The future won’t be all sunshine

FUTURE generations of Irish people may not have to go abroad for the sun, if predictions about climate changes in the 21st century are correct.

We’re told warmer, drier summers will increase the appeal of many Irish coastal resorts and of water-based and outdoor activities. Could we see a return to the days when miles of golden beaches washed by those white-fringed Atlantic breakers, like you’d see in the John Hinde postcards, will again be on the covers of Tourism Ireland brochures? Yes, but it won’t be all sunshine and some of our beaches, as well as archaeological gems along our coasts, could be undermined, or might even vanish, as the climate changes.

There’s also a warning from the Heritage Council of a serious impact on tourism-related activities, all of which calls for policy changes and action before it is too late. As the weather changes, sea levels will rise – by as much as a metre – and there will be stronger and more frequent storms.

The decline of Irish seaside resorts, arising from our unpredictable weather and the growing popularity of Spain and even more exotic sun destinations, has been a feature of the tourism industry in recent decades.

But, many popular beaches may be eroded, or even disappear beneath the water, before the end of the present century. This trend could be seen at its worst in places such as Courtown, Co Wicklow, where coastal defence measures have previously been taken.

The sea has already broken through fragile sand dunes at Rossbeigh beach in Co Kerry, where a new island has been created at the tip of dune peninsula. Now that the dunes protection has been removed, other parts of the coast in the area, famous for its natural oyster fishery, are in danger.

Dunes around the country are already under threat from recreational pursuits, including quadbike racing and camping, which speed up natural erosion.

We’re rightly proud of our spacious and relatively uncrowded beaches in Ireland. However, should some of these beaches disappear in the face of the elements, remaining beaches could become crowded and, obviously, less attractive.

Powerful winds will help increase wave energy and there will be coastal flooding. When these elements combine, we can expect more coastal erosion, putting low-lying areas and soft coastline at risk.

There will also be more river flooding, following extreme rainfall. That, for instance, could leave one of our greatest national monuments, the ruins of the monastic settlement at Clonmacnoise, vulnerable to flooding, or submersion, by the Shannon.

Castles, Martello towers, harbours and promontory forts that have been landmarks for centuries will be endangered by erosion, or immersion. More intense water and air pollution may speed up decay the historic structures, including archaeological sites.

In the latest issue of Heritage Outlook, the council’s head of policy and research, Beatrice Kelly, refers to effects of climate changes on waterways in relation to river flow, water supply, rainfall, flooding and rises in sea levels.

Tourism activities on inland waterways will be affected by higher freshwater temperatures, and pollution, as well as a build up of flotsam and bank erosion.

“Traditional angling will change as some fish species find it harder to spawn, or to live with higher water temperatures, for example, salmon and trout. Others may spawn earlier and new species may be introduced,” she writes.

“Poor water quality will have a negative effect on fish populations, as well as rendering activities such as swimming, kayaking and sailing less attractive.”

Warmer weather will surely making golfing more attractive, but some of our most famous links course, including Ballybunion, Waterville, Royal Dublin, Portmarnock and Rosslare could be faced with even more tougher battle against the elements.

Such links have, for years, been using rock armoury and crates of stones to protect some of the most renowned golf holes in the world from the sea, but hard protection may not work in the future.

It’s likewise with coastal paths which are already erosion-prone and their maintenance costs are very high for that reason. Future walkways must be planned to avoid areas likely to fall victim to the sea.

Nature tourism could also be affected. On a positive note, we’re likely to see more whales and dolphins because of warmer water temperatures, but cliff-breeding seabirds, such as razorbills, puffins and guillemots, could drop in number as their food sources decline. The message from the Heritage Council is to get ready for climate change and plan accordingly.

* The climate change report is available on the council’s website.www.heritagecouncil.ie