“If we want heat waves not to endanger the health of the most vulnerable, we will have to undertake a complete overhaul of the organization of work and habits in a large number of countries,” says Liberation
The alarm bell in terms of its effects climate change in the countries of the Mediterranean basin, especially with regard to the tourism sector, the French newspaper Liberation hits in its extensive related article.
On the occasion of the heat waves prevailing in more or less all the Mediterranean countries the French newspaper underlines the need to quickly adapt to the continued rise in temperature.
“If we want heat waves not to endanger the health of the most vulnerable, we will have to carry out a complete review of the organization of work and habits in a large number of countries,” says Liberation
“At Mediterraneanthe top tourist destination in the world, where the holidays are in full swing, every day seems to be hotter than the last, it is highlighted, while it is pointed out that in countries like Greece, where the thermometer exceeds the 40°Cthe air becomes suffocating and the exit exhausting, even dangerous,” the publication states.
As a result of increasing global warming, “the Mediterranean is likely to become less attractive for tourism,” international experts warned, according to the French newspaper. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in their latest report.
“Apart from the cultural aspect, the area is popular for its comfortable temperatures. More than half of all tourism is concentrated on the coasts: it’s all about the beaches, the sun and the sea. But these regions are at the forefront of climate change, with temperature peaks predictable only a few weeks or even days in advance.
This can negatively affect the quality of services offered to travelers,” Jeremy Foss, director of Eco-Union, a think-tank and action center on sustainable development and author of a recent report on the subject, explains to the French newspaper.
For his part, climatologist Wolfgang Kramer, author of a report on climate change in the Mediterranean, adds that “in cities such as Athens and Rome, ozone pollution worsens during periods of high temperature and that the Mediterranean Sea undergoes a process “tropicing” and “gelling” as the temperature of the water rises.”
“There are questions about the ability of tourism in its current form to survive the heat,” Kramer said, noting that the reduction in rainfall in the Mediterranean region is likely to make it difficult to access water in tourist areas during the summer.
At the moment, it is highlighted in the tribute of the French newspaper, the most popular tourist destinations they have not adapted to climate change, and prevention of health risks associated with increased heatwaves is still in its infancy.
“We are at a turning point. Barcelona, ​​which has an adaptation plan, is one of the most advanced cities. In hot weather, there are thermal shelters for visitors: all public spaces and schools are open with water points, shade, rest areas, possibly air conditioning and vegetation,” explains Jeremy Foss.
Among the solutions proposed by scientists in the face of these new conditions is – according to the French newspaper – the adaptation of travel periods and destinations to the heat waves. “Tourists will prefer to go to other areas rather than suffer on the Mediterranean coast.
In July and August, their preferences will change and they will go to the Atlantic coast, where the climate will be Mediterranean in twenty or thirty years, or to the mountains,” it says. As for the Mediterranean basin, it could be more popular and more accessible in spring and autumn, concludes the Liberation article.
Source: Skai
I have worked as a journalist for over 10 years, and my work has been featured on many different news websites. I am also an author, and my work has been published in several books. I specialize in opinion writing, and I often write about current events and controversial topics. I am a very well-rounded writer, and I have a lot of experience in different areas of journalism. I am a very hard worker, and I am always willing to put in the extra effort to get the job done.