Inauguration of the Mediterranean Observatory on Climate Change (OMCC)
Today, at the École Polytechnique de Tunisie in La Marsa, the inauguration of the Mediterranean Observatory on Climate Change (OMCC) took place, an international event addressing the challenges related to climate change, water resource management, and agricultural challenges in the Mediterranean region. This gathering allowed experts from the region to share their analyses and proposals to tackle these major environmental crises.
The meeting was a moment of reflection and expertise sharing on the multiple facets of climate change in the Mediterranean. Innovative solutions exist, but they require concerted action at the local, national, and international levels. Whether it's preserving marine biodiversity, managing water resources, or adapting agriculture to new climate conditions, it is imperative that Mediterranean countries work together to ensure a sustainable future for this already fragile region.
During the panel "The Mediterranean as the Epicenter of Climate Change," Elyes Hamza, director of the Centre for Regional Activities for Specially Protected Areas (SPA/RAC), exposed the impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean. He highlighted that human activities, associated with rising temperatures and ocean acidification, are severely disrupting marine and coastal ecosystems in the region. These changes affect not only marine species but also coastal communities that depend on the sea for their livelihood. Hamza emphasized the importance of marine protected areas and surveillance programs to evaluate and mitigate these effects. He called for enhanced international cooperation and nature-based solutions to preserve the biological richness of the Mediterranean.
Abbas Mihelm, executive director of the Palestinian Farmers' Union (PFU), addressed the issue of water scarcity in Palestine, exacerbated by the political context. He explained that the question of access to water cannot be dissociated from the complex geopolitical situation in the region. Nearly 60% of Palestinian agricultural lands are under Israeli control, including areas rich in natural resources. This deprives Palestinian farmers of a significant part of their means of subsistence. About 87% of Palestinian water resources are located in Area C, under Israeli control, making access to water extremely difficult. These conditions have a direct impact on Palestinian agriculture, particularly olive oil production, which is the economic lifeblood of over 160,000 families. Mihelm mentioned initiatives to address these challenges, such as awareness campaigns, efficient irrigation techniques, and the introduction of hydroponic agriculture, but stressed that sustainable solutions cannot emerge without resolving the political problems.
Shifa Mathbout, senior researcher at the European University of Cyprus, shed light on the scientific aspects of climate change, highlighting its varied and multidimensional effects. According to her, climate change affects not only the environment but also human health, migration, and conflict. She detailed the characteristics of the Mediterranean climate, marked by high variability, with high temperatures in the south and irregular precipitation throughout the region.
Mathbout presented alarming data on the decline in precipitation in countries such as Greece, Italy, and Spain, which have seen their rainfall deficits exceed 40% over the past few decades, exacerbating water resource tensions. Her intervention also covered an international research project involving 70 Mediterranean researchers, which highlighted the increasing irregularity of precipitation. According to her, these phenomena will aggravate pressures on agriculture, water supply, and lead to new waves of forced migration. She concluded by calling for urgent action to mitigate the effects of climate change, while emphasizing the need for enhanced regional cooperation to address these challenges.
