Malta is expected to be severely hit by future climate change, with higher temperatures – particularly during the already hot summer months – less rain and more drought.
Summer temperatures could rise by 2.5°C between 2020 and 2050, while rainfall, already scarce compared to continental Europe, is forecast to decrease by at least 15 per cent.
The dire forecasts emerge from a study published yesterday by the European Environment Agency.
However, agency experts say cutting emissions – for example by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy technologies – could slow the pace of climate change. The EU scientists also said: “This outcome is not certain as it is based on scenarios.”
The study indicates that the Mediterranean basin and Scandinavia will be the worst hit by climate change if current trends continue.
“Since Malta is in the centre of the Mediterranean, the county is in for a big impact if our climate change scenarios materialise,” an EEA official told The Times.
Apart from unbearable heat during the summer, which creates higher demand for air conditioning and other climate control systems, these projections will also mean greater stress on water resources and less fertile agricultural ground.
In general, the study predicts that Europe will be an average 1.5°C warmer in the period 2021-2050 than in 1960-1990. The highest warming is projected over eastern Scandinavia and southern and southeastern Europe.
It is predicted that the entire continent will warm by at least 0.4°C and a maximum of 2.5°C.
While a few degrees’ increase may not seem significant, the study states that these are only average annual temperatures, potentially maskinglarge extremes.
“During the period 2021-2050, summers in some parts of the Mediterranean are expected to be up to 2.5°C warmer than 1961-1990.
“Higher temperatures lead to an increase in the number of heat waves and droughts, which have great impact on water supply, agriculture production and human health,” the study claims.
It also shows an increase of about 15 per cent in rainfall and other precipitation in northern Europe and an equal decrease in the south.