A LIMERICK TD has pointed to the increasingly frequent need for flood barriers in the city as evidence of how Limerick needs new strategies to deal with the problem.
Green Party Deputy Brian Leddin was speaking following the publication of the report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Noting that the report states that there is only a small window of opportunity to avoid the most drastic changes, Deputy Leddin pointed to the visible effects of climate change in Limerick.
“Unfortunately climate change and its disastrous consequences are a reality and we need to do our best to adapt to that reality. The flood barriers on the Quays in Limerick are a regular occurrence now as the Shannon overflows the banks. But we need more permanent solutions.
“Climate adaptation measures like flood defences address these consequences and lower the risks of climate change. We also need to consider where we put our new housing and how we reduce vulnerability of existing housing in areas that are not yet protected against flooding.”
Deputy Leddin added: “As a country we are leading with respect to ambition in reducing carbon emissions. We are a small nation, but we have made an iron-clad commitment to reduce emissions by more than 50 per cent within a decade. The aggregate of small nations will have a greater positive impact on the climate agenda than any one superpower. It is very important to be aware of that and understand Ireland’s influence internationally.”
