Irish farmers prepare for long-term impacts of climate change

There were €3.5bn in losses and 68 fatalities in Ireland as a result of extreme weather and climate-related events, from 1980 to 2022, according to the European Environment Agency.

As waterlogged farmers wonder if the weather will ever dry up, official figures confirm that 2011 to 2020 has been the wettest decade on record in Ireland.

Comparisons of 30-year periods show 1991 to 2020 was 7% wetter than 1961 to 1990.

It's of little consolation to farmers that the increased winter rainfall was accompanied by decreased summer rainfall.

Meanwhile, Irish surface air temperatures were 0.7°C higher from 1991 to 2020 than from 1961 to 1990.

Sea levels around the coast of Ireland increased by 2-3 mm per year since the 1990s, and the average sea temperature rose by 0.47°C over the last 10 years. Ocean acidity has also increased.

How dangerous for farmers is the changing climate?

The answers are in the new National Adaptation Framework published by the Government.

It says projected temperature increases may increase vector-borne diseases affecting livestock, such as the Bluetongue virus, could impact disease lifecycles, and bring new diseases.

More frequent heatwaves may lead to heat stress (for both animals and farmers).

Less summer rain and more droughts will cause water stress for livestock. Cracked soils may stunt crop growth, limit chemical fertiliser application, and reduce efficiency, also posing a risk of exposing groundwater to pesticides.

But more extreme precipitation events may lead to decreased soil trafficability, compaction, erosion, and nutrient and pesticide runoff.

Farms and dwellings could face infrastructural damage, and access and transportation may become challenging if storms intensify as projected.

Higher temperatures may speed up forest growth, potentially damaging wood quality in some species like Sitka Spruce. Heat may also bring new pests or diseases, to trees already under stress from drought. The same combination may raise the risk of forest fires.

More storms may cause more windthrow, particularly in forests on exposed, windy sites with poor drainage.

But the weather forecast isn't all bad. Along with increased forest growth, the changing climate may enable planting of less cold-sensitive tree species.

And in agriculture, a longer growing season might boost grass yields and enable earlier crop harvests, perhaps of new, more suitable varieties.

Less spring frost will reduce damage to spring crops, improve conditions for horticulture, and reduce cold stress in livestock.

Deaths

There were €3.5bn in losses and 68 fatalities in Ireland as a result of extreme weather and climate-related events, from 1980 to 2022, according to the European Environment Agency. That underlines the government's message that a well-established adaptation framework is crucial for responding to climate change, alongside mitigation measures to reverse it.

According to the new National Adaptation Framework report, the agriculture, forestry and seafood sectors have made good progress in mainstreaming adaptation into new policies, planning and financing frameworks. However, further outreach and engagement are needed.

The report welcomes initiatives such as the CAP Strategic Plan (2023-2027) funding for adaptation measures, and the significant research funding from the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine.

The report highlights cross-collaborative efforts in agriculture. For example, incentivisation of hedgerow and tree planting through agricultural policy not only provides shade and shelter to livestock; it also sequesters carbon, and improves the water-holding capacity of soils, thus reducing flood events.

Agri-initiatives can harness the power of nature to address climate challenges. For instance, agroforestry helps mitigate soil erosion, enhance water retention, and provides windbreaks.

Bog restoration also alleviates flood problems, as well as stemming emissions and maintaining biodiversity.

CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB