Global climate change and Cyprus
Global climate change and Cyprus
Takis Neophytou, Cyprus Red Cross Society, Montenegro, 16-17 May 2009
Today’s climatic situation in the world
Earth’s climate is continually changing to the worse Climate change consist an international problem No similar problem was ever faced by the world in recent history It is very complicated as it involves interaction of several factors Prospects for the future are not favourable It will affect all future generations Immediate emergency measures are needed
Climate Change – Causes
Causes could be natural such as: – volcanoes and – changes in the solar radiation reaching earth However, most scientists agree that what we are currently experiencing is due to the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which is the result of human behaviour
The greenhouse effect Without the greenhouse effect, the temperature of the planet would be - 18°C
Today it is +15
Climate change: Areas with the worst impact
The severity of the impact of climate change varies by region The most vulnerable regions are Africa, Asia, Southern Europe, especially the Eastern Mediterranean Basin and the Arctic zone Unfortunately countries which have contributed less in causing the problem, will be the ones affected most by it
Extreme weather events taking place more often
Climate change: Sectors affected Climate change will gradually impact a number of sectors:
Agriculture: Will increase the risk of crop failure Water resources: Problems with quality and availability Health: Human, animal and plant health. Will increase the spread of serious infections Infrastructure: Buildings, transport, energy, especially in densely populated areas Ecosystems: Coastal erosion, marine ecosystems etc Industry, tourism, forests, society and life in general: will be gradually seriously affected
CYPRUS Situated in one of the most vulnerable areas
CYPRUS CLIMATE: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Homer called Cyprus “ Dasoessa”= Forest covered island Since then, several reasons, led to the gradual destruction of the forests and the consequent change of climate: 1. Agriculture
6. Forest fires
2. Discovery of copper
7. Animal grazing
3. Ship building
8. Land development
4. Periods of drought
9. Human behaviour
5. Lumbering
10. Climate change
The situation in Cyprus today
Cyprus is currently suffering one of the most extreme and exceptional climatic changes with very severe socio-economic and environmental impacts While all sectors of development and life are gradually affected, impact is evident and worse in Agriculture, Forests, Energy, Tourism, the worse being in WATER RESOURCES 2007 winter was the second driest since 1901
WATER RESOURCES IN CYPRUS PRIMARY WATER SOURCES Till 1960 Groundwater Till 1995 Surface Water
SECONDARY SOURCES (1995-today) 1. Desalination: Dhekelia Plant Larnaca Airport Plant
(31 MCM/year)
2. Recycled sewage water (Tertiary Level of Treatment) 3. Other sources: (Importation of water from Greece. 8 MCM in 6 months)
Rainfall in Cyprus
Mostly on mountains During Nov - March 2.670 MCM p/year 8% less than 1970 Only 370 MCM used Supply < Demand
Current water situation is NOT Sustainable
Measures to address efficiently the water scarcity
Efforts started as soon as Cyprus became an independent country in 1960 They included: Legislative measures Establishment of a Directorate for Water Management A strategic plan for short and long term actions:
Construction of dams Drilling boreholes Construction of water treatment plants
Locations of dams in Cyprus
Water crisis management measures (1)
Construction of efficient conveyance and distribution systems Replacement and improvement of domestic water supply networks
Leakage detection methods are applied
Promotion of irrigation scheduling
Higher consumption rates for quantities exceeding the maximum allowable Water rationing during periods of drought Cont/ed
Water crisis management measures (2)
Public awareness campaigns to promote a watersaving behavior Subsidization of the drilling of private boreholes in residential areas for garden irrigation Law, banning the use of hosepipes for the washing of cars or pavements Reuse of treated waste water Helping farmers to adapt their production to the changing climate situation and change to less water demanding cultivations Toilet water saving devices in public buildings, etc.
Additional emergency measures
Water scarcity remains, despite efforts made In order to relieve the current crisis, the following additional emergency measures have been taken:
Operation of additional desalination plants despite their environmental and financial costs Expansion of the existing desalination plants Installation of mobile desalination plants
Experience has shown that desalination remains the only mean of achieving water security and independence
Water transfer (with tankers from Greece) Use of new boreholes and purchase of water from private boreholes
Challenges!
The challenge for policy-makers is to understand these climate change impacts and to develop and implement policies and promote strategies which will increase the resilience to climate change and ensure an optimal level of adaptation The challenge for people is to realize the seriousness and urgency of the problem, become more sensitive in environmental issues, change attitudes and contribute collectively in improving the situation The challenge of the RC/RC Movement is to use its international network in order to contribute substantially in mitigating the destroying consequences of climate change
Cyprus Red Cross Society: Climate change activities
Tree planting campaigns Participation in Government’s public awareness efforts Activities promoting acquisition of water saving behaviour Activities promoting energy saving Organisation and participation in relevant events in Cyprus Participation in events abroad Relevant announcements, articles, leaflets, posters etc
Thank you for your attention!
Takis Neophytou, Director Cyprus Red Cross Society E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.redcross.org.cy
Takis Neophytou, Cyprus Red Cross Society, Montenegro, 16-17 May 2009
Today’s climatic situation in the world
Earth’s climate is continually changing to the worse Climate change consist an international problem No similar problem was ever faced by the world in recent history It is very complicated as it involves interaction of several factors Prospects for the future are not favourable It will affect all future generations Immediate emergency measures are needed
Climate Change – Causes
Causes could be natural such as: – volcanoes and – changes in the solar radiation reaching earth However, most scientists agree that what we are currently experiencing is due to the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which is the result of human behaviour
The greenhouse effect Without the greenhouse effect, the temperature of the planet would be - 18°C
Today it is +15
Climate change: Areas with the worst impact
The severity of the impact of climate change varies by region The most vulnerable regions are Africa, Asia, Southern Europe, especially the Eastern Mediterranean Basin and the Arctic zone Unfortunately countries which have contributed less in causing the problem, will be the ones affected most by it
Extreme weather events taking place more often
Climate change: Sectors affected Climate change will gradually impact a number of sectors:
Agriculture: Will increase the risk of crop failure Water resources: Problems with quality and availability Health: Human, animal and plant health. Will increase the spread of serious infections Infrastructure: Buildings, transport, energy, especially in densely populated areas Ecosystems: Coastal erosion, marine ecosystems etc Industry, tourism, forests, society and life in general: will be gradually seriously affected
CYPRUS Situated in one of the most vulnerable areas
CYPRUS CLIMATE: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Homer called Cyprus “ Dasoessa”= Forest covered island Since then, several reasons, led to the gradual destruction of the forests and the consequent change of climate: 1. Agriculture
6. Forest fires
2. Discovery of copper
7. Animal grazing
3. Ship building
8. Land development
4. Periods of drought
9. Human behaviour
5. Lumbering
10. Climate change
The situation in Cyprus today
Cyprus is currently suffering one of the most extreme and exceptional climatic changes with very severe socio-economic and environmental impacts While all sectors of development and life are gradually affected, impact is evident and worse in Agriculture, Forests, Energy, Tourism, the worse being in WATER RESOURCES 2007 winter was the second driest since 1901
WATER RESOURCES IN CYPRUS PRIMARY WATER SOURCES Till 1960 Groundwater Till 1995 Surface Water
SECONDARY SOURCES (1995-today) 1. Desalination: Dhekelia Plant Larnaca Airport Plant
(31 MCM/year)
2. Recycled sewage water (Tertiary Level of Treatment) 3. Other sources: (Importation of water from Greece. 8 MCM in 6 months)
Rainfall in Cyprus
Mostly on mountains During Nov - March 2.670 MCM p/year 8% less than 1970 Only 370 MCM used Supply < Demand
Current water situation is NOT Sustainable
Measures to address efficiently the water scarcity
Efforts started as soon as Cyprus became an independent country in 1960 They included: Legislative measures Establishment of a Directorate for Water Management A strategic plan for short and long term actions:
Construction of dams Drilling boreholes Construction of water treatment plants
Locations of dams in Cyprus
Water crisis management measures (1)
Construction of efficient conveyance and distribution systems Replacement and improvement of domestic water supply networks
Leakage detection methods are applied
Promotion of irrigation scheduling
Higher consumption rates for quantities exceeding the maximum allowable Water rationing during periods of drought Cont/ed
Water crisis management measures (2)
Public awareness campaigns to promote a watersaving behavior Subsidization of the drilling of private boreholes in residential areas for garden irrigation Law, banning the use of hosepipes for the washing of cars or pavements Reuse of treated waste water Helping farmers to adapt their production to the changing climate situation and change to less water demanding cultivations Toilet water saving devices in public buildings, etc.
Additional emergency measures
Water scarcity remains, despite efforts made In order to relieve the current crisis, the following additional emergency measures have been taken:
Operation of additional desalination plants despite their environmental and financial costs Expansion of the existing desalination plants Installation of mobile desalination plants
Experience has shown that desalination remains the only mean of achieving water security and independence
Water transfer (with tankers from Greece) Use of new boreholes and purchase of water from private boreholes
Challenges!
The challenge for policy-makers is to understand these climate change impacts and to develop and implement policies and promote strategies which will increase the resilience to climate change and ensure an optimal level of adaptation The challenge for people is to realize the seriousness and urgency of the problem, become more sensitive in environmental issues, change attitudes and contribute collectively in improving the situation The challenge of the RC/RC Movement is to use its international network in order to contribute substantially in mitigating the destroying consequences of climate change
Cyprus Red Cross Society: Climate change activities
Tree planting campaigns Participation in Government’s public awareness efforts Activities promoting acquisition of water saving behaviour Activities promoting energy saving Organisation and participation in relevant events in Cyprus Participation in events abroad Relevant announcements, articles, leaflets, posters etc
Thank you for your attention!
Takis Neophytou, Director Cyprus Red Cross Society E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.redcross.org.cy
