Ireland's climate is changing significantly because of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and agricultural practices, a report published today suggests.
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Change Indicators for Irelandreport shows an overall rise in average temperature over the 20th century along with increases in seasonal maximum and minimum temperatures.
Increases in winter temperatures mean that this season has experienced the greatest warming, the report says, adding there has been a significant decrease in the frequency of frosty or "cold" days nationally and a general increase of "hot" days.
Rainfall levels in the north of the country have increased and have decreased in the South. On a seasonal basis, an increase in rainfall in winter in the northwest is evident. A decrease in summer rainfall in the southeast has also been observed.
The report says the climate change Ireland is experiencing mirrors a global trend, albeit at a slower rate. It also says the climate will continue to change - possibly resulting in major environmental changes as well as economic and social problems.
The EPA recommends that an integrated climate monitoring strategy be devised and implemented urgently. The report was prepared by scientists at NUI Maynooth and Trinity College Dublin.
Announcing the report this morning, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, said it showed Ireland was not immune to climate change and its impacts, noting that Ireland's per capita emissions of greenhouse gases were amongst the highest in the world.
"Our target under the Kyoto Protocol - to limit emissions of greenhouse gases to 13 per cent above 1990 levels by 2008 to 2012 - can only be regarded as transitional," Mr Cullen said. "We must prepare for deeper cuts".
