Conclusion Based on your research, how do you think current and future energy needs on Earth can be met? Present your views in one of the following ways: An essay A poster
A slide show presentation A video clip
41.5 Energy needs in Ireland The pie chart in Fig. 18 illustrates the amount of energy used in Ireland for electricity generation, heating and transport.
Electricity 20%
Heating 40% Transport 40%
Fig. 18 The total energy needs in Ireland.
In Ireland we generate most of our energy from non-renewable fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels causes pollution and releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. As we explored in Chapter 40 there is a lot of evidence to support the claim that increased carbon emissions play a major role in global warming and climate change. Ireland has set a target to reduce the amount of fossil fuels we burn and increase the amount
of renewable energy we use by 2020. This will help us to reduce carbon emissions and play our part in combating climate change. The following charts in Figs. 19 - 24 show how energy needs were met in Ireland in 2013 and the targets for meeting energy needs by 2020.
1. Electricity Renewable 21%
Renewable 40%
Non-
Non-renewable 79%
Fig. 19 How Ireland’s electricity needs were met in 2013.
renewable 60%
Fig. 20 Target for meeting Ireland’s electricity needs by 2020.
