Hope on the horizon

Carbon sinks are natural or man made reservoirs that store carbon in vast amounts. Forests and oceans are examples of natural carbon sinks, and man-made carbon capture and storage (CSS) is now being attempted on a large scale. See more information on carbon sinks here. 

Wind Power

Windfarming is an eco-friendly alternative to other methods of energy prodoction which result in large scale levels of GHG emissions. Ireland's first windfarm was built in Bellacorick, Co. Mayo in 1992. This wind farm can provide approximately 4,500 households with electricity.

Copyright the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Wind Power
Copyright the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Wind Power

Windfarming is an eco-friendly alternative to other methods of energy prodoction which result in large scale levels of GHG emissions. Ireland's first windfarm was built in Bellacorick, Co. Mayo in 1992. This wind farm can provide approximately 4,500 households with electricity.

Copyright the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

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Wind energy is currently the largest contributing resource of renewable energy in Ireland. It is both Ireland’s largest and cheapest renewable electricity resource. In 2018 Wind provided 85% of Ireland’s renewable electricity and 30% of our total electricity demand. It is the second greatest source of electricity generation in Ireland after natural gas. Ireland is one of the leading countries in its use of wind energy and 3rd place worldwide in 2018, after Denmark and Uruguay (SEAI, 2021). 

Climate change poses a huge threat to the water resources. The need to preserve and conserve our water supply is another element to be considered in the long term. Action needs to be taken now in order to ensure the sustainability of water supplies. According to the Irish Academy of Engineering report on water, the successful management of future water resources will depend on our ability to implement and adhere to policies that take full account of the risks posed by global climate change.

Countries like Denmark are embracing the dynamic future we all face under climate change, making the move away from fossil fuels toward fully renewable energy systems.