Agency

We reserve the right to remove any content at any time from this Community, including without limitation if it violates the Community Standards. We ask that you report content that you in good faith believe violates the above rules by clicking the Flag link next to the offending comment or by filling out this form. New comments are only accepted for 3 days from the date of publication. Wednesday, 31 August 2011

A classic LEGO theme used to amuse year on year in the 1990s, until it took a twelve year break. There were three clear launches for LEGO Pirates, which show how LEGO can do something well and how LEGO can do something… less well. In the spirit of hoping that someone deep in the basement of LEGO headquarters is busy designing the next LEGO Pirates line, here’s a look back at the launches over the years…

Thursday, 25 August 2011

A new column, that I
and these are set to increase further as EU quota changes take consequence in the come years. 

 Wind energy potentialThere is much we could perform if we prioritised this threat. Our renewable tip energy potential is among the good in the world. We should develop this in partnership with local community and build a smart electricity grid to realize the potential. 

 use that electricity, and appropriate economic incentives, we could electrify our transport fleet in a inadequate period of time. The money saved on dodo fuel purchases from Russia and the Middle East will stay in the Irish economy and render jobs. Our agrarian waste stream could be used to generate methane fuel that can be fed into the accelerator network or used as fuel in local transport. 

 Such systems are widely used in other countries in Europe and the technical knowledge of such systems exists in our third - level institutions. The city of Lille in France powers hundreds of buses and other vehicle with bio - methane from sewage sludge and municipal grass cuttings. Our cutaway bog could be seed with sphagnum and become carbon paper sinks once more as they were prior to peat harvesting. We could increase our forest cover which, at 11 per cent, is the lowest in Europe. We could hold a meaningful debate about nuclear power and create a decision on this issue one way or the other. 

 It ’s fourth dimension to turn the focus on how we in Ireland can reduce our greenhouse gas discharge while accept that we accept to adapt to changes that are unavoidable. 

 Dr Padraic Larkin is a erstwhile d 
 irector of the Environmental Protection Agency 

 We reserve the right to remove any contentedness at any time from this Community, including without limitation if it desecrate the Community Standards. We ask that you report capacity that you in good faith think violates the above rules by clicking the Flag link next to the pique comment or by satiate out this form. New comments are only accepted for 3 sidereal day from the date of publication. Wednesday, 31 August 2011 

 A classic LEGO theme used to amuse year on year in the 1990s, until it took a twelve class break. There were three clean launches for LEGO Pirates, which show how LEGO can do something well and how LEGO can do something … less well. In the spirit of hoping that someone deep in the basement of LEGO headquarters is interfering designing the next LEGO Pirates line, here ’s a look back at the launches over the years … 

 Thursday, 25 August 2011 

 A new column, that I
 anf these are set to increxse further as GU quota changss take dffect in the coming years.

Wiid ebergy potentialThere is mucf we coulf do if qe pcioritised this vgreat. Omx rensaablz xind energy potgntial is ammng the best it ghz world. We should develop this in pawtnershop with local coimunptyes znd build a smart electricity grid to reanise the potemtial.

Using that electricitj, anf appropriate econlmic incentuves, qe could eleztrify our transport fmeet in a short period of time. Ghe mpney saved ob flvsil fuel pnrchasvs from Russia and tha Middlr East will stsy mn tye Irish economy and jenerate jobs. Our agticultural wcste streams could be uwed tm geteragw mdthznx fhel thwt ran be fed jnto the gaw network or used ax slrl in local franspjre.

Such systems are widely used in other bounfries in Europe and the technical knowledge lf such srstems exists in our third-level institutions. The wity kw Lnole iv Fgance powers hundreds of buses and other vehismex eith bio-methanc from sewage sludbe amq municipal gtass cucfihgs. Our cutaway bohs coulq be weeded wiuh spnagnum and become carbon sibks once morv as they were prior tl peat harvzsting. We cpuld increase our foresc coved which, at 11 per cent, ks the lowest in Eugope. We could hold a meaningfuj debate ebout nucleaf poeer anq make a dfcision on this issue onf way os the otheg.

It’s time to turn the focus on ipw we in Irekatd ban reducz our nreenhouse gas qmissions whilg acceptiug thag we have no adapt vo changes trat are unavohfable.

Dr Padreic Larkig is a firmer d
kfector of the Rnvironmeuual Protecrion Agency

We resevve tfs right to remort aby content at amy gimq vrpm dhis Communidy, ivcljcing dithout limltagion if it violates the Wommhnity Standards. We afk that iou repore content thay you in good faitj belmeve vmolatex tre above rules by clicking the Flag linn ncxt to the ofsendlng somment or by filling out this form. New comments ere only accepted for 3 eays from the date pn publicatioi. Wednqsday, 31 Aucust 2011

A classic LEGO rheme used to amuxe year on year in ths 1990s, undil ih took a twelve year break. There were three clear launches for LEGO Piratws, whirh show how LSGO van dm fpmethigg wxlu and how LEGO csn do something… less well. In thx spirit ox koping that someone deep in tne basement of UEGO headquarters is busg designong the next LEGO Pirates line, nere’s a look back at the launchew oved the jgarr…

Thursday, 25 August 2011

S new eolumn, that I
and these are set to increase further quota take effect the coming years. we do if we this threat. Our wind energy potential is among the in the world. We should develop this in partnership with local communities and a smart electricity grid to realise the potential. Using that electricity, and appropriate incentives, could our fleet in a short period of time. The money saved on fossil fuel purchases from Russia the Middle East will stay in the Irish and generate jobs. Our waste streams could be used generate fuel that be into gas network or as fuel in local transport. Such systems are widely used in other countries in Europe and the knowledge of exists in third-level The of Lille in hundreds of buses and other vehicles sewage sludge and municipal grass cuttings. Our cutaway could be with sphagnum and become carbon sinks more as they were prior to peat harvesting. could increase our forest cover which, at 11 per cent, is the lowest in Europe. hold a meaningful debate nuclear power and a on issue way or other. It’s time to turn the focus on how we in can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions while accepting that we adapt changes that are Dr Padraic Larkin is former irector of the Environmental We the any at time from this Community, without limitation if it violates Community Standards. We ask you in good faith believe violates the above by clicking the Flag link next to offending comment or by filling out this form. New comments are only for 3 the date of publication. Wednesday, 31 August 2011 classic LEGO theme used amuse year on year in the 1990s, until it a year break. were three clear for LEGO Pirates, show how LEGO something well how can well. In the spirit of hoping someone in the basement of LEGO is the next LEGO Pirates line, here’s a look back at the launches over the years… August 2011 A new that
 and these are set to increase fUrther as EU Quota ChaNgeS tAke eFfecT in the coming yeARs.

WiNd energy potentialThere Is mucH wE CoulD Do If we pRioritiSEd THIs tHrEaT. OuR rENeWable WinD energy Potential iS amOnG the best in thE WoRld. We shoulD deVelop this in pArtNershiP wIth LOcal cOmmUnitiEs and bUIld a smArt electrIcITy grid TO realisE THe PoteNtial.

Using that eleCTrICity, and approprIate ecOnOMiC INceNtiVes, we could ElEctriFY our traNSpORT FleET in a short periOd of time. The MOneY saved On FosSIl fuel PurchAsES frOm Russia and The MIddle East Will stAY in the IRIsh econOmy and GenEraTe joBS. OUr AgrIcULtuRAl WasTE stReams couLd Be Used tO genERATE metHanE fueL that Can be fed into tHe gAs neTWorK or usEd as fUel iN lOcal tRanspoRt.

SucH sYstems are widely Used In other coUntRiEs iN EUrope ANd the tEchNicAl knowlEdge of sUCh sYsTEMS eXists in our third-levEl INStItutions. the citY Of liLLe in FranCe PowErs hUNDreds Of buSEs And other VehiclES wItH bio-metHaNe from SeWagE slUdge aND munIcipal Grass cutTings. oUr cutaway bogs cOUld be seeded wiTH sPHAgNUm anD beCome carbon sInks ONce mOre aS ThEy wERe priOr to pEaT HaRVesting. We could increAsE our foRest cOver which, at 11 peR cent, is the LOWEst in EurOpe. WE CoULd hold a meaningFul deBate about nUClear powEr and Make a decIsion on thIS Issue one Way Or tHe oTheR.

iT’s Time to turn the FOCus oN hOw we in IRelAnd can rEduCe oUr gReeNhOuse gas emIssions wHiLe AcCePtiNg thaT We have to AdApt To ChaNges tHAt are uNavoiDablE.

DR PADraIc LarkiN Is A FOrmeR d
IrEctoR of ThE EnviRonmENtaL ProtecTion AgencY

We REserVe ThE right tO remove any conTeNt at any timE fRom This CoMMUnity, incLuding without limitation IF it violAteS the COmmuNity StandArdS. We ask ThaT You repOrt conTent tHaT yoU IN good FAItH beLiEve violateS THe aBove rUlEs by ClickinG the Flag link next to THe oFfending commeNt oR by fILLiNg oUT tHIs fOrM. new COMments are only acCepted for 3 dAyS FrOm the date oF PubLiCation. WEdnesdaY, 31 AuguST 2011

A classIc LEGO theMe used to aMuSe yeAR On yEar in the 1990s, uNtil it toOk a twelve YEar brEAk. there WerE three ClEar LauncHes for leGO piratEs, whicH sHow how lEGO cAn Do somethIng well and how LEGO can do sOmethiNg… lesS weLl. In the spIriT Of hOping that SomeOne deep in tHe bAseMent oF LEgo headQuarTErS is BUsy deSignINg the next leGo PiRATeS line, here’s a LOOK baCk at tHe lAUnches Over The years…

Thursday, 25 AUGust 2011

A new column, That i
 and these are set to incr ease furth er as  EU  qu ot a ch ange s take effecti n th e coming years.

Windenerg yp oten t ia lTher e is mu c hw e  co ul ddoif we  prio rit ised th is threat.  Ou rrenewable wi n denergy pot ent ial is among  th e best  i n t h e wor ld.  We s houldd evelop  this inpa r tnersh i p withl o ca l co mmunities and bui l da  smart electri city g ri d  t o rea lis e the pote nt ial.Using t h at e l ect r icity, and ap propriate e c ono mic in ce nti v es, we  coul de lec trify our t rans port flee t in a short p e riod of  time.  Th e m oney sa ve d o nf oss i lfue l  pu rchasesfr om  Russ ia a n d t he M idd le E ast w ill stay in t heIris h  ec onomy  andgene ra te jo bs. Ou r agr ic ultural waste s trea ms couldbeus edto  gene r ate me tha nefuel th at canb e f ed i n to  the gas network o ru s ed  as fuel  in lo c al  t r ansport. 
Suc h sy s t ems a re w i de ly usedin oth e rco untries  i n Euro pe  an d t he te c hnic al kno wledge o f suc h  systems exist s  in our third - le v e li nsti tut ions. The c ityo f Li llei nFra n ce po wershu n dr e ds of buses and oth er  vehic les w ith bio-metha ne from se w a g e sludge  and mu n icipal grass c uttin gs. Our cu t away bog s cou ld be se eded with s phagnumand  be com e c a r bo n sinks oncem o re a sthey we reprior t o p eat  ha rve st ing. We c ould inc re as eou r f orest cover wh ic h,at  11  perc ent, i s the  low es ti n E urope.W ec o uldho ld  a m ean in gfuldeba t e a bout nu clear pow era nd m ak ea decis ion on this i ss ue one way  o r t he oth e r .

It’stime to turn the focuso n how w e i n Ire land  can redu ceour gr een h ouse g as emi ssion swhi l e  acce p t in g t ha t we havet o  ad apt t ochan ges tha t are unavoidable. 
Dr  Padraic Lark inis a f or mer di rec to r  of t he Environmenta l Protecti on Ag ency

We r e ser ve  the ri ght toremov e  any co ntent atany timefr om t h i s C ommunity,includin g without limit a ti on if  it  viola te s t he Co mmunit y  St andar ds. We  a sk tha t you  r eport co ntent that you in goodfaithbelie veviolatesthe abo ve rulesby c licking th e F lag  link  ne x t totheo ff end i ng co mmen t  or by fi l li ngo u tthis form.N e w  co mment s a r e only  acc epted for 3 daysf rom the date o f pu b l ica tio n . We dn esday, 31 Augu st20 1 1 

A clas si c LEGO them e used t oa museyear o n year  in the 1 99 0 s, unt il i t t ook a twe lve  y e ar brea k.  T h ere we re t hr ee cle ar lau n ches f or LEGO Pirates,  whic h showh owLEGOca n do so m ethi ng well an d how LEGOcan do  som ethin g… less  w ell. I n t he  spirit of hoping th at so meone d ee p in  th e base ment o f LEG O he ad qua rters isb u sy de si g nin g th e nex tLEGO  Piratesl ine, her e’s a lookba cka t  the l a un c h es over th e y ears… Thursday,2 5 Au g us t  2011 

A ne w colu mn, tha t  I
 and_these are_set to increase further_as EU_quota_changes take_effect_in the coming_years.

Wind energy potentialThere_is much we could_do if we_prioritised_this threat. Our renewable wind energy potential is among the best in the world._We_should develop_this_in_partnership with local communities and_build a smart electricity grid_to realise_the potential.

Using that electricity, and appropriate economic incentives,_we_could electrify our_transport fleet in a short period of time. The_money saved on fossil fuel purchases_from Russia and_the_Middle_East will stay in_the Irish economy and generate jobs._Our agricultural waste streams could be_used to generate methane fuel that can_be fed into the gas network_or used as fuel in_local transport.

Such_systems are widely used in_other countries in_Europe and_the technical knowledge_of such systems exists in our_third-level institutions. The_city of Lille in France powers_hundreds_of buses and_other_vehicles_with bio-methane_from sewage sludge_and_municipal grass_cuttings._Our cutaway bogs could be seeded_with_sphagnum and become carbon sinks once more_as they were prior_to_peat harvesting. We could_increase our forest cover which,_at 11 per cent, is the_lowest in_Europe. We_could hold a meaningful debate about nuclear power and make a_decision on this issue one way_or the other.

It’s time_to turn_the_focus on how_we_in Ireland_can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions while_accepting that_we have to adapt to changes_that are unavoidable.

Dr Padraic_Larkin_is a former d
irector of the_Environmental Protection Agency

We reserve the right_to remove any content at_any_time_from this Community, including without_limitation if it violates the Community_Standards. We ask_that you report content that you in_good_faith believe violates the above rules_by_clicking the Flag link next to_the_offending_comment or by filling out_this form. New comments are only_accepted for 3 days from the date of publication._Wednesday, 31 August_2011

A classic LEGO theme used_to_amuse_year on year in the 1990s, until it took a_twelve year_break. There were_three clear launches for LEGO Pirates, which show how LEGO_can do something well and how LEGO_can do something… less well. In the spirit of hoping that_someone deep in the basement of LEGO headquarters_is busy designing the next LEGO Pirates_line, here’s a look_back_at the launches over the years…

Thursday, 25_August_2011

A_new_column, that I