The environment - Save money by saving the world

THE Royal Irish Academy’s Committee on Climate Change has added its voice to the growing number of organisations predicting more extreme weather, more floods, more landslides, more rain and the extinction of 20% of native Irish plant species.

If that was not enough the academy also predicts that 40% of Irish peatlands could be lost by 2075.

Earlier this week, we were warned that an outbreak of the bluetongue virus that affects cattle and sheep may occur if temperatures continue to rise.

Ray McGrath, head of research at Met Éireann, said the virus is transmitted by midges and is associated with the Mediterranean but has been moving northwards.

Mr McGrath, speaking at Trinity College Dublin, warned that despite a particularly wet summer, autumns and winters could experience increases of between 15% and 25% in rainfall by the end of the century. Conversely, summers could be up to 18% drier.

There will also be an increase in the frequency of very intense cyclones affecting Ireland, with an increase in sea surges during storms.

The academy’s report is another indication that we are not doing enough. So, as you reach to turn on the heating consider putting on another layer of clothes. Save money and save the world.