EPA Lecture – ‘Ocean Circulation, Tipping Points & Public Climate Debate’.

The EPA, in partnership with Dublin City Council, is delighted to welcome Professor Stefan Rahmstorf, Co-Head of the Research Department on Earth System Analysis of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Professor of Physics of the Oceans, at the University of Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany.

The public lecture will take place on Wednesday next, April 19th at 7:00pm, in the Round Room in the Mansion House, Dublin and will also be streamed online. This lecture forms part of the National Dialogue on Climate Action.

Professor Rahmstorf is internationally renowned for his work linking climate change to significant slowdown in the Gulf Stream System. He will discuss how continued melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet in the coming decades could contribute to further weakening of the Gulf Stream, with important consequences for the ocean ecosystem, the weather in the North Atlantic region, regional sea levels and the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. He will explore how close we already are to the Gulf Stream tipping point.

Professor Rahmstorf will also comment on his recent examination of fossil fuel companies’ awareness of the seriousness of climate change over 40 years ago, and the difference between their public statements and internal knowledge.
Ms Laura Burke, Director General EPA said, “We are delighted to welcome Professor Rahmstorf to speak on the topic of climate change impacts on the Gulf Stream and how information on climate change is shaped. As an island nation on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Ireland is especially exposed to climate-driven changes in the North Atlantic.”
Ms Burke added, “Understanding the evolution of climate change and the ocean is essential if we are to understand our future. This knowledge can help inform policy to manage our responses and adapt to the future climate conditions.”

This free event requires registration through the following link HERE. The event will also be recorded and uploaded to the EPA YouTube channel.

For further information contact: Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office, Telephone 053-9170770 (24 hours) or media@epa.ie.