South set to avoid worst of weather

THE southern half of the country looks likely to escape the severe arctic conditions weather forecasters are expecting to arrive in the next couple of days.

Met Éireann has issued a severe weather warning predicting heavy snowfalls in the north-west of the country between midday today and midnight tomorrow.

Blizzard conditions and snowdrifts are likely in counties Donegal, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Cavan.

Strong to gale force northerly winds will also occur, giving blizzard conditions at times and causing some snowdrifts.

Meanwhile, paintbrush in hand, Environment Minister Dick Roche yesterday helped pave the way for action on climate change.

“I did two years in art college,” he revealed before putting the finishing touches to decorated paving stones that hammer home the global message.

For months, young people from the country’s youth organisations have been painting images and messages to mark One World Week (November 19-27).

One World Week is a week of youth-led awareness raising, education and action during which young people learn about local and global justice issues and take action to bring about change.

The theme for 2005 is Making a Difference: Young People Participating to Change their World.

Yesterday’s event was organised by the National Youth Council of Ireland and Friends of the Earth and held at the ENFO offices in Dublin’s Andrew Street.

Mr Roche was invited to take some of the painted stones to the upcoming US summit on climate change in Montreal, Canada.

“Getting youngsters involved in a visual way in the whole area of environmental issues is absolutely ideal,” said the minister.

On cue, Mr Roche was down on his knees and showing the artistic touch.

“The consequences of climate change, if it’s to continue, are really disastrous,” he told the young people.

“And the really tragic part is that they’re going to hurt people in the least developed countries worst.

“We’re talking about desertification in Africa. Plagues, famines, will be even a greater feature in parts of Africa because of the changes.

“And the tragedy is that the changes that have occurred have been driven by the developed world.”