The Effect of Climate Change on Greece

The Effect of Climate Change on Greece. This paper is a review of the climate change that has been observed in Greece from the 20th century up to now and projected future changes. The article provides a detailed introduction to foster the understanding of the concept climate change and overall climatic conditions of Greece. Changes in temperature, precipitation, and natural patterns are some of the notable occurrences observed. The paper also addresses the impacts of the changes, how the adverse climatic conditions have affected the lives, economy, tourism, and agriculture of Greece at large. Additionally, changes in climatic conditions affect human and animal health and directly affect their lives by destroying local resources like water and energy. Recommended solutions to this global menace have also been analyzed in detail. It is, however, vital to understanding that the climatic changes can bring positive impacts, for example, rain can lead to thriving in the agricultural sector. Therefore, to some extent, the effect of climate change depends on the specific change in particular climatic condition.

Table of Contents
TOC o “1-3” h z u Introduction PAGEREF _Toc507556415 h 4Body PAGEREF _Toc507556416 h 4Greece Climate PAGEREF _Toc507556417 h 4Changes Observed PAGEREF _Toc507556418 h 5Precipitation Reduction. PAGEREF _Toc507556419 h 5Sea level Elevation PAGEREF _Toc507556420 h 5Extreme rainfall PAGEREF _Toc507556421 h 6Temperatures PAGEREF _Toc507556422 h 6Hot Days and Humid Nights PAGEREF _Toc507556423 h 7Changes in the number of summer days PAGEREF _Toc507556424 h 7Impacts of climatic change PAGEREF _Toc507556425 h 7Effect on Agricultural production.

PAGEREF _Toc507556426 h 8Massive alterations in the tourism industry PAGEREF _Toc507556427 h 9Fear of losing the coastline PAGEREF _Toc507556428 h 10Effects on human health PAGEREF _Toc507556429 h 11Summary PAGEREF _Toc507556430 h 11Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc507556431 h 12References PAGEREF _Toc507556432 h 14

The Effect of Climate Change on Greece
IntroductionClimate change refers to the change in which weather patterns are distributed over a specific period. The term commonly referred to as global warming, which is a more restricting and limited interpretation of the concept as climate change encompasses all aspects relating to varying climatic conditions. The period entails years or rather decades. The change in weather patterns observed in Greece attributes to both natural and human-made characteristics. The physical processes characterizing climate change involves; the amount of solar radiation received, shifts in tectonic plate and eruptions; and biotic processes. The data on climate change is gathered and interpreted through geological and analytical base approaches. There is a need to understand the past Greece climatic conditions and compare the obtained results with the current and possible future situations. This data is collected through the gathering of cores of stable isotopes, analysis of accumulations of ice, temperature profiles of boreholes; plant and animal records and records of changes observed on sea levels. Climate change in Greece is among the primary contentious issues resulting to adverse impacts distressing the community, commercial and eco-friendly aspects of the country.
BodyGreece ClimateThe climate is also categorized as the Mediterranean. Hot and dry summers are experienced in the country during summer. Winters, on the other hand, are usually cold and wet. Snow is relatively rare in the upper parts of Greece. The area is also freezing during winters. Milder winters are experienced on the lower Greece (South). Snow is abundant in this area during winter. The summers are too hot and windy. However, overall Greece summers are usually hot. July and August are becoming extremely hot in Grece with temperatures rising to 30- 400 or even more (Weather Online, 2018, 1). The sun rays are strongest during at around 11.00 to 14.00. In most areas, people are recommended to stay indoors during these periods.
Meltemi winds are also the highest during these months. The winds moving during summer usually relieves the scorching sun effect except when the average velocity is exceptionally high. The winds blow at an average speed of about eight ms−1 and the mean of the maximum values of 15 ms−1 to 17 ms−1 depending on varying factors affecting its velocity (Pezzoli, 2005, 184). This category is mainly referred to as Csa Climate (Kottek et al., 2006, 260).
Changes ObservedClimatic components entails; precipitation, temperature, Sea level,
Precipitation Reduction
Greece has experienced a reduction in the amount of precipitation received over the last twenty years. The decline in rainfall is seen during winter. The highest case being higher in the Northwestern part of Greece and slightly reduced in Macedonia. Extreme precipitation cases are observed after a high-temperature season.
Sea level ElevationThe volume of water in Greece has been gradually rising about the thermal expansion experienced as a result of high temperatures. For the past century, the sea level of Greece has increased to by one to two millimeters annually. The rate at which this rate is experienced is much higher in big rivers- Delta Rivers (Tsiourtis, 2002, 6). This data, however, continues to rise depending on different regions and the temperature changes in these regions. One of the significant aspects to note is that some the coasts of Greece have experienced a reduction in water levels as a result of tectonic activities. Global warming is mainly the cause of sea level elevation because it has led to ice melting in the Polar Regions and flowing into the rivers and then into the Mediterranean
Extreme RainfallRecent studies have shown that the intense rains observed in Greece are associated with the many cyclones originating from the Mediterranean, and the Mediterranean air that is advected on the slopes of the mountain surrounding the sea. Some recurring flash floods, especially during the rainy season, are associated with convective and intense circulation of cyclones. Heavy precipitations of more than 60mm/day have been recorded; this is flooding affecting both agriculture and human mobility (Maheras & Anagnostopolou, 2003, 87-93).
TemperaturesThe summer months of Greece have continually increased in warmth fluctuating in different areas. These changes in temperature is also a result of the creation of microclimate regions such as urbanized areas. According to simulations made, by 2100, there will be increased gas emission up to 250%, therefore, raising the air temperature by 12⁰C, making it impossible for crops to survive under direct exposure to sunlight. These temperature variations have caused hot days and humid nights and a change in the number of summer days as discussed below.
Hot Days and Humid Nights There have been notable changes in the number of hot days and cold nights over last decade; these changes are likely to affect the number of tourists coming to the region negatively. Temperature as high as 35 degrees is recorded in this type of days. A tourist destination that has always had an economic influence in the region has recorded an upsurge in the number of hot days, for example, Attica has recorded 15 more hot days from the previous existing hot days, Iraklion also noted a varying 10 to 15 days increment. Both islands relate the changes to the influence of the sea. Tropical nights have been observed in almost all the islands, and this brings discomfort to the tourists, meaning they are less likely to visit during this time (Kioutsioukis et al., 2010, 1728).
Changes in the Number of Summer DaysAttributed to the inconsistent weather in Greece, the number of summer days have gradually increased and are predicted to increase further in the future. The number of summer days consequently increases the tourism season but has one setback, a lot of energy needed for air-conditioning.
Impacts of Climatic ChangeClimate change affects several factors that are vital for the existence of plants and animals. These ar
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Fig 1: Factors influenced by climate change in Greece.
The climate change effect on Greece directly influences the health, food, tourism sector, cost of living and the coastline of Greece. The following are some of how climate change influences the factors mentioned earlier;
Effect on Agricultural ProductionAgriculture is the most important of production in the Greece economy. Climate change impacts the agricultural productivity of the nation directly. Viniculture faces the most significant threat from the drop in rainfall precipitation. Rainfall has gradually dropped especially in the summer by 30% and up to 10% in the winter; this subsequently has led to a significant drop in the moisture content in the air. Lack of moisture has led to an increase in the dry land up to 60%; this has caused a massive drop in the agricultural invention in the dominant and southern parts of Greece. Coincidentally, the mountain regions will not be affected because the temperature will cause ice to melt and thus more water for agriculture. However, due to the increase hot days, that causes a reduction in rainfall, the favorable conditions will be canceled out, and irrigation will be the only option remaining. It is also notable that the quality of wine reduces due to the increase in temperatures. A considerable number of people will face the threat of unemployment and lack of food for consumption. A repetition of the 1990 drought which led to the starvation of many Greeks.
Massive Alterations in the Tourism IndustryClimate change is among the significant factors crippling the tourism sector in Greece. The summer is continuously getting more and more heat waves. Therefore, causing most summer hotels and tourist restaurants to experience hiked expenses on energy used by cooling systems energy to provide for cooling systems. Not too long, some areas especially islands will start facing the problem of water supply. However, these changes will not only be negative in entire Greece in some sections. In some areas, the summertime will be increased due to the increase in temperature. Also during the winter season, energy for heating the rooms will reduce as the days are few subsequently lowering the cost of energy (Amelung et al., 2007, 289).
The above phenomenon results in mainly adverse effects than the few positive impacts. More heat wave days will result in the melting of the polar ice regions, leading to increasing the sea level which reduces the coastline. An increase in the sea level by more than 30 centimeters causes adverse effects to the surrounding neighborhoods. The aquatic life is also affected adversely. Other consequences include a projected increase in forest fires and damaging of the skin by the dangerous UV rays (Ciscar, 2012, 4). According to another research conducted by PESETA 2012, high sea level will lead to coastal erosion. The researcher further indicates that the rise in temperature using 2.6 degrees Celsius will prime to a 1% decrease in overnight stays by tourists this translates to over 825 million pounds worth of tourist revenue lost yearly. Ski resorts are also a significant sub-sector of tourism that is affected by this change. The most affected regions are mountainous areas which located in low sea level areas of the south.
Archeological sites are also facing a significant menace as they are exposed to adverse weather. Greece culture is among the most appreciated and not only among its boundaries. It is a culture and tradition that is spoken of with a lot of ethnic origins. Mountainous regions are vulnerable to erosion and those in forest areas at risk of forest fires. In increase in temperature causes a decrease in rainfall which in turn makes forests drier and at risk of fire. Forest fires pose a threat to the natural ecology of the country ranging from infrastructure to the economy. Several cases of forest fires have been reported over the last two decades that have burned 611,706 hectares of forest (Ciscar, 2012, 4). It is predicted that by 2050, 70% chance of forest cover will be at risk of fire and the risk will extend from the regular two weeks to around six weeks.
Fear of Losing the CoastlineDue to the rise in temperature the sea level is likely to rise. The threat caused by the Antarctic glaciers to the coast is major, various researcher including the IPCC deliberates that by the end of the 21st century the sea level will have risen by 80 cm to 2 meters. The figures sound negligible, but the consequences are dire. The coastline of Greece stretches up to 16,000 km, over a third of the country’s population live along the shoreline. Major tourist attraction sites and infrastructure is in the coastal region; the same area accounts for 35% of arable land, ports and major cities. Therefore, in case of an increase in sea level, all the listed assets are at risk of being destroyed and thus destroying the country’s economy (Craft et al., 2009, 73-78). Ignorance of these impacts has severe consequences, for example, the Laimos peninsula is at risk of becoming an island and many beaches disappearing. For example, if there is a 0.5-meter rise in the sea level, Ornos beach will be fully covered, water will cover land and various infrastructural facilities to a radius of 150 meters from the present coast. A rise more than that will expose many buildings to safety risks and even lead to flooding, it’s advisable that relevant authorities intervene to protect the coastline.
The danger that is brought by rising sea levels is adverse, the threat of losing 3.5% of the land to sea being the main scare. The continued rise will lead to an estimated a loss of an equivalent of 2% of the country’s Gross domestic product.
Effects on Human HealthHuman health is vital for any society. Efforts to mitigate health factors take the largest share of an economy’s income. Apart from the economic and environmental impacts, climate change has unavoidable implications for human health. Unlike, the economic and ecological effects that are projected the health impacts are well known and have been studied before. Right now in Athens, the temperature averages 8 degrees Celsius higher than the northern cities; this has drastically facilitated a reduction in the quality of life in the city. High-temperature causes skin diseases such as skin cancer due to the direct exposure to dangerous UV (Patz et al., 2005, 310).
During the periods of extreme rainfall, the residents are exposed to conditions such as hypothermia, pneumonia and eventually a heart attack. During winter the temperatures are low in some regions, the Mediterranean winds are also blowing towards the land, and it’s essential to keep warm to avoid sickness.
SummaryAll the above factors result in an increased cost of living and reduced ability to gain income and sustainability. An approximated 5.5 million residents living in the cities of Greece will face thermal conditions caused by the rising temperatures. In Athens alone, 75% of the building is exposed to thermal heating since they were constructed earlier than 1980. The cost that is used for cooling is significantly high, making living conditions in Athens expensive and it is even expected to go higher.
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35337754413251085215231775Flooding and Loss of coastlines
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Fig 2: Increased living standards that are not sustainable
According to fig 2. Loss of ability to produce food, flooding, and loss of coastlines; loss of tourism potential and the increase in health expenditure will drastically lead to the increase in the cost of living of the people of Greece. The already expensive life going even higher will affect all sectors of the economy of the country. The increase in living standards will not be sustainable for the people of Greece.
ConclusionTo conclude, the above discussion shows that climatic conditions can bring both positive impacts and negative impacts. However, the negative consequences outweigh the positive ones entirely. Either way, the governments should lay down proper mechanisms to handle the future threat to lack of rainfall. The impacts of climate change have both economic, environmental and human effects. However, the magnitude of the effects vary. Human activities avoid some of this effects, but some are natural and unavoidable, it is essential to protect the environment to mitigate some of the impacts or else the overall social, economic, cultural and environmental character of the Greece people is facing possible extinction.
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Ciscar, J.C., 2012. The impacts of climate change in Europe (the PESETA research project). Climatic Change, 112(1), pp.1-6.
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