‘It’s time to recognise the realities of climate change’ and its impact on Kilkenny

Discussion around global warming has resurfaced at council level in Kilkenny

A local councillor has urged Kilkenny County Council to implement a greening and planting strategy in the city’s public areas as part of the global effort to combat the negative impacts of climate change.

In a notice of motion passed at June’s sitting of the Kilkenny City Municipal District, Clle Sean Ó hArgain cited ‘growing concerns in global warming’s impact on our urban areas.’

Just last week, temperatures soared in Kilkenny and across the country with temperatures exceeding 30C in some places.

As a result, weather warnings were issued by Met Eireann and even the city’s high temperature record was challenged.

According to records, the highest temperature recorded in the Republic of Ireland was 33.3C at Kilkenny Caste on June 26, 1887. But for how much longer?

At last month’s meeting of city councillors, the Labour Party representative urged the local authority to continue expanding community orchards, allotments, and school and community gardens across the area.

He told the meeting that these initiatives not only encourage greater awareness of the potential for local food production but also play an important role in enhancing biodiversity and creating greener, more sustainable public spaces.

“I’m proposing this motion as part of an effort to recognise the realities of climate change and the way they will impact our city in the very near future.

"Ironically, on the day I submitted the motion, it was pouring with rain, and the day I’m submitting it, we have one of our summer days again,” Cllr Ó hArgain said.

“Future-proofing of public areas is something that is happening in urban areas throughout Europe. The constant rain we’ve had in the first half of this year might make some wonder why I would propose the motion, but it has been matched with days of intense heat,” he continued.

“Some parts of our continent are suffering from extreme temperatures during the summer months, with residents in those areas seeking a holiday in Ireland and other Northern European countries to escape from the extreme heat there,” he noted.

“We’ve also discussed the impact of the other weather events, like heavy rainfall and flooding, becoming more regular.”

Mr ÓhArgain requested more ‘appropriate planting strategies’ in the city and that it become an ‘essential part’ of any plans.