Effects Of Climate Change In Ireland Revealed By Report

A forthcoming report by the Irish meteorological department has revealed what we can expect from the effects of climate change.

The study, due to be published on Tuesday, warns of rising sea levels and a huge impact on the south and east of the country in the coming decades.

Reports say the assessment by the Community Climate Change Consortium for Ireland warns temperatures in the south and east will rise by up to four degrees by the end of the current century and the warmer climate will be most obvious in the summer and autumn.

The report also says there may be a major difference to Ireland's coast line. It says: “At current rates of change, mean sea levels in Dublin, Sligo Bay and Slea Head will be 25, 44 and 40 cm respectively, above present day levels by the end of the century”, although it adds: “these figures probably do not reflect the full impact from melting ice sheets.”

This half meter rise in sea level could submerge huge swathes of Ireland's coast line.

Winter rainfall could also increase by up to 15%, while summer rainfall could decline by up to 20%. Such changes would have major consequences for agriculture and domestic water supply.

(DW/KMcA)