The Mediterranean, a Hotspot for Climate Change? Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention convene in Marrakesh to agree on urgent adaptation measures

By the end of this century, the whole Mediterranean region will be vulnerable to water stress and suffer significantly from climate change impacts. Some research indicates the Mediterranean as one of the climate change “hotspots” in the century to come.

These sobering data were presented at the opening of the Ministerial Session of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (UNEP/MAP), held in Marrakech, Morocco on 3-5 November.

The main impacts of climate change on seas can be witnessed in rising temperatures; acidification (changes in the chemical balance of the waters due to absorption of CO2); changing currents; impacts on marine fauna and flora; and rising sea-levels.

In the Mediterranean in particular, effects are to be sought in terms of increasingly strained water context, biodiversity and ecosystems impacts and the economic activities which depend thereon, agriculture, fisheries and tourism in particular.

Sea level rise impacts on ports and other coastal infrastructures, as well as coastal and beach erosion, are also a serious concern. Formidable threats are passed to the Nile Delta, to cities like Venice and to some islands, even in case of minimal changes in sea levels.

“The measures adopted in response to climate change have to be such as to promote sustainable development and achieve the Millenium Development Goals, and the objectives of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development”, said President of the Contracting Parties, H.E Mr Abdelkabir Zahoud, State Secretary of the Moroccan Ministry for Energy, Mining, Water and Environment.

“Countries must shift their economies to low-emissions paths, and build climate-resilient societies. Actions on climate change can be consistent with developing countries priorities for poverty eradication and sustainable development, as outlined in the Marrakesh Declaration that will be issued at the closing of this conference”.