One certain fact regarding knowledge of climate is that very little is known about climate. Carbon Dioxide represents less than 1% of the air we breathe. The current atmospheric composition sustains the human life form. The reserves of gas, oil, and coal represent a massive quantity of carbon which was once harvested by prehistoric life forms. Whether the carbon was extracted from the atmosphere is not certain, but it seems reasonable to regard the air as a likely source. It would not be surprising if a radical change in climate resulted from a minor variation in the composition of the atmosphere. In the certainty of our ignorance of these matters, carbon trading must rank as one of the most absurd activities yet devised. Releasing the same volume of carbon dioxide in two different locations on the globe could have vastly different consequences. Furthermore, those who argue that the release of Carbon Dioxide by civilisation represents a fraction of that released naturally, conveniently avoid the fact that like the difference between profit and loss on the balance sheet, marginal effects can have a profound impact. It may be that intellegent life has not yet evolved on this planet.

For many peole, the name of Ireland immediately evokes visions of bogland and turf cutting. Although much of the backbreaking work of turf extraction is now carried out by machinery, the business of turning, stacking and gathering turf for fuel is still an important part of life in this country. The work is hard, and in many ways the methods have not changed throughout the years. Turf cutting is also an important economic activity for many people, particularly in rural communities. However, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the Irish Government is determined to eradicate private turf extraction altogether. Far from serving their electorate, government policies are apparently optimised in the interests of Bord na Mona and the Fossil Energy Majors.