Environmental Photography

Having photographed him many times, I have listened to Professor John FitzGerald, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC), expressing disappointment, at how little the Irish Government is doing to combat climate change.

Ireland is one of the worst performing members of the EU in tackling the changing climate. According to the CCAC Annual Review published in July, "Ireland is not on track to meet its 2020 or 2030 targets, or to decarbonise its economy by 2050." 

It went on to say that "Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions increased again in 2016, with the projections of emissions to 2035 showing that we are completely off course in addressing the challenge of climate change.” 

Well, I'm a photographer and they say that a picture is worth a thousand words:

The photo above is of Dublin seen through the smog, from Fairy Castle on Two Rock mountain, which overlooks the city. It was photographed during the recent "beautiful" Irish summer. 

This week the IPCC published its special report on global warming of 1.5°C, which highlighted the absolute urgency to introduce measures that reduce emissions. It suggests that there are 12 years left to keep temperature rises to a maximum of 1.5 degrees, after which even a half a degree increase, will significantly increase the risks of drought, floods and extreme heat and its consequences for millions of people.

In Ireland we need to start playing our part - and soon! - or it will be a very sad legacy that we leave for future generations.