Human-induced climate change is causing dangerous and widespread disruption to nature. Due to anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases, and according to model projections, the climate in the Mediterranean basin is changing faster than global trends.

The scenario indicates that on land and in the Mediterranean Sea, heat waves will intensify in duration and in terms of maximum temperatures, summer precipitation will be reduced by 10-30% in some regions and the occurrence of torrential rains will increase in frequency and intensity.

The causes are multiple: climate, population growth, pollution, unsustainable land and sea use practices and non-native species affect Mediterranean ecosystems and human livelihoods.

Adapting to inevitable changes involves mitigating the drivers of those changes and increasing resilience. There are a myriad of climate change reduction measures (housing, infrastructure, agricultural and industrial practices), but we cannot forget to include improving community awareness and incorporating early warning systems.

In Barcelona and Catalonia, we are experiencing episodes of environmental emergencies (heat waves, fires, heavy rains affecting mountains) that require the active participation of society to help prevent accidents and loss of human life. Technological systems allow the population to be warned, and the media deliver instructions from the authorities to deal with emergency situations. Restrictions on outdoor activities to prevent fires, not doing sports during the middle of the day, drinking water frequently, not travelling during storms and a long list of etceteras are part of the things we can do to avoid accidents.

We live in an area of the Earth where the effects of global warming are being felt sharply and violent natural phenomena are becoming more frequent. We must act with the utmost caution and a sense of individual responsibility to keep all of us safe.

More information.