Could Climate Change Brown the Emerald Isle?

By: TheGreenMiles
Published On: 3/17/2008 11:50:07 AM

On St. Patrick's Day, the Pew Environment Group is releasing a report warning global warming could have devastating impacts on Ireland:
The report by the Irish Climate Project finds that the average tem­peratures in Ireland increased by 0.72ºC (1.3ºF) during the last century, with a much greater increase since 1980 that is higher and faster than the global average. Using detailed climate models, the report projects temperature increases for Ireland that will exceed 2ºC (3.6ºF) in all seasons by the end of this century.

“Despite the fact that Ireland is renowned for its steady rains, it is deeply ironic that we may face significant seasonal water shortages as a consequence of climate change,” said Dr. Rowan Fealy, one of the report’s authors.

The report spotlights the signifi­cant and highly visible changes climate change could bring to the Irish land­scape, including how:
• the potato could cease to be a commercially viable crop;
• perennially green landscapes could brown as grasses dry;
• slight increases in summer heat could lead mountain bogs to be torn from bedrock more frequently, leaving scenes that evoke a California mudslide; and
• Ireland’s famed inland fisheries could decline.

Just another reminder that global warming isn't just about melting glaciers. No matter where you live, your backyard will feel the impacts.  



Comments



Good witty report (dominionsboy - 3/17/2008 5:40:13 PM)
Saw some great stories on this. But buried in the cute media angle are some really concerning stats... but will it be enough.  One study says the glaciers are melting at an unprecedented speed, another study shows that sea level rise is gonna to totally screw with our transportation system.   What will it take to motivate us to action?  We're like the frog in the boiling water, except we don't have an excuse.


Europeans' Views on Climate Change (South County - 3/17/2008 8:42:04 PM)
I spend about a month per year in Europe, and they are very concerned with global warming over there.  It seems like every time I turn on the news on European TV they are running stories about climate change and the environment.