Climate crisis on the Mediterranean: vacationers in danger through extreme changes!

Climate crisis on the Mediterranean: vacationers in danger through extreme changes!

Mittelmeer, Italien - The Mediterranean is very popular as a summer vacation goal, but it is increasingly under pressure from the climate crisis. Scientists warn of the serious consequences of increasing temperatures and ecological stress for the region. Professor Christian Wild from the University of Bremen emphasizes that the water temperatures in winter no longer drop below ten degrees, which strongly influences the life of plants and animals. Especially species that rely on reproduction on cold periods are affected.

The changes in the ecosystem cannot be overlooked. Schnorkler and divers report a decline in the sea grass meadows and horn coral forests, while algae carpets spread. This worrying development is supported by extreme heat periods and increased rainfalls that also burden the region. Several factors contribute to the deterioration of the Situation: increasing salt content due to faster evaporation, lack of oxygen and an increase in jellyfish, including painful species such as fire jellyfish.

ecological and economic effects

The excessive increase in jellyfish, which has been observed in the southern waters of the Mediterranean since around 2003, leads to serious ecological and economic changes. The beaches give the beaches a little attractive picture and are problematic for fishing because they clog networks and damage fishing devices. This means that crews spend more time with removing jellyfish instead of catching fish. Tourism also suffers economically when beaches are less attractive to visitors due to high jellyfish populations. Quanto more jellyfish there are, the less natural enemies they have because overfishing disturbed the balance of the marine ecosystem. This could lead to jellyfish becoming the dominant species in the Mediterranean.

In addition, the reports of the World Climate District IPCC from 2022 show an alarming warming of the Mediterranean since around 1980. The air could warm up 20 to 50 percent faster than the global average. Even without further action, a temperature increase of 2 to 3.5 degrees can be expected by the end of the 21st century. If the high CO₂ emissions continued, heating could even increase over 5 degrees, which results in more intense and more common droughts and significant effects on the living conditions in the Mediterranean area.

urgent need for action

The forecasts show that the risks of human health, ecosystems and the economy will continue to increase through climate change. The regions around the Mediterranean are already affected by regular bush and forest fires. Vacationers are encouraged to take local warnings and weather instructions seriously to protect themselves and their health.

In order to obtain the coastal landscapes and the biodiversity of the Mediterranean, an urgent need for action is required. This includes measures to reduce overfishing, wastewater pollution and the reforestation of seagrass meadows. This is the only way to ensure the continued existence of this valuable region and the holiday joys are preserved.

For travel to the Mediterranean, it is therefore crucial to understand the ecological changes and act early in order to preserve the beauty and diversity of this destination for future generations. Let's protect the Mediterranean before it is too late.