We need to protect ourselves, our property and our income from the effects of global warming and climate change. This is invariably a costly affair, so is often regarded like insurance, and gets put well down the priority list. Climate change affects much of our lives now, from simply being able to afford to buy quality food, heat our homes, to paying for increasing insurance premiums (property and health) and mortgage repayments. We all need to change our frame of mind in order to tackle these. Ireland is an island and as such is dependent almost totally on imported fuel, for heating, energy production and transport. These are all inherent in the increasing cost of everything we buy.

Food
Many food-producing countries have lost much of their crops last year and this, due to floods, drought, insufficient sun and fires. This has contributed to increased costs of staple foods. For example, wheat prices doubled in 2008. This hasn't just affected the price of bread and flour, but meat prices too, because of the costs to farmers of feed. Bird flu in UK turkey farms in 2007 reduced the supply of turkey, and also lowered consumer confidence in this meat. Similarly, pork farmers suffered just before Christmas 2008 (even organic producers, although I feel this was decidedly unfair, as it was feed that was affected). The only salmon farm in Northern Ireland lost 100,000 fish to an attack of Mauve Stinger jellyfish. How this can be prevented is unknown - it appears that it happens on a 10-year cycle, although this company has been in business for 30 years and never seen this before.

Shopping locally from local producers, cutting out the middle-men and distribution centres reduces the cost of food, and many other items can be sourced locally too, including building materials and furniture. These businesses can then stay in business even when transport costs diminish the export market. There may come a time when foreign supermarket chains cannot remain competitive and will pull out of the Irish market - leaving a big hole to fill - if Irish companies do not remain, then we will not be able to buy anything, including staple foodstuffs. Trevor Sargent (Minister for Food) of the Green Party launched Trinity College Food Week, with the goal of encouraging seasonal eating habits in young adults.

Buying organically-produced, seasonal Irish food reduces the amount of chemicals introduced into the waterways, and ensures we protect our beautiful environment and wildlife for future generations. Many of the chemicals sprayed onto conventional farms need vast quantities of oil-based input, from the base raw materials to the energy in the processing and transport. As these costs rise, non-organic farming will become far more expensive than organic. Conversion now will pre-empt the increasing prices, making Ireland more competitive in this changing marketplace. There are government grants available for farmers to do this.

Health
The latest potential threat to global health is the swine flu virus (H1N1) which seems to have originated in Mexico City (April 2009). The death toll is 21 (confirmed) in Mexico itself, though the cases outside of the country have only been mild versions. Although it hasn't (to date) reached Ireland, it has the capacity to do so, as it has been confirmed in France, New Zealand, USA. If you know someone who has arrived back from Mexico, perhaps you should advise them to get a check-up at their doctors.

It is almost certain that the August 2007 outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in England was started (accidentally) by a laboratory a few miles away, at Pirbright, through the drains which couldn't cope with the flooding. I worked in England during the last outbreak (2001) and wouldn't want a repeat of that year, with burning pyres of cattle carcasses half a mile from where my office was. There was a deadly silence over the whole countryside, as the tourist industry closed down for many months. Some businesses went under, and there were many suicides as farmers' compensation was slow at coming through from the government, and the other associated industries received nothing in compensation. Vehicles were sprayed with disinfectant as they passed through villages in the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, North York Moors National Park, etc. and public footpaths and holiday cottages became out-of-bounds. But, transport of live catlle, sheep and pigs across our borders seem necessary to me. Without this live transport, this and many other diseases would have no way of transferring from mainland Europe, via the UK to potentially Ireland (North and South). The lack of sufficient abattoirs cannot be helping, but that's not the whole story, I'm certain.

Avian flu (H5N1 strain) and Sars have killed many people in regions of Asia, where there are very poor standards of hygiene in intensive poultry farming. There were some instances in wildlife in the UK (not sure about any in Ireland). Many business and pleasure trips are, in my opinion, unnecessary, and may have contributed to some extent to contamination. Of course, migrating birds also carried their share of disease, and we cannot prevent this. Fortunately, we still have free-range and organic poultry in Ireland, and this must be encouraged so we can maintain our self-sufficiency in cases of hardship elsewhere in the world. We are fortunate that we have the Irish Sea between us and the UK, so we can maintain some degree of isolation easily.

As the Sun becomes stronger, and the incidence of skin cancer is increasing, we need to cover up and stay out of the sunshine, especially between 11am and 3pm. Hats are a must, especially for children who rely on their parents for protection during their early years. Heatwaves are becoming more commonplace too. The elderly, as well as young children, can suffer very badly, leading to strokes, heart attacks and organ shutdown, as was seen in France in 2003, when there were 15,000 heat-related fatalities in just 2 weeks.

Another increase in the cost of living is health insurance (2007). How do we offset this? We should look after ourselves, and visit the doctor's surgery when we feel we have a valid reason. Some people are put off by the fixed charge of a visit, and may leave their visit until their symptoms are a lot worse than they should, leading to perhaps elongated recovery periods, or worse still, a life-threatening prognosis. The government, I feel, should remove these fees for everyone, or allow a 'visit limit' before charging. This will improve the health of the whole of Irish society, and save millions of euros, not to mention saving suffering and lives.

In order to reduce risk of contracting something nasty, we have to take a look at our lifestyles. Smoking, as you would expect, comes top of the list for damage, but drinking more than in moderation, and poorly balanced diet and lack of exercise are all things many of us can improve upon. A Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health report from Northern Ireland states that going for a 30 minute brisk walk 3 times a week drastically reduces the risk of heart attack or stroke - not an impossible task for most of us. Set yourself (realistic) targets, get friends to help you, or join in if they have a similar problem area. Support always makes change easier. Don't just make New Year resolutions - they hardly ever succeed. And don't be tempted just to swallow vitamin pills (which have recently been blamed for possibly shortening lives, rather than prolongng them) and cholesterol tablets to counteract your health issues, or go on 'crash diets' to get into the summer swimsuit - far better to learn new eating habits. Don't miss meals, and try the following advice:

  • Breakfast like a king
  • Lunch like a prince
  • Dinner like a pauper

Try to avoid 'snacking' between meals, have a piece of fruit instead, and cut down on excessive 'stimulants' like caffeine (although recent research actually says up to 3 cups of coffee a day can protect you from certain cancers, and slows down the onset of dementia and Alzheimers in women - sorry guys). Give yourself rewards for sticking to your new, healthy plans!

Be good neighbours! Ireland is known for its community spirit, but as we develop our economy this may introduce a different set of standards into our society. Let's hope that we still talk to each other, and call in at our neighbours for a chat. Especially during bad weather, or heatwaves, check up more regularly!

Weather
September 2008 was the coldest September for some 14 years, and up until the end of September, 2008 has already had its full quota of rain, whith still 3 months to go! July 2007 was apparently the wettest in Ireland since records began, with everywhere receiving above average rainfall. A 'hotspot' (if you can call it that) was Baldonnell where 150mm fell - this is three times the normal rainfall for July, the previous record having been set in 1958 at 111mm. Can we expect more of the same in future? I can't tell you with any confidence - it seems we have more varied extreme weather - heavy rain and storms, then long dry hot periods. The latest storms (July 2007) are apparently due to a jetstream which normally spends the summer over Scandinavia - 2007 it has decided to pay a visit to the UK and Ireland (thanks a lot!!).  So much for the summer....... but September 2007 was one of the driest recorded. Who's to say this won't happen on a regular basis - maybe the jetstream was forced south due to global warming (no proof, but may not be the first time something unusual has been attributed to Mankind's actions).

Building on floodplains is ridiculous, as more heavy rain, like we had  in June/July 2007, and the last couple of months in 2008, can cost you a fortune, not only in the initial property repairs, but insurance will inevitably be loaded for these vulnerable low-lying areas, and may even become impossible to get cover at all (threats of this in the UK are already being made from big insurance companies, who incidentally cover many properties in Ireland, and increased premiums by 10% in August 2007, weighted toward properties at risk of flooding). These areas also provide valuable wildlife areas, many of which are migratory routes, so infringing on these is contributing to the 'sixth mass extinction' that is happening (according to many scientists around the world).

Areas of peat bogs have slipped in 2008, causing severe damage to roads and productive land areas. Personally, I believe that cutting peat is causing this to happen. Now, when we need the sponge, it isn't there, and the weight of water held in our upland areas can only hold so much before it gives up the ghost. Don't buy peat for your open fires, and power stations should get themselves into the 21st century!! 

More frequent, and more intense, storms, as we saw last year (2007), and again in March 2008, caused structural damage to infrastructure too, as in Leenane, County Galway where a bridge was washed away. This meant extended journeys, some detours of more than 100km. A temporary, though one-way traffic only, bridge replaced it. Obviously, someone had to pay for this. Inevitably it will be the taxpayer. Not a lot we can do about it after the fact, but more thought should be put into new construction to avoid hefty costs in future.

As we get more intensive storms, topsoil can be washed away, so plant trees (a mixture of our native species) to reduce this - the root systems hold the soil particles together, and slow down run-off too. They help with drainage, and catch some of the rain before it reaches the ground, so some water will be absorbed into the leaves, or stays on the leaf surface until it evaporates when the Sun eventually comes out. Oak trees in the North (Derry) are unfortunately just starting to suffer from Sudden Oak Death - this is transferred from Rhododendrons (alien species) which is why volunteers are trying to eradicate this foreign plant (introduced into gardens as an ornamental, and very pretty, plant, from Asia).

If you do live on a flood plain, or even if you don't, invest in a fire-proof, waterproof box of some sorts, to store all those important documents you wouldn't be able to live without. Keep this upstairs (if you have an upstairs) or at least above floor level. Make photocopies so you have at least the details to inform relevant authorities if you've lost them (e.g. birth/marriage certificates, car registration, insurance documents)

Water
At the other extreme, lack of (safe) drinking water could be a problem in the not too distant future. Lead pipework, from the Victorian era, is still supplying many Irish residents. The extent hasn't been calculated as yet, due to incomplete measuring, but there are widespread high levels of lead in the mains water supply throughout the State. Between March and August 2007 cryptosporidium parasite contaminated the supply to about 90,000 households). An ultra-violet treatment system has now been installed, so the residents no longer have to boil all their drinking water. To a lesser, but equally worrying extent, E.coli has been found in both Glenbeigh (County Kerry) and Swords in Dublin (August 2007). Get a couple of water butts installed, and use them for as much as you can (car washing, plant watering, toilet flushing, but not drinking). Poor old Galway residents do seem to be having a rough time - now a water treatment plant has had electricity problems (20th July 2007), so no drinking water for them until they can get this fixed (don't know if it's the same people, but same geographic area). If possible, get a rainwater-harvesting system installed (drinking water standard) just in case this happens again.

Finance
With the recent global credit crunch, and major banks having to be bailed out by governments, or bought by rivals, I would encourage reining in the credit card and personal loan reliance if possible. This will improve your chances of becoming 'sustainable'. Once you've paid them off, you can concentrate on the necessities rather than the past indulgences (me included in this). Make sure your mortgage gets paid though - you may be able to take a payment holiday - check your bank or building society's rules.

With a global economy comes global economic problems. The strong Euro against the US Dollar is bound to be affecting the many US companies with sites over here. It's so important for indigenous Irish companies to be supported, by the people who work in them, and buy from them. Get yourself extra training to keep yourself 'marketable'. No job it seems is for life anymore. Support those you can who lose their jobs - it could happen to you one day!

Global
US Researchers have discovered that pollution found over the Indian Ocean, from burning wood and fossil fuels in Asia, has increased the intensity of global warming (by as much as 50% in that area). The particulates (tiny aerosols) absorb and/or scatter light, and increase the atmospheric temperature. This, they state, has increased the retreat of the Himalayan glaciers and ice-sheets. This 0.25oC per decade increase means the ice in that area will have retreated by 81% by 2100 (United Nations Environment Programme). This area's snow and ice cover, when it thaws (slowly) supplies fresh water to 40% of the world's population. If this melts, there will be more severe water shortages.

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