Report reveals impacts of climate change in Ireland
Climate change is already having an impact on Ireland and these impacts are set to get stronger over the coming decades, according to a new report which was launched by the country's Environment Minister, John Gormley, on 29 August. The report, 'Key Meteorological Indicators of Climate Change in Ireland', was prepared for the country's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by researchers at the National University of Ireland at Maynooth. It reveals that Ireland's mean annual temperature increased by 0.7°C between 1890 and 2004, and that the rate of warming has increased considerably since 1980. Furthermore, the number of frost days has fallen and the frost season has got shorter. Regarding precipitation, the west, southwest and north of the country are wetter, with more frequent rainfall and also more intense rainfall. 'The report is further confirmation that the impacts of climate change are already happening in Ireland and are accelerating,' commented Mr Gormley. 'The report shows us the absolute need for the people of Ireland to play their part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change.' 'The analysis in this report shows that Ireland is now experiencing the effects of climate change,' added Dr Mary Kelly, Director General of the EPA. 'These changes will increase over the coming 10 to 20 years regardless of current actions under the Kyoto Protocol or future post Kyoto actions. 'It is therefore necessary to consider and develop actions which will allow us to adapt to future climate conditions in order to avoid adverse impacts. Adaptation is now part of the EU and national agenda on climate change.' Minister Gormley confirmed that the Irish government was planning to put in place a national strategy on adaptation. 'This will provide the framework for integrating the predicted impacts of climate change into decision making at national and local level,' he explained. 'It is important that we put in place this framework as soon as possible, so that, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, planning, water services and coastal management, we do not end up making the wrong types of expensive investments in the wrong places.' The minister also reiterated Ireland's support for the EU goal of limiting average global temperature increases to no more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels. 'Ireland has fully and consistently supported this EU objective,' he said. 'We are on course to meet our commitments under the Kyoto Protocol and we fully support the EU position on further ambitious reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the period to 2020 and beyond.' According to the minister, over the coming months the government is set to introduce a number of initiatives to reduce Ireland's emissions. These include proposals for rebalancing vehicle registration tax and motor tax, the establishment of a climate change commission, and ambitious new energy efficiency targets for new homes. Earlier this year the minister also announced plans for a major public awareness campaign on climate change.
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