'We are at a critical time' if we want to save Ireland's natural world, says expert

The threat to Ireland's flora and fauna from climate change 'is very real' and we can no longer afford to pass the problem to future generations, top ecologist says

Atlantic puffins on the Skelligs: The British Trust for Ornithology predicts 90% of puffins will be lost to Ireland and the UK by 2050. Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan

There are a lot of uncertainties about how climate change will impact on Ireland’s flora and fauna, but according to an expert, the threat to their status quo “is very real”. 

Ecologist John Barimo, manager of Sustainable Development Solutions Network Ireland, said there was a complex web of processes that shape order and maintain natural ecosystems then we actually know about.