I will start by posting my address. “Speaking as a co-founder of Transition Ireland & Northern Ireland and convener of the *People’s Energy Charter, I am delighted that the word transition appears in this report at least 100 times. Even more welcome is it’s context and intent. I sincerely expect that the People’s Energy Charter –Continue reading “Launch of National Economic and Social Council NESC report “Wind Energy in Ireland : Building Community Engagement and Social Support””
Category Archives: politics
Welcoming the debate and stakeholder engagement
This week I attended the Energy Ireland conference. Predictably my agenda was public participation. Almost as predictable is the fact that social or “public acceptance” in energy plans, policies and projects was a big issue throughout the two days with one afternoon workshop being dedicated to “stakeholder engagement”. It got off to a great start when aContinue reading “Welcoming the debate and stakeholder engagement”
Where were the “Public” at the launch of the Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland?
Today, May 12th 2014, I attended the launch of the Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland. The room appeared full of industry, government officials, representatives of non government organisations and state agencies, the irish Farmers Association; basically plenty of people who looked like they attended such events on a regular basis and were familiar with eachContinue reading “Where were the “Public” at the launch of the Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland?”
What are we teaching our children?
Letter to the Irish Times Editor Sir Climate change – what are we teaching our children? I have 5 children from junior infants through to third year in college. All of them have encountered climate change throughout the course of their formal education. It is very much part of the syllabus from primary school scienceContinue reading “What are we teaching our children?”
NESC National and Economic Social Council workshop “Wind Energy in Ireland: The Challenge of Community Engagement and Social Acceptance”
NESC National and Economic Social Council workshop “Wind Energy in Ireland: The Challenge of Community Engagement and Social Acceptance” I am only going to report on the input I had to this workshop on February 28th 2014, as I did not seek agreement from the other attendees to quote them. During my introduction I agreedContinue reading “NESC National and Economic Social Council workshop “Wind Energy in Ireland: The Challenge of Community Engagement and Social Acceptance””
Community “Acceptance”
I attended the Irish Renewable Energy Summit 2014 on February 20th. I found it to be a lot of corporate back slapping and happy talk. Everyone was delighted with their little patch and the bigger picture but absolutely baffled by the challenge of “community acceptance”. As I explained to a couple of folk from SEAIContinue reading “Community “Acceptance””
Welcome Horse – Goodbye Snake
In this year of the horse I want to see a new system of decision making. I want everyone in our country having the opportunity to design the future they see for Ireland. Now that I have done the shedding for the year of the snake, I am happy to move on to theContinue reading “Welcome Horse – Goodbye Snake”
National Energy Review – We need a Vision
Well that has been some week! I met with my local Senator, John Whelan, last Thursday January 9th. We had a long chat about Ireland’s energy policies and everything they evoked. We agreed on lots but one thing in particular – Irelands energy policy needs an overhaul – a complete, extensive review with public participationContinue reading “National Energy Review – We need a Vision”
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