Thanks to the kind readers of this blog who enquired about the absence of new blog posts over the past few months. The author has been diverted on other fronts over the summer months but is determined to get back to regular communications from now on.
This website (www.greenquest.ie) has undergone significant changes since the early part of 2011. The most significant change is the ending of the monthly quiz with prizes. This is due to the drop in sponsorship brought about by the general economic downturn. The website has always operated on a pro-bono, not-for-profit basis and all sponsorship was given out as prizes, apart from the money paid to the web host. There is just sufficient funding this year to keep the site open so the quiz and prizes were dropped and the environmental theme pages and an occasional blog were maintained.
The economic downturn has, to some extent, pushed environmental issues off the current affairs agenda. This is understandable as people worry about job losses, dole queues, emigration, negative equity and mortgage repayments. Politicians and economic commentators worry about a double dip recession and talk about the need to return to economic growth.
Global growth in a world of finite resources is difficult to sustain indefinitely, especially in a world where population figures are predicted to pass the 7 billion mark by the end of this year. Climate change and peak oil can only exacerbate the problem. At present millions are starving in Somalia, and Texas is experiencing one of the worst droughts since records began.
The economic collapse in Ireland should be used as a springboard for development that is truly sustainable. Long term sustainable development is built on three pillars; economic, social and environmental. Ireland has strong social cohesion and a magnificent environment. By leveraging these two pillars we can develop the economy along sustainable lines that will not go through cycles of boom and bust but will be steady and sustained. Exploiting our renewable energy potential, especially wind and pumped storage, should be a priority.
The need remains to raise environmental awareness, particularly in these tough economic times. This website was established to make a small contribution to that need with the tag line 'Engage, Inform and Inspire' . While we can no longer engage people through the offer of monthly prizes we hope that the many hundreds who log on each week will continue to do so.
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