A frightening new study has revealed that over 23,000 Dublin properties are at risk of severe damage or disappearing completely due to climate change.
The worrying report from Gamma Location Intelligence shows 23,435 properties - 21,513 residential and 1,922 commercial - are at risk of severe flooding by 2050.
The findings are based on a predicted global temperature increase of 2C which climate scientists expect to happen in the next 30 years in some scenarios.
This increase would cause sea levels to rise by up to 1.75m above historic storm surge levels and bring about more extreme weather events, leading to higher and more frequent coastal flooding.
Richard Cantwell, Senior Spatial Data Scientist, Gamma Location Intelligence, said: "Global warming is already having an impact on our daily lives but the effects of it will become more tangible and extreme in the years to come.
"With increasing global temperatures, sea levels are rising which means flooding will become more commonplace.
"This will have a major impact on many Irish counties, particularly along the coast, and a significant number of properties are set to be affected – unless carbon dioxide emissions are reduced which will help to delay the process."
The extremely concerning map shows that Bull Island could be completely submerged in 30 years' time.
Other well-populated areas including Portmarnock, Baldoyle and Sutton will be severely affected by the rising sea levels.
Further south, the Docklands area, Ringsend and Irishtown could be unrecognisable by 2050 due to the rising tides.
Mr Cantwell said that while the COVID-19 crisis has seen a drop in global emissions, it "remains to be seen" if the decrease continues once lockdown measures are eased.
He added: "Flood risk is one that will increase exponentially, so it’s vital that the necessary infrastructure is in place to cater for the changing Irish landscape."
It is estimated that the cost of climate change, influenced by sea level rise, on property in Ireland will be around €2 billion.
It is estimated that coastal flooding could have an impact on over 70,000 properties across the country.
The study found that Louth will be second most affected, with 10,280 residential and 968 commercial properties predicted to be impacted.
This is followed by Clare with 7,376 homes and 1,320 businesses at risk.
Limerick (5,426) and Galway (4,501) rounded out the top five areas expected to be most impacted by increased flood risk as a result of climate change.
