The worrying warning from the EU about the Canary Islands

“Measures must be taken, or 10% of the beaches and houses will be lost” that is how blunt the General Directorate of Defense and Space Industry (DEFIS) was about the advance of climate change on the islands. The institution, dependent on the European Union, accompanied the worrying message with a photo of the archipelago taken by the Sentinel 2 satellite.

This warning from the EU marks the Canary Islands as the first Spanish territory affected by climate change and demands immediate measures by the institutions of the archipelago to avoid the disaster that would mean losing 10% of homes in coastal areas. 

Faced with this situation, the Canary Islands authorities are taking measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Adaptation and conservation programs have been implemented, as well as policies to promote the transition towards renewable energy sources, among others. The reality of the situation is worrying, since some research promoted by island institutions has indicated that by 2050, 147 beaches in the archipelago could have disappeared.

At the economic level, serious repercussions are also expected in the medium-long term, with an annual loss of 11% of GDP in this situation. The Canary Islands face an uncertain future due to climate change. The preservation of a unique biodiversity, a rich natural and cultural heritage, the quality of life of its inhabitants and the arrival of tourists may be affected.