"Oh! Mary Frances, you look like the Ice Man. Don't try to remove your hat or scarf until you have thawed out!"

I stumbled into the warm living room. Staring back at me in the big wall mirror was an alien creature. A head and face covered in frost, with tiny icicles hanging from its snowy hat and under its nose.

Since the 1970's New York's climate is changing. Most of the state has warmed an average 2.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Heavy rainstorms are more frequent and the sea is rising about one inch (2.54cm) every decade. Higher water levels are eroding beaches, submerging lowlands and exacerbating coastal flooding.

Here in Ireland, the most evident effects of climate change can clearly be seen in the increased temperature. Temperatures have risen by 0.7 degrees Celsius between 1890 and 2008 and, most significantly, by 0.4 degrees Celsius between 1980 and 2008. These temperature increases have affected the growing season in farming. We have had more frequent storms which has caused extensive flooding in our coastal cities and farmlands. As an island nation we are especially vulnerable to rising sea levels.

We must all do our bit as individuals and nations to prevent further damage and protect our beautiful planet for future generations.

Based on true event in January 1977.