Between 2020 and 2050 Cyprus will face conditions of drought, extreme rainfall and more days with temperatures rising over 35⁰C.
These are the findings of the research conducted so far in the framework of the European programme BeWater, according to a Cyprus Institute press release, on Wednesday.
Cyprus Institute researcher Adriana Bruggeman explains that the European research programme BeWater follows an innovative dialogue and cooperation process between the scientific community and society and takes place in Mediterranean basins, in Spain, Slovenia, Tunisia and Cyprus.
Environmentalists, local authorities, farmers and public officials specialising in water, agriculture, environment and town planning took part in the first workshop and made specific recommendations to help Cyprus adjust to climate change, the press release says.
In particular participants propose a more equitable distribution of water, better implementation of the relevant environmental legislation, organising awareness campaigns and cleaning river beds and parks situated along the rivers.
Climate change has made water management even more crucial for Cyprus and the wider Mediterranean region, they point out.
The project continues with expert interviews and meetings with relevant authorities in September, the press release says, adding that expanding this collaborative process will be also looked into during the public consultation stage.
A second workshop is scheduled to take place in June 2015 to jointly review the recommendations and plans for climate change adaptation, the press release concludes.
