Ireland can expect to experience more extreme weather events like Storm Éowyn if we fail to achieve our climate action targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate, said:
“As we once again count the cost of another major storm, the harsh reality is that Ireland is not immune to the catastrophic effects of global warming.
“All the international evidence shows that climate change is happening in real time, with devastating consequences.
“We recently learned from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service that 2024 was the first full year in which global temperatures exceeded 1.5C above pre-industrial times. In fact, last year was the hottest since records began.
“President Trump’s decision to once again pull the US out of the 2015 Paris Agreement has dealt another hammer blow to international efforts to bring down carbon emissions.
“Despite this setback, Ireland needs to remain resolute in our commitment to this agreement and to our legally binding carbon reduction targets if we want to avoid more extreme weather events in the future, and billions in EU fines.
“Unfortunately, the Programme for Government does not inspire confidence that this will be the case. The section dealing with climate action is vague and non-committal, with no detail on how targets will be met.
“Another ominous sign is that the new government will be reliant on the support of a number of climate-sceptic Independent TDs.
“However, last night’s storm should serve as a salutary reminder of the consequences of not doing enough.
“The new Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O’Brien, must ensure there is no backsliding on our climate action ambitions.”
January 24, 2025