Sir, – On Tuesday the Government will publish an adaptation strategy that sets out what measures it will take to respond to the impacts of climate change in Ireland.
We welcome this as an important step. However, the failure, once again, of governments at the recent UN climate change conference in Doha to increase efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions raises a crucial question of the Government.
Will the adaptation strategy prepare us for a rise in average surface temperatures of 2 degrees, which is the EU’s stated goal, or to the 3-4 degree rise that current levels of Government (in)action are set to bring us? This is an important question given the serious nature of the impacts. Leading scientists all indicate that 2 degrees of global warming will lead to a decline in global crop production and leave millions at risk of displacement due to sea level rises. A further rise of 3 degrees or more would call into question the ability of society to survive at all.
All countries, from the richest to the poorest, will have to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Developing countries, which have contributed least to the problem of global warming, are already bearing the brunt of these impacts.
In Malawi, where 40 per cent of the population live on less than $2 a day and more than 80 per cent are dependent on agriculture, communities are already experiencing increasingly erratic rainfall and higher incidence of drought. About two million people in Malawi are in need of food aid due to prolonged dry periods.
In this context, Ireland has a duty to ensure it is doing its fair share to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Publication of the adaptation strategy is a welcome step forward. However, it would be remiss of the Government if a strong domestic climate law with binding targets for reducing Irish emissions does not follow suit.
Ireland must become part of a global response from governments and citizens that increases action at all levels and generates new thinking and finance to help poor countries cope with the impacts of climate change. – Yours, etc,