Ireland is famous for its picturesque green landscapes. However, climatologists think that our beautiful landscape may be under serious threat if the world continues to be profligate in its carbon emissions.
According to the recently released Changing Shades of Green report (1.8mb pdf)
Ireland’s rich, green scenery may fade to brown, its potato crop may again whither, and the island’s classic soft rains may turn harsh if climate change continues unabated. Heavy rains in some parts of the island could lead to serious erosion. And bog bursts – when masses of peat slide down slopes like a California mudslide – are expected to be more common.
The report was put together by The Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units (ICARUS) - the leading centre for climate change research in Ireland and was funded by the Bipartisan Policy Center, the Henry P. Kendall Foundation and the Rockefeller Family Fund.
The report is not downbeat in tone and suggests
Those who wish to keep Ireland green have a role to play, and it starts with making our own green choices – at home, at work, in our communities and when we vote.
CO2 doesn’t recognise national boundaries.
A new site at irishclimate.org has been setup to highlight this and to publicise the report.
