We m ust prepare better to com bat nature’s fury

THE experience of the past few days has exposed our strengths and weaknesses in the face of the elements. Climate experts have warned repeatedly that we can no longer look at extreme weather events as extraordinary. Nature has emphasised the point in the past six months by unleashing the full forces of Ophelia and Emma on our heads.

On the plus side has been the pulling together of communities to help each other. All around the country local authorities have praised locals for coming out to clear snows and help the emergency services.

But if freak weather is no longer a rarity, how long can we get by without protecting ourselves and equipping ourselves better in order to cope? The Government had clearly no choice but to tell people to stay inside. But do our airports and transport systems have to come to a standstill every time we experience hazardous conditions?

The realities of climate change are now on our doorstep, and we may need to review how we cope or what we need to do in order to cope better. Our water supplies have been greatly curtailed. The infrastructure needs updating, but it was not politically expedient to address the issue.

Our hospitals are under such pressure that the Health Minister has appealed to people to stay away unless there is an emergency. The Garda and Army were exceptional, given they hardly had the vehicles or equipment to deal with demands.

But nature will not be bested. Climate change is here to stay and we had better wake up to its realities or deal with the consequences.