Growing season warmer and longer

THE growing season has increased by four weeks for some species in the south west,over the past 30 years.

This finding by Trinity College Dublin, from gardens where annual indicators such as time of leaf-budding are recorded, is a consequences of climate change.

Met Eireann records show that over the past 50 years, mean temperatures increased by about three-quarters of a degree, according to Ray McGrath of the Community Climate Change Consortium for Ireland, C4I, a regional climate modelling initiative run out of Met Eireann in collaboration with UCD.

Climate change is now accepted as a fact, he told the Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Local Government.

He said there is also evidence of heavy precipitation events increasing, but mean wind strengths have decreased slightly over the past 50 years.

“Climate change, if it continues unchecked, will have a large downside”, said Mr McGrath.

Rainfall patterns will change, summers are likely to be drier — as much as 20% less rain for some areas — and winter precipitation will increase, particularly in the west and north west.

“For example, the farming of potatoes in the east and south east may require irrigation in a drier environment. The results will have implications in the planning of future forestry plantations” said Mr McGrath.

Climate change will increase the frequency of severe weather such as heavy rain and storms. Greater winter precipitation will increase the risk of flooding. In coastal areas, flooding by sea-surges — local increases in sea level due to low pressure weather systems and strong winds — may be worse.

The Gulf Stream is not expected to shut down. But we cannot rule out a major weakening of the system, which would have a significant impact on Ireland, as it brings us warmer weather in the winter months, and on the fishing industry, said Mr McGrath.