It is estimated that by 2100, due to global warming, much of Italy’s coastline could be submerged by rising sea levels. Potentially by more than 1 meter.
One of the most alarming effects of global warming is the rising of sea levels, caused in part by the thermal expansion of seawater.
Of course this rise leads to increased coastal erosion and the likelihood of flooding becomes even more concrete.
According to studies by ENEA (Italy’s National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development), the Mediterranean Sea could rise by up to one meter by 2100, with a peak of up to 1.4 meters in the Upper Adriatic.
To make it simple: an area the size of Liguria could be entirely swallowed by the sea, permanently erasing many of our beaches and ports.
Flooding risks affect every Italian coastal area, about 40 coastal regions from north to south could disappear by 2100.
Climate change is already impacting our seas
This is a fact we can no longer ignore. Based on the data and studies collected so far, we know that:
- There’s an increase in heatwaves and extreme temperatures;
- Periods of drought are now more frequent and far more intense;
- Sea level has already risen and will continue to do so in the coming years, even in the unlikely event that we completely eliminate emissions;
- Sea acidification is worsening, causing serious consequences for marine life
The Mediterranean region has a high population density along its coastlines. The problem of the rising seas could also lead to a humanitarian disaster, potentially displacing entire communities.
As a result, tourism is also expected to change dramatically, as these are the very areas that have drawn crowds for years thanks to their favorable climate and wide beaches.
If the beaches continue to disappear beneath the waves, many people will no longer have a reason to vacation in these places and this could be a serious threat to the tourism industry.
Rainfall and drought
The Mediterranean is one of the fastest-warming seas on the planet, and this rapid temperature increase is making the surrounding regions increasingly arid.
The ecosystem is already feeling the effects and the consequences will extend to human populations and economic activities.
Agriculture, in particular, will suffer the greatest blow. Due to the lack of rainfall, which is already becoming a serious matter, crops will fail, and the soil will become irreversibly dry and unproductive.
Melting glaciers
Sea and ocean levels will continue to rise – primarily – due to the melting of glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica.
Under these perspectives, Venice is likely to be the first city completely submerged and no Moses will be able to stop it.
But this disaster won’t only affect the Italian coastline. Other major cities under threat include Amsterdam, Hamburg, Saint Petersburg, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Lower Manhattan, and many more.
In fact, if all the ice on Earth were to melt, sea levels would rise by more than 60 meters. This is not a scenario we can rule out, especially given the widespread and accelerating effects of climate change around the world.
It’s only a matter of time. That’s why it is urgent to halt all greenhouse gas emissions and stop burning fossil fuels immediately.
Ocean acidification
When CO₂ emissions dissolve into seawater they produce carbonic acid. This process is very similar to the one to make sparkling water. This alters the chemical composition of the ocean, with severe consequences for all marine flora and fauna.
The natural pH of the oceans is 8.2 on a scale from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (not acidic at all). Experts believe it would be difficult for the pH to fall below 7, but with the rapid pace of climate change, no scenario can be completely ruled out.
The acidification of our oceans isn’t caused by CO₂ emissions alone. Human activity today produces much more carbon dioxide than ever before.
According to global estimates, the oceans, which are the planet’s largest carbon sink, have already absorbed around 40% of all CO₂ emissions released by humans since the Industrial Revolution.
The consequences on fish and shellfish populations
Marine ecosystem will bear the consequences of the irreversible transformation of our seas. Coral reefs, for example, already critically endangered due to widespread bleaching, face certain extinction as ocean acidification progresses.
All the delicate balances within marine ecosystems will be severely disrupted, including mollusk colonies found across the globe
Additionally, there will be a reduction in carbonate ion levels, essential compounds needed for the proper formation of the calcareous skeletons and shells of many marine organisms, such as shellfish.
Calcium carbonate shells in mussels, corals, and oysters will struggle to form, as the drop in pH makes them weaker and more fragile. Even the photosynthesis processes of marine plants will be seriously affected.
The problem isn’t limited to acidification, but to salinity too. For example, rising temperatures in the Baltic Sea could lead to a decrease in salinity, affecting the habitat of several marine species, including mollusks.
The Mediterranean Sea, due to high temperatures and prolonged drought, will likely see an increase in salinity driven by higher evaporation and reduced rainfall.
The outlook for marine ecosystems, therefore, is far from promising. Over time, these changes could lead to the extinction of numerous marine species. The seafood market could even face a future without mollusks and crustaceans of many kinds.
Clearly, as mentioned in earlier sections, this represents not only an environmental crisis but an economic one as well.
What can we do to prevent environmental catastrophe
Climate change is increasing water vapor levels in the atmosphere, making freshwater availability ever more scarce.
Many countries around the world are already facing extreme droughts alternating with unpredictable flooding. At this pace, these phenomena are only expected to intensify.
That’s why it is absolutely essential to take action and make changes, before it’s too late. Or at the very least, to save what can still be saved.
In this regard, European policies are working to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Each of us, in our own small way, can contribute to the effort to prevent severe outcomes like widespread drought.
According to experts, the most effective solution remains acknowledging the long-term consequences of our past mistakes and preparing in advance for the new realities we’re facing.
Many innovative strategies have already been tested across Europe to help communities adapt to the new environments they may soon inhabit. Still, taking personal responsibility for the choices we make today, for the future of our planet and ourselves , is a moral duty we all share.
