In Ireland, our primary energy need revolves around heat. However, the need for artificial cooling is growing more urgent in many parts of Europe and the world.
This climate change poses a significant threat to millions of people in developing countries and regions unprepared for heatwaves. While we may be experiencing a mild Irish summer, recent extreme weather events have shown that we are not immune from such occurrences.
Although the future is uncertain, the global situation raises concerns. Greece had to temporarily close the Acropolis, a famous archaeological site, due to the heatwave. This move angered some tourists, highlighting our failure to understand the bigger picture.
Athens recorded temperatures above 40C, leading the Red Cross to distribute bottled water to visitors struggling with the heat while visiting the Parthenon temple. Spain, a popular destination for many Irish tourists, is currently experiencing its second heatwave of the summer with temperatures reaching 45C in the town of Albox. And the situation may worsen.
Italy’s health ministry advised residents in 15 cities to avoid being outdoors during midday due to the extreme heat. Both France and Hungary had to decrease output from nuclear power plants because of the heatwave. On Cyprus, people sought refuge under air-conditioning units as temperatures rose to a high of 43C, with nighttime temperatures not falling below 25C. These climate issues are not limited to Europe, as China is currently dealing with heatwaves and flooding, affecting outdoor workers. Last week, Algeria experienced its highest-ever recorded nighttime low temperature of 39.6C in the city of Adrar.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) warns that extreme weather conditions have a significant impact on various aspects of society, including health, ecosystems, economies, agriculture, energy, and water supplies. WMO secretary-general Petteri Taalas emphasizes the urgent need to adapt to this “new normal.” However, our efforts to mitigate these changes have fallen short.
There was a slight positive development recently, as Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 1.9% last year in sectors such as residential, agricultural, and energy. However, experts stress that we must achieve a 12.4% reduction each year until 2025 to meet our targets. While climate change progresses rapidly, our responses have not been adequate.
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