Roscommon County Council preparing its Local Authority Climate Action Plan

Roscommon County Council is preparing its Local Authority Climate Action Plan and is seeking the public’s help to better inform the local council on the actions that should be contained within it.

Climate Action Officer for Roscommon County Council, Barry Tapster, said: “It appears that some of the effects due to climate change are appearing earlier than scientists had originally expected, and that some tipping points will be reached soon.”

He added: “It is important to act as soon as possible and I would encourage everyone to play their part by contributing to the Climate Action Plan consultation which will help guide the actions which the council will be taking to tackle climate change locally.”

Climate change and the dangerous implications that it has for communities throughout the world, is now well established along with the need to take action to lessen the resulting effects.

One of the serious issues arising from global warming is the recent, unprecedented rise in the temperature of the seas around us. In some parts of the Atlantic, just a few kilometres offshore, temperatures five degrees above the average for this time of year have been recorded.

This will have serious implications for some marine wildlife and is a sign that the oceans, which up to now have been absorbing a lot of excess heat resulting from carbon emissions, may be approaching their capacity to absorb this excess heat.

The warmer oceans also have implications for rising sea levels due to water expanding as its temperature rises, a process called thermal expansion. Warmer oceans also give rise to more intense storms, which impact upon communities throughout Ireland.

The public consultation runs until Friday, August 4 through an online survey or via a submission by email to climate@roscommoncoco.ie. Submissions can also be made in writing to Climate Unit, Aras an Chontae, Roscommon, F42 VR98.