CYPRUS CAN expect less water and more droughts in the future, according to the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Environment Commissioner Charalambos Theopemptou said the IPCC’s Technical Paper on Climate Change and Water only confirmed what had been known for some time now about the effects of climate change on the southern Mediterranean.
“Unfortunately, as was expected, the news is not at all good for our region,” said Theopemptou.
The IPCC report prepared by scientists forecasts that rainfall in the Mediterranean will drop by 20 per cent in the next 70 years, while the danger of drought will rise. Theopemptou highlighted that other forecasts predict a 40 per cent drop for the same period. The area has already experienced a drop in rainfall between 1950 and 2000.
Ground humidity which has a direct connection to rainfall and vegetation will also be reduced, having serious consequences for natural pastures.
The report concludes that groundwater recharges in the southern rim of the Mediterranean will reduce by 70 per cent by 2050, while sea levels are expected to rise, causing salinity levels in groundwater to increase. The combination of developments will make good quality drinking water hard to find in the region.
Theopemptou noted that the consecutive days without rainfall will increase while the days with rainfall will be more concentrated.
The Mediterranean’s water basin will see a serious reduction, affecting salinity levels and the more fertile areas of the coastline. The region’s agricultural production will be in constant danger and can no longer be guaranteed. Forests will also suffer from dryness and the increased risks of forest fires.
Some forecasts predict more heat waves and less summer rainfall by the end of the 21st century.
Proposals to tackle the problems were put forward by the IPCC, including the need for comprehensive water savings in residential, industrial and agricultural water use.
Other proposals include: reducing leakages in water pipes and irrigation systems; charging more for water supply; changing agricultural production to match the climate changes taking place in each area; and, use of desalinated water and the water from sewage treatment plants. The report notes that the latter two solutions raise energy and health problems respectively.
“The problems of climate change have been known for some time now but this technical paper on water has particular significance for our country,” said Theopemptou.
The Agriculture Ministry’s Environment Service is currently preparing a report on how to tackle the increasing desertification of Cyprus. Theopemptou has also called on the Finance Ministry to prepare a study on the economic consequences of climate change.
“The issue is very serious and we need all the information we can get to make the right planning,” said the Commissioner.
Meanwhile, Theopemptou is calling on new house-builders to take into account the environmental provisions he prepared on the installation of photovoltaics and solar water heater systems.
The provisions allow for the easy installation of the above which will increase a household’s ability to use renewable energy sources.
“Even if they don’t want to install them now, which is very foolish, by implementing these provisions, it will help them a lot in the future,” said Theopemptou.
The Environment Commissioner recommended that everyone building a new house demand that their builder or architect take account of the provisions, a copy of which have been handed to all municipalities and town planning offices and the Technical Chamber (ETEK).
