Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for immediate Government action following the publication of data by Met Éireann which shows that Ireland’s weather in 2020 indicates further evidence of climate change.
Met Éireann has revealed that:
- 2020 was a record-breaking year in Ireland for February rainfall and dry spring.
- Extreme weather patterns experienced in Ireland in 2020 are likely to become more common in the future.
- The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) statement on global climate says 2020 is on course to be one of the three warmest years on record worldwide.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the Social Democrats spokesperson on Climate Action and Biodiversity, commented:
“Ireland’s meteorological data for 2020 also provides further evidence of a warming Ireland. This year is on course to be the joint ninth warmest year on record in Ireland.
“Met Éireann have confirmed that as records continue to be broken globally, so too are records being broken in Ireland. The science is complex but their message is simple – to reduce the extremes we must reduce the warming.
“I am gravely concerned at this further evidence of climate change. The Government needs to respond to the climate and biodiversity crisis by incorporating stronger and more ambitious targets in the new Climate Action Bill. This is something I am pushing for at the committee pre-legislative scrutiny stage of the Bill.
“The Government also needs to radically increase funding for environmental organisations so they can monitor, protect, preserve and report on the impact climate change is having in Ireland on our environment and biodiversity. Funding levels are shockingly low, yet environmental oganisations like Birdwatch Ireland do incredible work with so little – just imagine what they could do with more?
“This evidence presented by Met Éireann is also a signal that, globally, we must move in the right direction now rather than later.”
December 2, 2020