THE media is currently reporting drought all over Europe and predicting food shortages in the coming months.

But they don’t point out that our actions have increased the likelihood of heatwaves like this enormously.

As the glaciers melt and parts of the frozen tundra start to reforest, feedback loops will increase the effects of greenhouse gases which we are still producing.

To limit average temperature increase to two degrees centigrade, we need to reduce our carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030, and yet currently our emissions are increasing every year.

We cannot undo the damage already done, but we can prevent even worse damage if we act now and urgently.

We can cut our cost of living and help the planet by thinking before we use gas, electricity and petrol.

If we all act now, we can make a difference.

Anne Walsh via e-mail