8. What can be done?

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The global community has a choice to make. We could ignore this issue because either we don't believe the predictions or because we think the effect is exaggerated. Alternatively we could choose to alter our lifestyle so that less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. But how easy is it to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels?

Western development has occurred simultaneously with energy usage, and most of this energy comes from fossil fuels: for example, the energy use by the average American is 150 times greater than that of the average person in Zaire. To maintain the same lifestyle AND reduce carbon releases means that we would have to find alternative, clean, sources of energy.

In the case of Ireland, over 95% of our energy (for use in transport, industry and heating) is derived from fossil fuels. Currently it is thought that the only alternative, commercially viable, clean, energy source for Ireland is wind energy.