With the prospect of an unprecedented El Niño event over the coming months, the UN is warning of widespread disruption to global weather patterns, increased drought and flooding.
Hurricanes in the North Atlantic have largely disappeared this year, leaving bitterly disappointed scientists without fuel for their climate alarm and having to admit the role of natural variation, says Chris Morrison.
Enough renewable electricity to power almost half a million Irish homes was lost during the first nine months of this year because of limitations on the electricity system.