Eamon Ryan warns that Ireland could 'freeze' as he says we are 'not immune to climate change'

Eamon Ryan highlighted how Ireland could ‘freeze’ if the climate crisis causes the Atlantic current that keeps us warm to collapse.

In Ryan's State leader's speech at COP29 on Tuesday, he referenced the AMOC, or Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, which “brings warmer waters to our high latitude shores”.

But Minister Ryan told the UN climate summit in Azerbaijan: “If it was to weaken or collapse - which scientists are now saying could be happening faster than expected - it would mean our temperate climate would disappear."

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“We would be faced with freezing temperatures affecting our agriculture, our food security and our entire way of life. Ireland is not immune to climate change,” he added.

“Our small island is becoming warmer and wetter. We see increased rainfall and flooding, affecting our towns, villages and farmland. Marine heatwaves threaten our biodiversity... higher sea-levels and increased coastal storms lead to further erosion of our coastlines.”

Meanwhile, Ryan said “we are witnessing the devastating loss of life, livelihoods and nature” in other countries as a result of “extreme heat, wildfires, tropical storms and flooding". "In a world ravaged by war and destructive weather patterns, we need an agreement here in Baku to give hope for a peaceful future.”

Speaking to the media following his speech, Mr Ryan outlined how Ireland’s “ship is starting to turn” on climate - “particularly in agriculture”.

“We have a good story to tell - we are moving from laggard to leader status," he said.

“Saving money as well as emissions. That’s good for us economically, it’s good for our reputation but also it brings real social, health and other benefits to the country.”

We will be bringing all the latest updates from the COP29 climate summit in Baku with support from Global Ireland. You can follow our environment correspondent on the ground @ShaunaReports on X/ @shaunacorr.bsky.social.

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