INTRODUCTION

CLIMATE CHANGE: IMPACT AND ACTION

In the latest assessment report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that it is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, land and ocean since pre-industrial times. As a result of climate change, extreme weather and climate events are increasing in frequency and severity across the globe, impacting upon people, businesses and the environment incurring huge costs to the economy and society.

The impact of Earth’s changing climate is becoming more evident, with accelerated melting of ice caps and retreat of glaciers, rising sea levels and extensive changes in global and regional weather patterns.

Ireland’s climate is also changing in line with global trends. On a national basis, annual average temperature has increased by 0.9°C since 1900, which has been accompanied by an increase in the number of warm spells. Patterns of precipitation across Ireland are also changing, with evidence of an increasing amounts of winter and autumn rainfall and increasing sea levels1. Climate change projections for Ireland indicate that these changes will continue and intensify into the future. The impacts of these changes will be felt across Ireland’s communities and environment, incurring huge costs to our economy and society.

To reduce the impact of climate change we need take mitigation and adaptation climate actions (Figure 2). Some climate actions will contribute to both mitigation and adaptation, such as planting and maintaining of trees, which can contribute to removal of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (mitigation) while also acting as shading which can serve to reduce temperatures during heatwave events (adaptation).

Clare County Council has, for some time, been actively implementing a range of actions across various functions and services to tackle climate change, this is in addition to the climate actions led by local communities and businesses throughout the county. The development of the LACAP will ensure a coordinated local response to climate change and bring together critical stakeholders across local government, communities, and businesses to build a vision for a climate neutral and resilient future.