This week the climate change crowd is making drastic
predictions with some saying it is already too late to do anything while others are demanding even more of our money to 'fight climate.' It's a bit like fighting terror in that there's no end to it. One way or another though it always comes back to money, doesn't it?
I have written before that I'm far from convinced that our changing climate is down to mankind's activities because in the great scheme of things we are quite small. The other thing that bothers me is that the damning evidence comes from computer modeling software predicting the future. It seems to me that whenever some pressure group decide to go on a crusade they begin with some wealthy source of backing, computer modeling software and use the money to employ expert lobbyists to get our Government to force us all to give the pressure group even more of our money.
The wealthy backer/s is repaid in spades and the scam is up and running with a steady flow of money to fuel it. This is how anti-tobacco began and it has morphed into the hugely profitable multi-national Tobacco Control Industry loaded with six-figure salaries and pension plans, paid for by the innocent smoker. But Climate Change is the Daddy of them all and the money there worldwide is measured in hundreds of billions. The Green mob are rolling in it and it's all coming out of our tax money, mostly unseen by you and I.
Just how much was the topic of an article by Ed Walsh in June last year. Ed tells us that, "The Oireachtas gave it the green light on October 27. But earlier that month the Attorney-General advised that it was necessary to have an indication of the cost of complying with the Paris Agreement prior to Oireachtas ratification. However, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten has yet to reveal the cost." He reports that Germany's Environment Minister said the transition to renewable energy may cost up to €1,000bn during the next two decades. So the Germans are budgeting for an extra cost to their taxpayers of €50bn a year, the kind of figure that might even drive Germany into recession. "This represents a cost – direct and indirect – to a German household of four, of more than €25,000," we are told.
Ed Walsh helpfully points out that most of our greenhouse gases are generated by agriculture in Ireland and this would naturally have to mean the depletion of the herds at a time they are being purposely increased. But the climate crowd want us out of our cars and onto shanks mare in short order by making driving too expensive, (due to climate taxes). There's a touch of the irresistible force meeting the immoveable object here though. Most of us couldn't walk to our workplace because it is too far away and public transport is a joke. If agriculture shrinks then those in the countryside will have few places to walk to anyway. So where is the money supposed to come from to pay taxes to give to the climate experts? You cannot expect to shrink national economic activity and still demand taxes too.
The other question which begs an answer is, where is all the money going and what's it being used for? Take little Ireland for example. Ed tells us that, "If the figures released in Germany during the past weeks are any guide, the total cost for Ireland, between now and 2030, is likely to be in the €30bn to €40bn range: equivalent to a quarter of the national debt." After Japan, Ireland's per capita debt is still the highest in the world. We are currently struggling to find the interest on our national debt and added to that, we are constantly increasing the debt amount to just keep the ship afloat. On average the numbers above mean that somebody somewhere here is in the frame for €3bn a year for the next thirteen years in order to fight climate change. That comes to well over eight million, (euros), a day, (seven-days-a-week). Who in this country is getting that and what are they using it for? It's a fair question.
Reports I have read on windmills suggest they cost more on expended fossil fuels to manufacture than they ever return in renewable energy in their lifetime. Solar panels too have been a disappointment requiring a sizable capital outlay for very little return. Yet whenever I hear the Green voice on radio they are always spouting about increased grant aid for these things while also demanding increased taxation on fossil fuels. They make wild claims about returns from renewable sources that are not validated by scientific research. Are the Greens getting eight million a day to lie to us? The biggest problem with all of these stealth taxes is that we don't see them. What we do see though is Government Ministers staring at the cameras forlornly as they tell us yet again that money is just not available for essential services. That €3bn a year would solve homelessness overnight, which is standing at 7,000 persons this morning, and still have loads left over. Perhaps those same Government Ministers might look again at where they are spending our money?
But Ed Walsh finishes up by explaining that, "Until there is clearer evidence temperature growth predictions are not as exaggerated as many reputable scientists believe, Ireland would be wise to hasten slowly. In the event the Oireachtas refuses to ratify the Paris Agreement it is estimated fines of up to €5.5bn may arise by 2030; suggesting an alternative approach." Do any of you even remember which of our Ministers ratified that Paris Agreement on our behalf? I mentioned this in an earlier article before Christmas 2015 where I pointed out that Enda Kenny caused consternation at the time by being lukewarm on the Paris Agreement, (A Hostile Climate). I touched on climate again later too with "Climate Conundrum."
So my conclusion at present is that while the climate is changing, possibly from natural causes, it's the huge amounts of money changing hands by force is where the real story lies.