A man with a plan
Eamon Ryan, Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources for Ireland, is thought to be the only serving Government Minister in the West to acknowledge, and plan for, the onset of declining oil supplies.
His name was briefly mentioned during the podcast I did with David Strahan, though we didn't have time to explore the ministers' "blueprints" for minimising, on a national level, the upheavals of a potentially massive change-of-lifestyle.
In this short 11 minute interview recorded at the latest Association for the Study of Peak Oil (ASPO) conference in Ireland, Eamon Ryan demonstrates a clear understanding of the dual threats of peak oil and climate change... and a willingness to confront the uncomfortable decisions needed.
Tax or energy rationing?
The minister is not afraid to admit it: both tax and energy rationing, in his view, are potent levers to effect behaviour change. He does concede, however, that it would be "very difficult, politically" to impose the punitive levels of taxation needed across all strata's of society fairly.
But taxes, in tandem with a managed energy rationing program, he believes, could smooth a path to an "ordered retreat" from oil reliance whilst giving people the chance to choose an alternative energy replacement.
We seriously need more leaders like Eamon who are willing to think, say, plan, and make, the difficult - no doubt unpopular - decisions sooner, rather than later.
Related post: The EPC, The Smart Meter and the Green Homes Service
Tags: peak-oil, climate-change
