Ireland’s climate will soon be like the Mediterranean, a report has concluded. 

In 2015, world leaders met in Paris for COP21 and agreed to try and “limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.”

If the planet warms more than 1.5°C there will be significant increases in food and water shortages and extreme weather events.

It would also trigger the melting of ice caps, the destruction of coral reefs and the displacement of millions of people across the globe. 

A report by the World Meteorological Organisation has now concluded there is a 66% chance the planet will surpass the 1.5°C target by 2027 and doing so would transform Ireland’s climate. 

“Basically, we’re moving towards a more Mediterranean style climate in Ireland,” UCC’s Dr Chris Mays told The Last Word on Today FM. 

“Not a great place to have a Mediterranean climate - I’d rather keep it in the Mediterranean, quite frankly.” 

Pictured are people relaxing at Burrow Beach in Sutton, Dublin. Photograph: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

Last year, Ireland saw a number of temperature records broken and the research concluded there is a 98% chance of the world’s hottest year on record happening by 2027. 

“[There will be] longer summers, drier summers in Ireland - depending on where you are,” Dr Mays said. 

“Now that sounds pretty good but for most of us listening from Ireland… but what [happens] is infrastructure is not ready for that.” 

COP28

World leaders will meet in Dubai at the end of the year for COP28 for a “global stocktake” where climate targets will be discussed. 

The Irish Government has committed to generating 80% of the country’s energy from renewable sources by 2030 and hopes to reach net zero by 2050.

Main image: People enjoy jumping in and swimming at the Forty Foot in Dublin. Photo: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie