Cork one of cities worst-hit if globe heats up

Cork, Waterford, and Dublin will be among the worst-hit cities when Europe endures more heatwaves, deepening drought, and frequent river floods later this century, if global temperatures continue to rise.

Global temperatures are already 1 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and are projected to rise to 3 degrees or more this century, unless emissions are rapidly curbed, according to the United Nations.

If that occurs, central European cities will experience the greatest increase in temperature during heatwaves — of between 2 degrees and 14 degrees Celsius, depending on the rise in global temperatures — researchers from Britain’s Newcastle University said.