Sir, – The article by Rory O’Donnell (Opinion, March 1st) defending the recent report on climate change by the secretariat of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) makes the common mistake of most economists, in failing to state the assumptions made before documenting rational arguments and drawing reasoned conclusions.
In this case, the key assumption is that Ireland and the world can, should, and shall have economic growth between now and 2050. Having made this assumption, as the article correctly notes, there are no technical solutions which will suitably reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
However, given the seriousness of the issue, and the scale of change implied by year-on-year reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for 40 years, surely the assumptions must be open to discussion?
Last year Ireland's Sustainable Development Council (Comhar) was folded into NESC. But, critically, has this merger led NESC to become familiar with recent work in this area? A key report by the UK's Sustainable Development Commission in 2009, Prosperity without Growth? – The transition to a sustainable economy , shows that growing the economy for the next 40 years while shrinking emissions is not just impossible technically, but it is also theoretically impossible when analysed economically.
Having questioned the basic assumptions, Prosperity without G rowth shows that emissions reductions are possible if we have the courage to question and change the economic assumptions. – Yours, etc,
JAMES NIX,
Director,
An Taisce, The Tailors' Hall,
Christchurch, Dublin 8.