Scientists and experts came together to reflect on different climate impacts that threaten such specific territories as the Canary and Balearic Islands at the webinar organised by SOCLIMPACT on 21st July.
Researchers from University of the Balearic Islands, Oceanography and Global Change Institute (ULPGC), Aemet, and Ecoaqua University Institute (ULPGC) took part in the session.
Gabriel Jordá from the University of the Balearic Islands highlighted the extreme temperatures and water deficit that the Balearic Islands will experience in the medium term, which will imply various impacts on ecosystems, coastal environments, fishing and energy resources. Javier Aristegui from the Oceanography and Global Change Institute (ULPGC) looked in-depth about the importance of the resources offered by the ocean and how the emissions are impacting it. He also took advantage to highlight adaptation and mitigation actions to be carried out. Alonso Hernández from the Oceanography and Global Change Institute (ULPGC) spoke about the case of the Las Canteras beach located in Gran Canaria. Alonso explained that the expected increase in temperature and sea-level rise would trigger the total beach surface to disappear even in a low emission scenario.
Bernat Amengual, from Aemet, presented the meteorological events of most significant impact on the Balearic Islands in recent decades, which demonstrate the climatic tendency that places us in complicated situations to deal with. Santiago Hernández from the Oceanography and Global Change Institute (ULPGC) presented an analysis of the relationship between climate and marine species and habitats in the Canary Islands. Santiago assures that Global Warming is expanding the oceanic deserts and also produces loss of intensity and duration of productive events, effects on biodiversity and fisheries. Finally, Fernando Tuya from the Ecoaqua University Institute (ULPGC) explained how marine ecosystems could be impacted. He also presented case studies of how the construction of coastal facilities has affected barley fields and seagrasses, a critical habitat for our coasts
The session ended with a debate on the adaptation and mitigation actions that can be carried out in these exceptional territories.
The video recorded of the entire webinar is available at the following https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOCBf3bj_n8&list=PLeko4EATFNh-LGJu79Hz4aTXhu394H4ev&index=4