Irish Examiner view: Averting climate collapse is an increasingly pressing imperative

As the Pacific Northwest of the US endures an unprecedented and dangerous heatwave authorities in southern Italy have banned outdoor farm work during the hottest hours of the day

Seattle pushed into uncharted — and unwelcome — territory with historic highs: The hottest day of an unprecedented and dangerous heat wave scorched the Pacific Northwest in the US on Monday with temperatures obliterating records that had been set just the day before. Picture: Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP

The assessment published yesterday by consultants Baringa and Wind Energy Ireland that carbon emissions from Ireland’s electricity sector can be cut by 80% by the end of this decade is a more-than-welcome indication of what is possible if the social and political will exists to deliver on that increasingly pressing imperative.

Unfortunately, the relentless and increasingly gloomy predictions around climate change can be counterproductive.