Climate change threatens the Mediterranean: vacationers must be careful!

Climate change threatens the Mediterranean: vacationers must be careful!

The Mediterranean, a favorite destination for summer vacationers, is under increasing pressure from the climate crisis. Scientists warn of the devastating effects of rising temperatures and ecological pressures, which can have a lasting impact on the holiday experience. Professor Christian Wild from the University of Bremen emphasizes that water temperatures no longer drop below ten degrees in winter. This is leading to serious changes in the Mediterranean ecosystem.

Plant and animal species that rely on cold periods for reproduction are particularly affected. Snorkelers and divers are reporting worrying changes in underwater environments, including a decline in seagrass meadows and horn coral forests in favor of carpets of algae. Extreme weather events such as heat waves and floods are putting additional strain on the region.

Ecological challenges and dangers

Rising water temperatures lead to increased salinity due to faster evaporation, which is problematic for many marine organisms, including fish, corals and mussels. Oxygen starvation occurs more frequently in warm water, particularly in shallower zones, contributing to mass death of life forms. In addition, “dead zones” are created by dying algae that consume more oxygen than they can produce.

A worrying increase in jellyfish populations is also being recorded. Jellyfish, which have existed since before the dinosaurs, are common in all oceans and play an important role in the marine ecosystem. But since around 2003 there has been an imbalance in the Mediterranean that has resulted in an explosive increase in jellyfish. This not only impacts the marine ecosystem, but also affects fishermen and tourism.

Jellyfish clog fishing nets and damage fishing gear, causing fisheries employees to spend more time removing jellyfish instead of making their actual catches. Additionally, beaches infested with jellyfish become less attractive, leading to a decline in visitor numbers and economic harm to local communities.

Urgent need for action

In order to get the situation under control, urgent action must be taken. The WWF points out the need for measures that should also promote the protection of coastal landscapes and biodiversity. A reduction in overfishing and the avoidance of wastewater pollution are urgently recommended. Restoration through reforestation of seagrass meadows is also recommended.

Additionally, land regions in the Mediterranean region are severely affected, with regular bush and forest fires in countries such as Greece, Spain, Italy and southern France. Italy in particular is suffering from severe droughts, particularly in central and southern regions and in Sicily. Holidaymakers wanting to enjoy the beauty of the Mediterranean are urged to take local warnings and weather advisories seriously to ensure their safety.

The challenges facing the Mediterranean due to the climate crisis and the associated ecological changes require decisive measures to protect both the environment and the holiday paradise.

For more information on these topics, see also The West and WWF.