Batten down the hatches: We're not yet taking the climate change threat seriously

Weather events across the world this summer have led climate scientists to believe that the impacts of climate change are more severe and arriving faster than climate models predicted. To feel alarmed by this is an entirely appropriate response, but we and our leaders must bring about transformative change

Flooding in Cork city in 2020. All types of flooding — from the sea, river and rain — will become more frequent and severe. File picture: Andy Gibson

The climate has changed. The devastating weather across Europe this summer, and indeed across the world, is a glimpse of the catastrophic floods, storms and droughts likely to hit Cork's shores in the not-too-distant future.

Two reports published on Tuesday described the knowledge base for Cork city's exposure to climate change risks, and baseline greenhouse gas emissions.