ALERT: Extreme weather events set to hit major Irish services and put human health at risk

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has highlighted two major issues that could hit Ireland in the next five years as a result of climate change.

This comes as Ireland is set to miss its 2030 Climate Targets resulting in the imposition of hefty fines.

Ireland is projected to achieve a reduction of up to 23%, less than half of the 51% target that was set for 2030.

According to the EPA, the two major issues that are set to hit Ireland in the next five years due to climate change are as follows:

Climate change is creating a risk of disruption and damage to communication services and energy distribution infrastructure due to extreme wind, like Storm Éowyn for example.

Communication services, if damaged or disrupted, will mean Wi-Fi will be down and internet activity in general will cut off.

Extreme wind could also shut off the electricity grid, similar to events that occurred during Storm Eowyn where thousands of homes across the country lost their power.

Buildings in Ireland, like homes and businesses, and transport infrastructure like train and bus services are also at risk of damage and disruption due to extreme wind, coastal erosion and flooding that will be brought on by climate change.

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Additional significant risks that should be prioritised for further investigation in the next five years include risks to the built environment and human health from flooding and heat, the EPA said.

The EPA Risk Assessment also identified 115 risks from projected changes in climate conditions. Of these, 43 are deemed significant risks.

All sectors of our economy, society, and environment from energy, transport and communications to water security, public health, food production and supply and ecosystems will be at risk.

Commenting on the report, Laura Burke, EPA Director General said:  “We know that Ireland is being impacted by climate change already. This comprehensive assessment highlights the need for additional urgent action to ensure Ireland is sustainably resilient to the risks that we currently face, and will increasingly experience, in the coming decades.”

The full report can be found here.