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Mr. Michael Kitt, TD, Minister of State for the Environment,
Heritage and Local Government, attended the European Environment
Agency photographic exhibition - Changing Climate, Changing
People.
The exhibition was on display in the Office of Public Works,
St. Stephens Green until 11th July 2008.
The Exhibition presented images of Greenland by Pulitzer
prize-winning photojournalist John McConnico. Mr. McConnico
visited Greenland in 2007 to document the effects of climate
change on the breathtaking Arctic scenery. On June 21st
of that year, temperatures reached 22°Celsius - the highest
on record. The photographs tell their own story, with the
ice showing the scars of the summer melt.
The Minister thanked the European Environment Agency and
Mr. McConnico for their work on the exhibition. He also thanked
the Environment Protection Agency and the Irish Embassy in
Copenhagen for their efforts in bringing this important exhibition
to Ireland.
Speaking at the exhibition, the Minister praised Mr. McConnico
for his outstanding work. “I think your photographs tell their
own story. I think they show quite clearly that climate change
is real and it is happening. The exhibition is an important
tool in getting the message across - we need to protect the
environment” - he said.
He also spoke about the recent findings of the IPCC report
and the recent research report by Met Eireann, which showed
that our climate will continue to warm with possible increases
of 3 - 4°Celsius towards the end of the century.
“Ireland is playing its part - at national level and within
the EU - but also in supporting international efforts to find
consensus on a comprehensive global response to climate change”
- the Minister said.
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