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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Michelle Cullen

What Ireland will look like in 30 years as global warming continues and parts go underwater

The world is on track to miss climate actions targets, which will result in the damage to the earth's Ozone layer becoming irreversible.

According to the latest report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), humanity must change course and leave behind the age of fossil fuels and embrace a new era of life to avoid detrimental results.

The effects of global warming have already been seen across the globe, with extreme weather events such as flooding and forest fires becoming more frequent.

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Aerial photograph looking over green fields and buildings in Dublin, Ireland. (gettyimages.ie)

However, the IPCC has said it is still technically possible for countries to curb carbon pollution if action is taken immediately.

A coordinated effort to scale up renewable energy sources, overhaul transportation systems, restructure cities, improve agriculture and pull carbon from the air could put the planet on a more sustainable path, but huge investment from world leaders is needed.

The IPCC has warned that historical investment in fossil fuels has made it difficult for some to back plans for a greener future, but if the planet is to survive, more needs to be done.

As an island, Ireland is in a unique position and is at serious risk of entering into unprecedented territory as sea levels rise, submerging much of Ireland's coastline underwater.

The IPCC released a map late last year detailing the areas of Ireland that could be underwater in as little as ten years.

The map showed that areas of Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Derry and Limerick were all under serious threat as temperatures continue to rise globally.

The capital will become one of the worst affected areas in the country, with water cutting off land, including Howth, creating a new Island.

Areas such as Sandymount, North Bull Island, Portmarnock and Malahide are also predicted to be underwater shortly.

Some of the highest populated areas of Dublin city will be underwater (Climate Central)

Areas of Cork such as Cobh and Youghal are in grave danger, while Cork City will bear the brunt of the damage with the famous Marina Market, half of UCC and the entirety of Páirc Ui Chaoimh faced with being put under the sea if things do not change.

The famous Marina Market, half of UCC and the entirety of Páirc Ui Chaoimh face being put under the sea if things do not change (Climate Central)

The sunny southeast will also be hit with some changes as holiday villages such as Kilmore Quay and Rosslare to be badly affected.

Curracloe will also see a significant amount of flooding.

Wexford underwater (Climate Central)

Clare and Limerick will see attractions such as Bunratty Castle, Shannon Airport and Adare Manor golf course cease to exist.

While, the country's northern half won't escape the water either, as Letterkenny will also be losing landmass to the ocean.

Belfast will also be hugely affected as large swathes of the city, including landmarks such as the George Best Airport and the Titanic Museum, are flooded.

Portlaw and Carrick-On-Suir will be the worst affected areas in Waterford, with the low laying level of the land becoming submerged.

However, the erosion of Ireland's coastline could be accelerated further as the map does not account for extreme flooding events, storms, inland flooding or rainfall.

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