Climate Change Impacts for Ireland Part 2: Changes in Key Climatic Variables

Over the past five years or so research into the impacts of climate change in Ireland has been developing rapidly and we now have more information than ever before on the likely magnitudes and the spatial distribution of change in Ireland. Part One of the paper provided an overview of the steps and challenges involved in developing future climate scenarios. This paper draws together the main findings for changes in key climatic variables and impacts from recent reports on climate change in Ireland over the coming century. It also asks where the focus of climate change research needs to be pointed next in order to ensure successful adaptation to what are likely to be substantial changes