Climate change and the loss of biodiversity are the most threatening challenges to life on Earth. BirdWatch Ireland advocates for deep and urgent cuts to greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. At the same time, halting and reversing losses in our bird populations and safeguarding their habitats is unquestionable.
Impacts of Climate Change on birds
Climate change is already affecting birds and their habitats. Climate change is an ongoing and intensifying threat to birds, biodiversity and human society and therefore its is taking on increasing focus within our conservation efforts.
Renewable Energy
We must end the use of fossil fuels in order to keep temperatures below 1.5 degrees of warming. Renewable energy such as wind, solar, wave and tidal are key sources of energy into the future. Deployment of renewables poses a threat to birds and habitats so we have developed tools to minimise the impacts.
Climate Change and Agriculture
The intensification of agriculture has had significant impacts on birds in Ireland and has also resulted in significant greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions account for over a third of national greenhouse gas emissions. Every sector must play its part in reducing emissions in order to stay below 1.5 degrees of warming, including agriculture.
Ocean and Climate Change
The ocean is a key driver of global weather patterns and mitigates global warming through the cycling of carbon and carbon sequestration. Life in the ocean is under immense strain from global warming.
