Affiliation:
1. Frederick Research Center, 1036 Nicosia, Cyprus
2. Frederick University of Cyprus, 1036 Nicosia, Cyprus
3. Troodos Development Company (ANET), 2827 Galata, Cyprus
4. Technical University of Crete, 73100 Chania, Greece
Abstract
The Mediterranean basin is distinctly vulnerable to climate change and its associated effects. This vulnerability is noticeably observed in the southern Mediterranean territories, where a perceptible outcome of climate change is the increase of the average temperatures over time, accompanied by water scarcity due to reduced precipitation. Although recent technological advancements have achieved to mitigate to some extend climate change impacts, particularly in stabilizing temperatures and enhancing water resource management, alterations in weather patterns persist. This study presents a realistic climate change scenario in the southern European Mediterranean, namely Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, and Spain, along with selected semi-arid regions like Crete, Murcia, and Sicily, highlighting data spanning during the last three decades. This work aims to outline the principal meteorological factors associated with climate change, aiming to foster a broader understanding of its impact. Additionally, this discussion explores the potential for these regions to utilize the current climatic conditions beneficially, by pivoting towards energy production from alternative, sustainable sources, thereby converting the challenges posed by climate change into opportunities for societal benefit.