SEPTEMBER 2005

Potatoes are under threat from climate change warns report from state agency

Irish potatoes are under serious threat from climate change, which will also lead to horrendous winter floods and summer droughts by 2050, according to a report issued by the State's Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) agency.

The SEI, a Government body, has warned that the country faces major environmental challenges from climate change including a possible 11pc increase in rainfall, "and even an inability by farmers to grow staple crops such as potatoes, adding that, a concerted effort is now required to combat climate change."

The temperature in January will have increased by 1.5 Celsius, Winter conditions in Northern Ireland and the north midlands will be similar to the southwest coast today.

While milder winters might seem like a good thing, this is not necessarily the case and according to the report rainfall will increase by 11pc.

It also suggests that Ireland's summers will be warmer and drier by 2050 and the average July temperature could increase by 2.5 Celsius.

While most of us would welcome warmer summers, there could be serious implications of this increase in the form of summer droughts, which will impact on the cost of water supply.

David Taylor, SEI chief executive, said climate change was the theme of this year's energy awareness week and consumers could make a difference by their actions.

Most scientists now agree that energy generated from fossil fuels which releases carbon dioxide, is largely responsible for climate change and that the choices we make today will decide the future of our climate.

Mr Taylor added that climate change was already starting to affect Ireland, as evidenced in recent years by the increase in extreme weather events such as floods and storms. "If this continues the impacts will be substantial, among them the risk that Irish farmers won't be able to grow potatoes anymore," he said. "We could also see the arrival of new agricultural pests, threatening crop development."

The Combat Climate Change campaign aims to encourage all of us to play our part in addressing this very serious issue.

A special website www.combatclimatechange.ie highlights the actions that can be taken by people. The site also includes an energy calculator which allows people to find out if they are a high or low energy user.

Mr Taylor added: "Knowing what causes climate change means we know where to look for a solution. The solution is to use less energy where we can and embrace renewable energy sources which don't produce carbon dioxide."

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