Galway is one of a number of cities that could be “lost under rising sea levels within decades”, environmental activists claim.
A group of climate activists from Galway have claimed that parts of Galway city could be underwater within decades, possibly as early as 2035.
To highlight those claims, members of Extinction Rebellion painted tide marks in prominent positions around Galway, including at the famous Spanish Arch landmark, to illustrate where the sea levels will reach should warnings from climate scientists not be heeded.
They also provided illustrations of what the city could look like should said warnings be ignored, featuring Dock Road and where the Spanish Arch is located at the bottom of Quay Street.
“Galway is just one of the many cities around the world which would be lost under rising sea levels within decades, and we know that more frequent storm surges will add further flooding risks,” a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion said.
In May 2018, the Minister of State for the Office of Public Works & Flood Relief, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD, launched a 10-year programme of €1 billion in investment in flood relief measures.
Earlier this week, Minister Moran informed the Dáil that there are 95 flood relief schemes ongoing in Ireland.
Some 95 flood relief schemes are currently ongoing in the Country, Minister of State Moran has told the Dail this morning. @opwireland pic.twitter.com/PgrtxHnxNV
— Kevin 'Boxer' Moran (@kevinboxermoran) June 20, 2019
Last month, meanwhile, Ireland became the second country in the world to declare a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency – a move later described by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as “symbolic” – on foot of a UN report in 2018 which stated that we have just 12 years to act before climate change becomes irreversible.
“The paint is temporary, but the warming of our planet isn’t,” said one activist of the tide marks painted around Galway city.
“We are urging the government to make this declaration more than just a ‘symbolic’ gesture, it is now an emergency and we are demanding an urgent response on this.”
Extinction Rebellion will hold a ‘Pot Luck for the Planet’ event in Galway this Sunday, 23 June, from 1-4pm in Aras na nGael on Dominick Street in Galway city.
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