Coastal NI under threat from melting Arctic

Rising sea levels could put many of Northern Ireland’s most vulnerable coastal areas under threat if carbon dioxide emissions are not cut immediately, a new report has claimed.

The Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA), which was produced by more than 250 scientists for arctic governments, revealed that by the end of the century, sea levels could rise by nearly one meter and that a warmer Arctic will contribute up to 15% of this rise.

Malachy Campbell, policy officer at WWF Northern Ireland, said: “The big melt has begun, and that is bad news for all of us. Increasing melting of glaciers and the Greenland ice sheet could weaken or even stop the warm flow of the Gulf Stream.

“This would have catastrophic consequences for Britain and Ireland which would then experience severe freezing winters, like those in Canada. This report should act as a real wake up call for us. We need to act.

"Life on earth would change beyond recognition with the loss of the ice sheet at the north pole and higher sea levels threatening cities such as London, New York and closer to home Derry and Belfast as well as other coastal communities."

Mr Campbell said the report showed that climate change was happening now and would have serious impacts for everyone on the planet.

“It is imperative that Northern Ireland develops a long-term energy strategy, which incorporates reducing energy consumption and a 'switch' from fossil fuels to increasing use of renewable resources,” he concluded.

(MB)