EC report puts parched Spain on climate change “front line”
7th December
The most recent European Commission Ensembles report, which applies the latest climate prediction models to Europe, suggests that Spainwill be on the front line of global warming this century.
The report, which was produced with the participation of 66 expert institutes, has resulted in predictions by Spain’s meteorological office of a reduction in
rainfall in the country of 20 to 25 percent by 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced. Spain is responsible for one percent of global emissions, but is warming at double the worldwide rate, according to data from the Foundation for Climate Investigation.
“We are already seeing it,” said the secretary of state for water, Josep Puxeu. “We are quite sure. Without wishing to alarm, there is less water.” Influxes of water into Spain’s Tagus river reservoirs have fallen by 50 percent in the last century. “Hoping for rain is more difficult every day, because in this country it doesn’t know how to,” warned Puxeu.
Hopes of an agreement on reducing global emissions at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference grew yesterday with confirmation that US President Barack Obama has changed his schedule to attend on December 18,when the majority of leaders will be present.
RAFAEL MÉNDEZ / R. T.
Madrid
From El pais International Edition