b'Executive SummaryClimate Change and Adaptation Assessing Current Adaptation Baseline -Background Vulnerabilities, sensitivities and risksThe Earths climate is changing with global The impacts of climate change experienced intemperatures rising at a rate far greater than County Kildare generally reflect the national pattern experienced in recent history. Changes in weather and trends of observed climate hazards.A review of patterns have been observed around the world extreme weather events over the past 35 years was including changes in the frequency and intensity ofundertaken using published Met ireann data along extreme weather events. Irelands climate is changingwith information from Kildare County Council. This in line with global trends with temperatures expectedassessment of climatic hazards identified four main to rise even further intensifying the changes alreadyclimatic categories including:experienced at a local level. This in turn will haveimpacts on an environmental, economical and Wind storms.societal level. Extreme heat/drought events. Extreme rainfall events. Climate change is now accepted as a global challengeFreezing conditions/snow events. and requires policy responses in both:Combination events i.e. two extreme climatic events Mitigation to considerably reduce greenhouseoccurring simultaneously are also noted. Suchgas emissions. combinations give rise to more severe and destructive Adaptation to ensure communities, and society as impacts.a whole, become resilient to the impacts and risks of climate change.Future risks to projected climates changesPurpose of this strategy Climate change projections indicate that:Warming in Kildare will continue especially in the As the level of government closest to local summer and winter.communities and enterprise and as first responders inThe County will experience more extreme weather many emergencies, Kildare County Council is uniquelyconditions including rainfall events and storms.placed to be a leader in achieving the national There will be an increased likelihood of fluvial objective of becoming a more climate resilient societyflooding.and economy by 2050 with the capability to tackle theWinters will be wetter and summers will be drier many challenges that climate change can present. (which could lead to water shortages).These climate changes will impact the type, This Local Authority Adaptation Strategy takes on thedistribution and lifecycles of species.role as the primary instrument at local level to: These projections signal significant challenges for the Ensure a proper comprehension of the key risksCouncil and the people of the County. Climate Change and vulnerabilities of climate change is grasped.will have further effect on land use includingBring forward the implementation of climateagriculture, forestry and peatlands, on biodiversity, resilient adaptation actions in a planned andon water resources, human health, the economy and proactive manner. society. Ensure that climate adaptation considerations are mainstreamed into all plans and policies andintegrated into all operations and functions of the local authority. 5'