The Climate Catastrophe: An Explainer by Nicola Briggs https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94 The causes and consequences of climate change and why Ireland is falling behind in response en-us 2023-01-26 09:15:47 UTC 2025-11-30 23:41:48 UTC hello@padlet.com Climate Change in 60 Seconds 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2463535648 Please watch this short video for an overview of the causes of climate change.]]> 2023-01-31 18:56:53 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2463535648 Climate Change and Health 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2463614870 Please watch this short video from the Better Health Channel on the impacts of climate change on our health and what we can do about it.]]> 2023-01-31 19:54:03 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2463614870 Climate Change - The Biggest Global Health Threat of the 21st Century 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2472371321 Climate change. Global warming. Environmental destruction.  

There are many abstract ideas used to describe the biggest threat to our planet in modern times.  So often, people switch off from the enormity of the issue or think that it means higher temperatures and floods in the developing world but that Ireland won't be affected. 

However, Earth is a system where everything is connected and change in one area influences changes in all other areas.  It is already affecting us and unless we all take drastic action, things will only get worse. 

This padlet will discuss: 
  • What causes climate change? 
  • What are the consequences of climate change for life on earth? 
  • Why climate change action in Ireland to date has been insufficient?

(Rizkiyanto, 2009)
]]> 2023-02-07 19:35:13 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2472371321 Everyday Stories of Climate Change - A Comic 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474053422 This illustrated resource helps young people to learn about how climate change impacts ordinary families in five different countries around the world.]]> 2023-02-08 20:07:39 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474053422 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474064942 2023-02-08 20:17:35 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474064942 The Stark Reality 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474073604 The stark reality of some of the impacts of climate change:
  • Rising sea levels
  • Thawing permafrost
  • Wildfires
  • Extreme weather events
  • Earthquakes
  • Severe droughts
  • More infectious diseases
  • Psychological Effects - such as PTSD
  • Poverty
  • Poor quality food
  • War and violence
  • Climate Refugees

(Romanello et al., 2022; Mullan, 2023; Xkcd, 2022)
]]> 2023-02-08 20:25:22 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474073604 Causes of Climate Change 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474090113 Climate is the average weather in a place over many years.  Climate change is a shift in these averages and the warming of the earth's atmosphere, oceans and land.  The rapid rise in climate change that we see now is a result of human activity - our consumption of oil, gas and coal (fossil fuels) to provide energy for our homes, industry and transport. 

Greenhouse gases act like a duvet to keep the earth at a temperature of 33 degrees which is warm enough to for humans to live.  However, since the Industrial Revolution and particularly since the 1970's, human consumption of fossil fuels have had the effect of a winter duvet in the summertime and the earth is getting too warm.  These gases, mainly carbon dioxide and methane, trap the Sun's heat which causes the Earth's temperature to rise.

The main causes, either directly or indirectly are from:
  • Transport
  • Pollution
  • Energy Production
  • Unsustainable consumption of plastics, fast fashion
  • Agriculture

The earth is now about 10C warmer than in pre industrial times.  In fact, the Earth is now warmer than it's been in 125,000 years!

This is unprecedented and if allowed to continue, the world will be 4 degrees hotter by 2100.  This would be similar to a 40 degree fever in a human and would lead to irreversible loss of plants and animal species, devastating heatwaves and rising sea levels.

The world will be in critical care.

(BBC, 2022; Masson-Delmotte et al., 2022; Mullan, 2023; Parsons, 2021)

]]> 2023-02-08 20:41:34 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474090113 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474103634 2023-02-08 20:55:23 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474103634 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474103854 2023-02-08 20:55:39 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474103854 The Irish Response 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474104208 2023-02-08 20:56:02 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474104208 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474104496 2023-02-08 20:56:24 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474104496 Climate Change and the Health Consequences 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474130163 The very foundations for good health are being weakened by climate change.  This impact intensifies the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions on health. 

A growing number of persons over 65 die each year from heat-related causes as a result of the intense heatwaves, which also impact mental health and ability to work and exercise. 

Physical and mental health are increasingly being impacted by frequent and extreme weather events, both directly and indirectly. 

Developing countries are disproportionately overburdened by economic losses, the threat of infectious disease outbreaks and the security of the world's food supply.

Children, older people, those who are already ill and those living in poverty are the most vulnerable in every society to the health consequences of climate change.

(Romanello et al., 2022; CDC, 2022)

]]> 2023-02-08 21:26:11 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474130163 References 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474134368 Bailey, P. (2022). Earth Day 2022: Global Attitudes to Climate Change. [Report]. IPSOS. www.ipsos.com

BBC News. (2022). What is Climate Change? [Website]. www.bbc.com/news/science-environment

Better Health Channel. (2022). Climate Change and Health. [Video]. Victoria State Government, Australia.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Climate Effects on Health. [Infographic]. National Center for Environmental Health, US.

Davies, S. (2019). Climate Change - The Facts. [Documentary]. 360 Productions.

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. (2023). Climate Action Plan 2023: Change Ireland for the Better. Government of Ireland.

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. (2019). The Climate Action Plan 2019: Securing Our Future. Government of Ireland.

Masson-Delmotte, V., P. Zhai, A. Pirani, S.L. Connors, C. Péan, S. Berger, N. Caud, Y. Chen, L. Goldfarb, M.I. Gomis, M. Huang, K. Leitzell, E. Lonnoy, J.B.R. Matthews, T.K. Maycock, T. Waterfield, O. Yelekçi, R. Yu, & B. Zhou (eds.) (2022). IPCC Report: Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Doi:10.1017/9781009157896.

Environmental Protection Agency. (2021). Ireland's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projection. [Infographic]. www.epa.ie

Mullan, E. (2023). Environment and Health Lecture Notes. SETU Waterford.

Parsons, G. (2021). Extinction. [Image]. The Week.  www.the week.com/politicalsatire

Raeside, A. (2021). Climate Change. [Image]. Powell River Peak Newspaper.  www.prpeak.com

Rizkiyanto, F. (2009). Climate Change: Time [Image]. www.ferdi-rizkiyanto.blogspot.com

Romanello, M., Di Napoli, C., Drummond, P., Green, C., Kennard, H., Lampard, P., Scamman, D., Arnell, N., Ayeb-Karlsson, S. et al. (2022). The 2022 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: health at the mercy of fossil fuels. The Lancet,400(10363), 1619-1654. Doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01540-9.

Science Sparks. (2019). What is Climate Change? [Infographic]. www.science-sparks.com

Sou, G., Risha, A.N., Sims, C., and Ziervogel, G. (2022). Everyday Stories of Climate Change. [Comic Book]. RMIT University and The University of Manchester.

Sutton, M. (2022). 40% of active travel budget drawn on in 2022. Cycling Industry. www.cyclingindustry.news

Turner, M. (2021). Climate Change Target COP 26. [Image]. Irish Times. www.irishtimes.com

Turner, M. (2021). Global Warming. [Image]. Irish Times. www.irishtimes.com

The Columbian. (2022). Global Warming. [Image]. Editorial Cartoons.  www.columbian.com

The Royal Society. (2014). Climate Change in 60 seconds. [Video]. www.royalsociety.org

Wilkinson, S. (2020). Trillion Tree Planting. [Image]. The Philadephia Inquirer. www.inquirer.com/opinion/cartoons

XKCD. (2022). 4.5 Degrees - How Big A Change Is That? [Image]. www.xkcd.com/1379



]]> 2023-02-08 21:31:17 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474134368 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474733510 2023-02-09 09:35:13 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474733510 Climate Change Consequences 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474757449 Extreme weather events are already more intense across the globe.  
  • In East Africa, farmland is turning to desert with 22 million people at risk of severe hunger.
  • In Europe, increased wildfires have lead to seven times more land burnt in the first 6 months of 2022 than the average recorded.
  • Warming temperatures in places like Siberia mean that frozen ground(tundra) may melt, releasing greenhouse gases that have been trapped for centuries in to the atmosphere.

As more droughts and food shortages occur, more people will be forced to migrate northwards, making the current refugee crisis even more acute. 

Millions of people will need humanitarian aid as there will more food shortages, lack of clean drinking water and land loss.  

And even though most of the carbon emissions come from the wealthy Northern Hemisphere, it is the poorer, developing countries in the South who will suffer the most.

(BBC, 2022; Davies, 2019; Romanello et al., 2022)



]]> 2023-02-09 09:55:42 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474757449 Global Attitudes 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474760219 2023-02-09 09:58:05 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2474760219 Climate Change - A Top Priority? 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2476162108 The results of a global poll in 2022 show that 7 in 10 people are concerned about the impact of climate change.  However, as shown in the graph above, there are other issues that people feel are more important such as war, the cost of living, their families' health and the ongoing pandemic.  

People know that they need to change their behaviour to address global warming but when the issue isn't top of their agenda, they are unlikely to do so unless there are incentives that match their priorities.

The same poll indicated that on average only 39% of people globally feel that their government have clear strategies in place to combat climate change.  Behaviour and system change on the scale necessary to combat climate change needs good, decisive leadership and without that, people will focus on the immediate issues in their lives and not on the long term effects of climate change.

(Bailey, 2022)]]> 2023-02-10 09:12:19 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2476162108 The Current State of Ireland's Carbon Footprint 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2476253914 Ireland has the 3rd highest carbon output per capita in the EU and the 30th highest globally.  For such a small country, we contribute a lot of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.  Why?
  • Agriculture - 38% of emissions in Ireland come from cow herds and fertiliser.  The average in the EU is 10%.
  • Transport - Ireland's public transport and active travel system is poorly developed so most people rely on cars for travel. Even though public money has been allocated to improving these issues, only 40% of Ireland's active travel budget was drawn on in 2022.

Irish governments have historically been slow to act on climate change, particularly with the agriculture sector.  However, time is running out and emissions have to be cut by 50% in 2030 and 100% by 2050.  So what are the Irish plans for the future?

(EPA, 2021; Mullan, 2023; Sutton, 2022)
]]> 2023-02-10 10:47:29 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2476253914 Climate Action Plan 2023 20088171_1 https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2476264258 Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2023  (the annual update to the Climate Action Plan 2019) calls for using grants, incentives, and taxes to organise €125 billion of public and private investment to allow: 
  • enough renewable electricity to power every home and business in the country by 2030
  • 70% of people in rural Ireland to have buses that go three times a day to the nearest town
  • 500,000 homes retrofitted to BER B2 to make them warmer
  • 1 in 3 private cars on our roads to be electric by 2030
  • walking, cycling and public transport to account for 50% of all daily trips
  • tillage farming to cover up to 400,000 hectares by 2030
  • Tariffs for micro-generation - selling back to the grid
  • Planting forests
  • Propsed ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2030

This plan is a step in this right direction and the government acknowledges that many of the actions outlined will be challenging and require a mindset shift on behalf of the Irish people.  However, the plan outlines the benefits which include:
  • warmer homes
  • cheaper electricity
  • better transport
  • biodiversity-rich landscapes
  • improved health
  • a thriving, green economy for current and future generations

Nevertheless, there is a big challenge ahead to reach the targets set and reach the 100% reduction required by 2050.  Every year matters.  Every individual matters.  Every choice matters.

(Government of Ireland, 2019; Government of Ireland, 2023)
]]> 2023-02-10 10:59:14 UTC https://padlet.com/20088171_1/spflqtdezvw7np94/wish/2476264258