Science shows climate change impact now and severe consequeces for our environment in the future.
Representatives of 190 countries will be in Paris for the UN Climate Change Conference to try to agree measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the impacts of climate change. The COP21 meeting will aim to forge a pact that will stop global average temperatures from rising two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century.
The Inuit people of northern Canada are witnessing the transformation of their landscape and temperatures are rising two to three times faster than in the rest of the world.
Glaciers retreating, sea ice melting, an ecosystem, a way of life disappearing.
While climate has always varied globally, temperatures are now increasing faster than ever before. Temperatures have risen by almost one degree Celsius since the Industrial Revolution. 2014 was the hottest year on record and 2015 is proving to be even warmer. Experts warn that an increase of two degrees above pre-industrial levels would be dangerous. The United Nations predicts the planet is on course to exceed that level of increase.
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are on the rise and are produced by burning fossil fuels. The emissions trap energy in the atmosphere, causing it to warm. The consequences of these rising temperatures are already being felt through more frequent storms, heatwaves, floods, melting ice and rising seas.
Dr Cara Augustenborg, UCD and Green Party climate change spokesperson, says there could be a one metre rise in sea level in Ireland by 2100. She says we are witnessing ocean acidification from the additional carbon dioxide resulting from climate change. This is having a major impact on fish stocks and marine life.
At Mace Head in Connemara, scientists are monitoring emissions from the Atlantic air and note that carbon emissions continue to rise. According to Gerry Spain, Researcher on AGAGE Project & NUI Galway, we are on course to overheat the planet.
If it's left at business as usual, we're simply going to kill ourselves.
Even if emissions are cut now, it will take hundreds of years for the environment to recover.
Dr Frank McGovern, Head of Climate Change Research, says the time for action on energy, transport and food production is now.
It is now hoped that an overall international plan can be agreed at COP-21 in Paris next week.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 24 November 2015. The reporter is Will Goodbody.
