An urgent warning on Ireland’s climate vulnerability

Sir, – Yet again we are faced with another warning on the ravages our climate may wreak, this time from the Climate Change Advisory Council (“Ireland facing ‘ever increasing threats to lives and livelihoods’”, News, September 10th).

When will the Government come to understand the single threat of climate, above all else? According to current scientific modelling, it will cause catastrophic damage and misery, perhaps not to this generation but to the lives of our children and grandchildren.

With devastating floods in central Europe, the council now cites Ireland’s “vulnerability due to lack of plans and dedicated sectoral funding” as the basis of its concern.

Why don’t we use the €13 billion Apple tax windfall to at least attempt to put in place the most urgent task the council identified, that of a “coastal management plan and strengthening the critical infrastructure”. Let’s do this for our grandchildren while we have the chance to make a difference. – Yours, etc,