The world has always experienced extreme climatic or geophysical events or ‘hazards’. The ‘El Nino’ which can cause extreme weather for example is a ‘natural’ climatic phenomena. Droughts, plagues of locusts, hurricanes, cyclones and floods, have always been part of the reality of life on earth.

One of the key aspects of the current concern over global warming is the predictions for sea-level rise and the likely impact of this. This aspect of the whole global warming story is poorly understood by most and yet it will have the greatest impact on Ireland, of that there is no doubt. Even though the climate of Ireland will get warmer with more seasonality of rainfall which could lead to increased flooding in winter and water shortages in summer especially in the eastern half of Ireland. This will not have a big impact on the country with the exception of agriculture where some adjustments may have to be made. At the moment however the lengthening of the growing season for grass by a number of weeks over the last 30 years or so is of benefit to farmers in Ireland.