Climate agenda - Tackling global warming

Playing our part in tackling climate change does not appear to be high on the Government’s agenda, but it should be because global warming represents the most existential threat of all to the future of mankind.

Last April, Ireland was one of 170 countries to sign up to the Paris Agreement, the world’s response to climate change which was reached in December as a major breakthrough in UN climate negotiations.

The next step is putting promises into practice. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is due to meet in Geneva this month to outline how the Paris deal, which slashed the limit from 2C to 1.5C, will be implemented.

But already the deal looks to be in trouble. Climate change scientists have warned it may be nearly impossible to keep global warming below the 1.5C target after temperatures peaked at 1.38C above pre-industrial levels in February.

We in Ireland have our part to play. An action plan needs to be put in place in order to cut emissions from transport, agriculture, and industry. A tall order, but an essential one.