Cyprus’s Beaches are Disappearing due to Climate Change

Climate change is posing a serious threat to the beautiful beaches of Cyprus, with predictions that up to 72% could vanish by the year 2100 due to rising sea levels and increased wave action. This startling revelation comes from researchers at the University of the Aegean, Greece, who used satellite imagery and modeling techniques to study the effects of Climate change on Cyprus, the third largest island in the Mediterranean with a 740 km coastline.

Source: Bloomberg Quicktake/YouTube

Published in Frontiers in Marine Science, the study found that the issue of erosion is amplified by the lack of sediment reaching the coast due to upstream dams trapping it, leaving less sand to replenish the beaches after erosion. It’s estimated that extreme sea level rise will surge 60% by 2100, up to 1.29 m above mean sea level, compared to 2000 levels, causing significant erosion along the southern and western coastlines.

Narrow beaches, less than 50 m wide, are at a higher risk. Up to 72% of these are expected to permanently lose at least half their width by the century’s end. Carbon dioxide emissions also play a crucial role, with higher emissions leading to increased sea levels.

The study also warns of an increase in the severity and frequency of coastal storms. An extreme storm event, which could happen every 2.5 to 13 years by 2100 under severe carbon emission scenarios, could wreak havoc on almost half of Cyprus’ beaches, causing significant damage to natural ecosystems and human infrastructure.

With these alarming projections, by 2050, total beach retreat is expected for 2% of the beaches, with this number increasing to 30% by 2100 under the worst-case carbon emission scenario. This would lead to a loss of 39 m of coastline, primarily to the north and east.

The implications aren’t just limited to tourism and infrastructure. Key habitats for numerous shoreline creatures, including nesting sites for birds, are under threat. While buffer zones and hard engineering measures like seawalls, groins, and offshore breakwaters have been suggested, the need of the hour is collective action to mitigate the effects of climate change and save our treasured coastlines.

Wake Up Climate Change Is Real by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and essential stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!