Climate crisis is unfolding all around us
Some people have suggested that some are scaremongering regarding the extreme weather affecting large parts of Europe.
From huge hailstones the size of a fist in Switzerland and Italy to raging wildfires in Greece, things are not looking good.
This week there were reports from Scily where large parts of the city of Catania, a similar size to Cork was more than 48 hours without water or power.
Why? Because the cables laid under the roads melted in the 46C heat.
The capital of Scily, Palermo has been encircled by wildfires. The streets are on fire and residents are complaining that they aren’t getting any help.
A water temperature of 101° was recorded on Monday in Florida from a sensor. If confirmed and verified, 101° would be the hottest water temperature ever recorded on earth.
The Gulf Stream has been crucial is giving us mild, relatively benign winters, but that may change sooner than we realised. Now reports this week say the Gulf Stream system could collapse as soon as 2025. This would bring catastrophic climate impacts if it were to happen, not least for Ireland.
If global carbon emissions are not reduced, this new analysis estimates a timescale for the collapse of between 2025 and 2095, with a central estimate of 2050.
So what has the Republic of Ireland been doing recently to fight carbon emissions? This week the latest the Climate Change Advisory Council published its annual review for 2023.
It found that Ireland will not meet its carbon budget targets for 2021 to 2025 or for 2026 to 2030, unless drastic action is taken.
It said that the targets set in April last year will be missed unless emissions begin to fall much more rapidly.
The council said that the pace of implementation of agreed policy by the Government “was not acceptable given the existential threat and impact of climate change on society”.
In a different sphere, it’s really great to see Joy in the Park grow and get even better in its second year. The Cork Independent is very proud to be print media partners.
It’s very much a passion project for the founder and organiser Linda Plover and despite a mixed forecast, it was impressive that the estimated number of attendants rose to 12,000 this year.
I was there early in the morning as things were being set up, and it was busy and looked like it was going to be bigger and better than last year.
Despite some heavy rainfall, it was another huge success, mixing great live music, with storytelling, workshops, circus as well as a huge focus on mental health and wellbeing.
Well done to all involved and roll on next year!