Sir, – David McWilliams writes that, without any indigenous oil production of our own, Ireland is exceptionally exposed to the economic impact of the Middle East conflict (“Disruption to gas rather than oil might hit Ireland most dramatically”, March 7th). Oh, so close, yet so far off. What he ought to have said is that the most recent conflict shows how vulnerable our continued reliance on fossil fuels makes us.
Yes, we must talk about energy security and energy sovereignty, but the solution is not more fossil fuels.
There will always be another conflict and another excuse to continue using fossil fuels.
So instead, let’s use this as an opportunity to wean ourselves off fossil fuels and promote sustainable energy, combined with policies to limit the ever-expanding energy demands of data centres, which are impeding our transition to sustainable energy.
That is what we ought to be doing in 2026, not producing more indigenous fossil fuels. – Yours, etc,
Dr OLA LØKKEN NORDRUM
Beggar’s Bush,
Dublin 4.
Sir, – In 1986, the world’s largest iceberg, A23a, measuring 4,000sq km, broke off in the Antarctic. In a circuitous journey, A23a drifted north into warmer seas over the next 40 years and will sadly vanish in the coming weeks.
In 1986, Ireland had a relatively cool year, with an average temperature of 8.2 degrees, but by 2025 this rose to 11.2 degrees – almost 40 per cent warmer. While there is no scientific evidence linking a changing climate to the disappearance of A23a, the direction of travel is clear. Global warming has driven sea levels to rise 9.37cm between 2000 and 2025.
According to Irish Rail, the impacts of coastal erosion on the east coast of Ireland from Dublin to Wicklow are increasingly evident, with beaches and cliffs being eroded on an annual basis. Some areas along the rail line have recorded encroachment of up to 30 metres in the last 10 years alone. The recent floods have caused devastating impacts to homes and businesses.
This week, the world is absorbing the latest economic energy shock of sudden oil and gas price rises. Ireland must do more to reduce the risk to our citizens and adapt to the worsening impact of climate change. We must accelerate decarbonisation of energy and seek to be energy-independent as quickly as possible. – Yours, etc,
MARK FOX
Shankill,
Dublin 18.