The Impact of Climate Change on Sicily and Why We Should Worry

The phenomena of climate change marks an important issue on the Earth, leading people to feel a sense of huge responsibility and urgency. The effects of climate change are becoming clearer in everyday life, as wildfires, drought, and heatwaves shake the globe.

As it happens these months were frightened by the continuous flood in the south of Europe, next to Valencia the north and south of Italy hosted natural catastrophes.

Italian statistics stays that the sea temperature will approximately rise 2 degrees Celsius by 2050, causing the decrease in fishing, sudden rises in temperature and acidification can lead to the loss of marine habitats and species, shifting ocean currents and warming waters are changing the distribution of fish stocks and altering the structure of ecosystems; moreover it is established that the rise of temperature will cause droughts which will create a need for hydric resources.

Italy is the nineteenth country in the emissions ranking among G20 countries, the Group of Twenty (G20) states which represents the premier forum for international economic cooperation.

The sunny res publica known for its delicious food and the ancient culture will be known, in the near future, for its loss due to climate change. In particular, Sicily, the most southern region, will suffer the most, as severe drought and floods will become routine.

Drought and Desertification

“The land is becoming desert” is a common alarming quote among farmers and citizens who are experiencing a state of desertification in the region.

The first approach, when landing on the island, is a wasteland alike the Mars landscapes; the cause of climate change which are mostly viewed from our phone are near us, in every part of the globe.

The rising temperature has led to a state of crisis that let the island in a state of emergency due to the many impacted sectors: agriculture, tourism and others that affect everyday life in the region.

Certain bodies of water have been severely affected by recent droughts. For example the well-known Lake Caccamo, which once had a capacity of 100 million cubic meters of water, now only holds 18 million cubic meters of water.

Tropical Weather

“We used to grow lemons and olives, but the soil and climate have changed. Now, we cultivate mangoes, avocados and even papayas,” a worried farmer reported.

The arrival of tropical weather marks an important change in Sicilian life. It affects the agriculture due to rising temperatures and the unexpected rainfalls which have already caused floods and hurricanes.

Sicily’s new weather patternscaused by climate change and the rising temperatures which reached in the past year almost 50°C, are a fertile producers of tropical fruits.

Agriculture

“There is no wheat, no barley, no oats” the droughts and the extreme conditions brought such issue.

The lack of water threatens farmers.. As it happens, it is predicted that the future of livestock will be harsh due to the lack of drinkable hydric resources that will means in the cull of animals by their owners.

Not so long ago, a sad image of a sheep herd that was drinking mud, the only liquid around, went viral. Even cows are producing less milk due to the droughts.

The soil has changed. Approximately 70% of Sicilian land will be a victim of desertification, and so a lot of farmers have left the island.

The bravest entrepreneurs have embraced the essential change in Sicilian production as a consequence of climate change: exotic fruits that could dominate Sicilian agriculture.

The Life of the Population

The state of crisis is not contained by sectors such as agriculture, the weather or the economy, but also impacts livability.Citizens have to adapt to a new way of living, marked by the lack of water resources and heat waves, which are reaching considerable peaks during the summers.

Despite that, resilience pushes Sicilians to make a strong effort in water rationing in the countryside and a strong organization of the hydric resources in the imminent future must be enhanced.

However, there are alarming statistics revealing a phenomenon of depopulation.

Lot of entities are taking action to cope with the issue. The Italian Red Cross collaborated with the “Protezione Civile” (the set of activities put in place to protect life, property, animals, settlements and environment from damage or risk) in the city of Messina by distributing drinking water in the nearby municipalities.

Tourism, a great economic sector, is increasing each year despite the condition of the island,, driven by the warm behavior of the inhabitants and the well organized hotels and bed and breakfasts using tanks to overcome the lack of water. The island is in a state of adaptation.

The deterioration is quite clear, yet there are some climate change deniers.We can no longer only try to speak or persuade; we have to act. The future is here and the island will face obstacles.

The future is not yet clear, however it is certain that through a strong collaboration between the institutions and the island, a well organized system, an awareness of the issue and investments of income the problem could be overcome.