We ignore the science at our peril

Had we been in any doubt that the climate crisis has arrived on our shores than the devastation caused in the south of the county last week by Storm Babet should have given us a wake up call.

We regularly see pictures of weather extremes on our TV screens and think that this will never happen to us. Many people in East Cork probably thought likewise.

The warnings are plentiful, but unfortunately it is taking too long to put in place the necessary measures to protect us from extreme weather conditions.

Small businesses and homeowners in places like Midleton were caught defenceless in the eye of the storm last week. We all saw the pictures, heard the heart-breaking stories and witnessed the heroic efforts being made by local communities as people rallied to help those stricken by surging water levels when streets turned into rivers in some areas and businesses and homes were left in ruins.

People living near Lough Funshinagh in South Roscommon know too well the nightmare of rising flood waters and the battle to save homes and livelihoods from water.

Yes, there have been pledges from Government to guarantee emergency funding to help those who have been most affected. But often this funding is inadequate.

Of course the immediate priority has to be help those worst affected. However, we also need to act quickly to prepare more effectively for exceptional conditions.

Roscommon isn’t immune and neither is any other county. Delays in flood relief schemes, in pipe works, as is the case in Lough Funshinagh, are often tied up in statutory processes, in objections and in court challenges.

We read during the week of 90 schemes identified nationwide in terms of flood relief only 53 have started. Why and what can be done?

Recently 40 scientists from around the world warned that what we now categorise as “extreme weather” would become the norm within the next 10 years, unless we take dramatic action. We ignore the science at our peril.