EPA predicts three-degree temperature rise in 50 years
A new report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is predicting temperature rises of up to three degrees Celsius over the next 50 years.
It also forecasts a 17% rise in rainfall during the winter months.
The report, which focuses on climate change, is warning that increased temperatures and higher levels of rainfall are unavoidable.
This is the first ever study to assess the implications of a rise in temperature for this country and examines how the Irish landscape will be altered as a result of these changes.
The EPA has forecast that at least 300 square kilometres of the country could be permanently flooded within 50 years because of rising sea levels.
Summer droughts, violent winter storms and contaminated drinking supplies are also on the cards.
Our main cities, Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick, are likely to be worst affected by the effects of global warming.
