Italy Faces Increasing Climate Risks as Extreme Weather Events Continue
Italy has experienced a series of extreme weather events in recent years, including the collapse of a glacier in the Dolomites, a landslide on the island of Ischia, devastating floods, wildfires, and record-breaking heatwaves. Luca Mercalli, an Italian climatologist and president of the Italian Meteorological Society, has witnessed these events firsthand. However, nothing prepared him for the scene in Mortegliano, a small town in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, where powerful storms wreaked havoc in late July, resulting in the death of five people.
During these storms, hailstones of record-breaking sizes fell in various parts of northern Italy. In Carmignano di Brenta, a town in Veneto, a hailstone measuring 16cm (6.3in) in diameter fell, breaking the previous European record. Just five days later, a hailstone measuring 19cm (7.5in) was found in Azzano Decimo in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. In Mortegliano, half a kilo of hail with estimated stone diameters of 10-15cm fell, causing significant damage to the town’s infrastructure and resulting in an estimated cost of €80m.
Mercalli described the scene in Mortegliano as if the town had been bombed or hit by an earthquake, something completely new to him as a climatologist. Italy’s geographical location, diverse topography, and densely inhabited Mediterranean coastal areas make it particularly vulnerable to climate risks. The warming Mediterranean, the transition between the tropical climate of Africa and the temperate climate of northern Europe, and the crowded Mediterranean all contribute to Italy’s fragility.
As more violent storms were forecasted to hit northern Italy, President Sergio Mattarella joined counterparts from Spain, Greece, Croatia, and Slovenia in demanding urgent action from international leaders to address the climate crisis. However, Italy’s current right-wing administration, led by Giorgia Meloni, has shown little action in response to these climate risks. Meloni has expressed skepticism towards the need for an ecological transition, and her deputy, Matteo Salvini, has made light of the heatwaves and melting glaciers.
Mercalli and his colleagues have faced backlash from climate crisis deniers in Italy, but he warns that ignoring the issue will come at a high price. The increasing frequency of extreme events, such as the hailstorm in Mortegliano, is pushing society beyond its tolerance threshold. Italy must take immediate action to address climate risks and protect its vulnerable communities from the devastating impacts of extreme weather events.
How is Italy addressing the increasing climate risks it faces and what more needs to be done
The hailstones were reportedly the size of tennis balls, causing severe damage to buildings, cars, and agricultural fields. The storms also brought along strong winds, which uprooted trees and caused power outages in several areas.
The extreme weather events evident in Italy are a clear sign of the increasing climate risks the country is facing. Climate change has been a significant factor in the occurrence of such events, causing a shift in weather patterns and making extreme events more frequent and intense.
According to Mercalli, the Italian climate has become more unstable, with an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. He believes that this trend will continue if urgent action is not taken to address climate change.
Italy’s vulnerability to climate risks is further exacerbated by its unique geographic and environmental characteristics. With a long coastline, it is prone to sea-level rise, leading to the potential for increased flooding and storm surges. The country’s mountainous regions are also at risk, as seen in the collapse of the glacier in the Dolomites. The melting of glacial ice not only threatens the local ecosystems but also affects the water supply for nearby communities.
In addition to the physical risks, extreme weather events also have significant economic implications for Italy. The destruction caused by floods, wildfires, and storms leads to costly recovery efforts and loss of productivity. The agricultural sector, an important part of the Italian economy, bears the brunt of these events, with crops and livestock being destroyed.
To address these climate risks, Italy is implementing various measures. One of them is the development of a National Adaptation Plan, which aims to enhance resilience to climate change impacts. The plan focuses on sectors such as agriculture, water resources, coastal zones, and health. Italy has also been investing in renewable energy sources and promoting energy efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
However, more needs to be done to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate. Mercalli emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and stronger climate policies to effectively address the issue. He believes that limiting global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, is crucial in safeguarding Italy’s future.
Italy’s experience with extreme weather events serves as a stark reminder of the urgency to take action on climate change. As the risks continue to increase, it is essential for governments, businesses, and individuals to prioritize sustainability and resilience efforts. Only through collective action can Italy and other countries hope to overcome the challenges posed by a changing climate.
This is heartbreaking. Climate change is impacting communities all around the world.