Green Party candidate Michael White said he believes that people in Donegal don’t yet realise the seriousness of the threat of climate change.
Rising sea levels, flooding and dramatic changes in weather are just some of the immediate effects of climate change that will worsen in the future, said the Letterkenny software developer and election candidate.
As voting day approaches, White is calling on the electorate to take action and help avoid the worst outcomes.
He said: “January 2020 was the hottest ever recorded in Europe with surface temperatures were 3.1C warmer than average. And the last 5 years on earth have been hotter than at any time since the start of the industrial revolution two centuries ago
“This is just a taste of things to come if we do not take drastic action now.”
But what in practical terms do increasing CO2 levels and temperatures mean in Donegal?
White says the highest risks are related to rainfall, sea level rise, storms and weather pattern changes.
“Increased temperatures means heavier rainfall because warmer air holds more water. For us in Donegal the frequency of extreme rain events is projected to rise 30% in the next 25 years. So that’s a lot more flooding, a lot more destroyed roads and a lot more farmers struggling to generate income because of problems with crops and livestock.
“Sea level rise is also projected to have an impact on the county. New research shows that rising seas could leave hundreds of homes, businesses and critical infrastructure under risk of flooding in the county by 2050.”
“Something that seems as remote as Antarctic ice melt will have a serious negative impact on us here in Donegal”, says White.
He said other impacts include Arctic ice melt diluting the salt concentration of water in the North Atlantic, which will impact both fish population patterns and feeding grounds, but could also slow down the Gulf Stream, causing severe disruption to weather in Donegal.
But White said he is optimistic that we can successfully avoid the worst outcomes.
“I’m asking people not to get disheartened or fearful but instead to take action. Humans created this problem and humans can solve it. That means using your vote to the best effect, and taking other steps to work together to resolve this. And of course from my point of view, that means voting for the Green Party. We have been right about this issue for the past 30 years. We can help ensure that Donegal avoids the worst impacts while also providing opportunities for a better future”.
