Climate Change

Climate change is a growing problem

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Climate change has many far reaching consequences for the planet. There are multiple factors coming together contributing to climate change and the increases in global temperatures. The largest of which is the emission of co2 gases from various sources such as factories, cars and vehicles, agriculture and electricity production.

This map below provides a visual way of showing how much carbon dioxide emissions in either (metric tons per capita) or (total emissions in kilotons) has been produced by each country per year for many years leading up to 2014.

There is a clear correlation

Using data from the past 50 years. A clear correlation can be seen between the increase in global greenhouse gas emissions globally and an increase in average global temperature, which will only be amplified into the future as populations grow if action is not taken to put a stop to it.

What are the impacts?

Temperature Trends

The clearest trend is evident in the temperature records which show a mean temperature increase of 0.7°C between 1890 and 2008. The increase was 0.4°C during the period 1980-2008.

Other Indicators

Six of the ten warmest years in Ireland have occurred since 1990
A reduction in the number of frost days and shortening of frost season length
An increase in annual rainfall in northern and western areas with decreases or small increases in the south and east.
These changes are reflected in Ireland’s natural environment with an increase in the growing season and with greater number of animals suited to warmer temperatures being evident in Ireland and its surrounding waters.

Ocean Acidification

In more recent years, another significant issue has emerged. Ocean Acidification will have harmful effects on marine organisms and has the potential to disrupt global marine ecosystems. For more information see the Marine Institute's report External linkOcean Acidification: An Emerging Threat to our Marine Environment.

Future Adverse Impacts

Climate change impacts are projected to increase in the coming decades and during the rest of this century. Uncertainties remain in relation to the scale and extent of these impacts, particularly during the second half of the century. The greatest uncertainly lies in how effective global actions will be in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Predicted adverse impacts include:

sea level rise
more intense storms and rainfall events,
increased likelihood and magnitude of river and coastal flooding and water shortages in summer in the east
adverse impacts on water quality
changes in distribution of plant and animal species
effects on fisheries sensitive to changes in temperature

There are Ways You Can Help

Green Your commute

One 2017 study ranked 148 individual actions on climate change according to their impact.
Going car-free was the number-one most effective action an individual could take.
Cars are more polluting compared to other means of transportation like walking, biking or using public transport.

Use energy wisely — and save money too!

Consider making some or all of these small changes. Together, they can really add up.

Change to energy-efficient light bulbs
Install a heat pump in your home.
Wash clothes in cold or warm water (not hot)
Hang-dry your clothes when you can.
Install a programmable thermostat.
Look for the Energy Rating when buying new appliances.

Eat for a climate-stable planet

After fossil fuels, the food industry – and in particular the meat and dairy sector – is one of the most important contributors to climate change.
You don’t have to go vegetarian or vegan to make a difference: cut down gradually and become a ‘flexitarian’.
By reducing your consumption of animal protein by half, you can cut your diet's carbon footprint by more than 40%.

Unite for Bold Climate Action

Although it’s important to take action to reduce our individual carbon footprints, changing the larger system is where we have the greatest opportunity to reduce emissions.
Vote for leaders at all levels of government who take climate change seriously.
They should commit to setting science-based targets to reduce harmful carbon emissions, implementing clear plans to reach those targets, adapting to climate change and shifting to a clean-energy economy.

Co2 Emissions