What the

Climate Crisis means

We face an impending climate disaster and are running out of time to prevent it. Runaway climate change has already begun, and our oceans can only regulate the climate so much.

What is the Climate Crisis?

Ocean warming, ocean acidification and rising sea levels threaten to disrupt the largest, most important ecosystem on Earth.

Unfortunately, human-caused climate change has already begun and it is rapidly affecting our Earth. We are already experiencing more heatwaves, droughts, and floods caused by climate change, affecting billions of people and causing potentially irreversible damage to ecosystems. The extreme weather events, damage caused and increasing speed of climate change is now known as the Climate Crisis, and it has 4 main effects on our oceans.

Ocean Warming

The oceans are absorbing much of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases, resulting in ocean warming. This warming has many consequences, including altered ocean currents, changes in weather patterns, and coral bleaching events that harm marine life.

Ocean Acidification

As the oceans absorb more greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide, they become more acidic. Increased acidity of the ocean makes it increasingly difficult for marine organisms to build their shells and skeletons. This can have serious consequences for the food chain, including the collapse of entire ecosystems such as coral reefs.

Sea Level Rise

As global temperatures rise, the glaciers and ice sheets are melting and an increasingly fast rate. This causes more liquid water to enter the oceans, resulting in sea levels rising. This rise threatens coastal communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems, leading to flooding, erosion, destruction of seashore commodities (like beaches) and loss of habitats.

Changes in Marine Ecosystems

Climate change is causing shifts in the distribution and behavior of different marine species, leading to changes in food webs and other ecological systems. For example, some species may migrate to cooler waters, while others may face reduced food availability or increased competition. These changes can have catastrophic impacts on the different ecosystems that marine organisms and Humans depend on.

To stop this from getting worse, we need to significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses we release into the air.

We must immediately reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are being released into the atmosphere, specifically those that trap heat more heat such as methane. Methane is 80 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.

We need to to limit the increase in global temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as agreed in the Paris Agreement. This means we need to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

How is Ireland's Climate Changing?

As a result of the Climate Crisis, Ireland's climate has undergone several changes in recent decades, many of which have negatively impacted our biodiversity. These changes have also had negative effects on our economy, health and wellbeing.

Warmer Temperatures

Ireland has experienced a general warming trend over the past few decades, with average temperatures increasing by around 0.7°C since the beginning of the 20th century. This has led to changes in weather patterns, such as more frequent heatwaves and less severe winters.

Extreme Weather Events

Climate change has led to more extreme weather events in Ireland, including more frequent and intense storms, floods, and droughts. These events can have significant impacts on infrastructure, agriculture, the economy and the natural environment.

Rising Sea Levels

As global temperatures rise, the polar ice caps are melting, causing sea levels to rise with them. This has led to increased flooding and coastal erosion in Ireland. This places coastal villages, cities, land and amenities at risk of destruction by the incoming water.

Changing Rain Patterns

Ireland is also experiencing changes in precipitation (rain) patterns, with more winter rainfall and fewer summer showers. In conjunction with poor water infrastructure, this can lead to severe droughts and can have implications for agriculture, water management, and biodiversity.

Changing Ecosystems

Seagrass meadows are a vital habitat for many of Ireland's marine species, especially juvenile fish, and can absorb CO2 from the water. However, due to climate change and increased pollution, seagrass meadows have declined by up to 90% in certain areas over the last century.

Invasive Species

Invasive species are non-native species that have been introduced into an ecosystem and can have negative impacts on native species and habitats. In Ireland, climate change and increasing ocean temperatures has made it easier for invasive species to invade, pushing out our native inhabitants.