Implications of the EU climate protection target for Ireland

• Other Authors: McElwain, Laura, Sweeney, John
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Niedersächsische Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek 2006
• Subjects: 14; ggo; Antarctic; Greenland; West Antarctic Ice Sheet; Antarc*; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: http://webdoc.sub.gwdg.de/ebook/mon/2008/ppn%20584750242.pdf

The European Union has adopted a long-term climate protection target to limit global mean temperatures to not more than 2ʿC above pre-industrial levels. This is in response to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Article 2 objective which is to stabilisegreenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate systemʺ. Scientific analysis suggests that atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations would need to be stabilised at levels close to 450 ppm CO2 equivalent to ensure that the 2ʿC target is not breached. However, there is still considerable uncertainty surrounding this stabilisation level. Defining what is dangerousʺ requires an analysis of the various impacts of climate change and the temperature change at which they occur. For Ireland, the 2ʿC target represents an appropriate 'guard rail' for avoiding dangerous climate change in relation to major climate impacts. Exceeding this target, the melting of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and the Greenland Ice Sheet and subsequent sea level rise, as well as a reduction of the Thermohaline Circulation, are among the most important 'high-impact, low-probability' events which would have substantial impacts for Ireland. Ireland will also experience significant climate change impacts below 2ʿC, many of which are now unavoidable. Adaptation actions will be required to reduce adverse impacts of these changes . IMD-Felder maschinell generiert