Ireland’s ‘luck will run out’ on extreme weather events

Scientists have repeatedly warned that warming of 1.5C – the limit set in the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement – risks unleashing far more severe climate change impacts, with every fraction of a degree mattering in this context.

Met Éireann has said last month was the hottest May ever recorded, though it added it is too early to tell if 2024 will be another record warm year in Ireland. 

Globally, the planet is continuing to break temperature records, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

Professor Peter Thorne, from the ICARUS Climate Research Centre in Maynooth University, said: “If you play at the roulette table, you can be lucky for a streak, but your luck eventually runs out.

“Ask the poor people in southern Germany dealing with epic floods. Ask the people in Mexico and parts of Africa sweltering with record breaking temperatures. You realise it’s pot luck as to whether we’re the ones suffering or not.

Look at Midleton last October and the very wet winter we’ve had. Both made more severe by human influences of climate change.

“We can expect to see even more heatwaves, floods, droughts. If you want to know what the future of climate change looks like, look at what current change looks like and add steroids to it.” 

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan said the latest reports are “yet more evidence across the world of the climate change that has come”.

“We are in deeply fearful, uncertain, uncharted waters that we have to prepare for,” Mr Ryan said.

He said Ireland needs to work to avoid the worst consequences of climate change, with reductions in emissions alongside adaptation measures.