IT MIGHT SEEM strange discussing extreme heat while the country is in the grip of torrential downpours, but this summer’s drought across Europe has left the continent reeling. In Ireland, we have seen wildfires, fodder shortages, stressed animals and impacted yields for vegetable growers.

Other countries saw horrendous forest fires, power restrictions and transport disruption from low river levels. Even with welcome rain in the last week, the effects will be long-lasting.

The last major drought was in 2018, while 2020 saw a ‘prolonged dry period’ (in the words of Met Éireann). The next is surely not far off given the rapidly deteriorating climate situation.

Even the hardest climate-deniers would now be hard-pressed not to accept that we have reached a tipping point, with climate scientists saying that we are closer to a “point of no return”. And if we don’t truly prepare for what’s coming, we’ll be on the back foot long-term.

It’s almost easy for a government to respond to say, flooding and mass power outages, in the wake of a storm like Éowyn early this year, then turn the page and hope that the summer brings reprieve.

Equally, in record high temperatures such as this summer, which bring drought conditions, moving swiftly into winter can turn public attention away from those challenges.  

But this approach to the extremes of climate change is no longer workable. It’s time we thought of the future and planned accordingly. It’s not too late if we move now.

So, as a country, what are the top 10 things that we should be doing to prepare?

1. Reach those targets

Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

The most important thing is to meet our climate commitments. Most countries, like Ireland, see themselves as small and insignificant in the larger picture, but collectively the issue can only be addressed by every country meeting their promises under the Paris Climate Agreement.

The Irish........

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