Impact of climate change, the Pyrenees on the front line

Climate change is a lasting change in the earth’s climate, also known as climate change. Rising temperatures, more intense and frequent variation of weather events… Climate change is one of the challenges of the 21st century. In France, and especially on natural environments such as mountainous terrain, the climate is sensitive and must be observed with care. Since 2010, the Pyrenean Observatory for Climate Change (OPCC) has been one of the actors who monitor and raise awareness of climate change.

Climate change highlighted by OPCC webinars

To raise awareness and present the effects of climate change on the Pyrenees, the OPCC is presenting six webinars until 12 November 2020. These webinars aim to present the impacts and consequences of climate on many natural elements. The elements take into account the impacts on water, forests, fauna, flora, lakes and peatlands. Through these presentations, the OPCC wants to involve the general public to fight and know the effects of global warming. Indeed, the Pyrenees are a bioregion particularly sensitive and vulnerable to this phenomenon. Thus, to protect it, three countries are allied with their private and public actors: Spain, France and Andorra. These are countries whose border is common with the Pyrenees mountain range. The latter is therefore at the heart of the issues, and constitutes a complete and complex ecosystem to be safeguarded.

Thus, these webinars address key themes around global warming. Climpsy tackles climate trends in the heart of the Pyrenees. Piragua talks about water resources, and aims to look for sustainable adaptation strategies. The Canopy webinar highlights the consequences of climate change on the health of Pyrenean forests. Replim presents the effects of climate change on lakes and peatlands. Finally, Florapyr and Adapyr present the impact of global warming on flora and vegetation respectively, and propose indicators to monitor change. Thus, Adapyr is implementing a strategy, a guide to good practices to initiate a strong citizen mobilization. These are all meetings that aim to observe the evolution of climate change, give visibility to the Pyrenees and raise awareness of its protection.

The ecosystem is fragile and sensitive to climate.

New Aquitaine, a territory to be protected

New Aquitaine is a region characterized by the variety of landscapes present on its territory. In addition to the Pyrenees, straddles two French regions, New Aquitaine is also home to the Landes forest. This forest covers 1,300,000 hectares over the region, and consists mainly of pine trees. Home to rich flora and fauna, the forest of the Landes de Biscay is an ecosystem to be protected. The coastline and the Arcachon Basin are also environments sensitive to climate change, especially with warming oceans, and maritime tourism. The Garonne, which runs through Bordeaux, is also affected by pollution, especially by the passage of cruise ships that come to dock each year. In order to cope with the influx of stops in the heart of the city, the city takes ecological measures by limiting the speed and use of a fuel less loaded with sulphur.

Within cities, the fight against climate change and the protection of biodiversity is a priority issue. Thus, Bordeaux is a metropolis involved in respecting the environment. The introduction of greener transport to improve mobility, or the use of more environmentally friendly building materials. Actions and citizen mobilization to counter climate change are constant efforts, put in place by committed actors.

Sources:

Written by OPCC – September 2020 press release – Pyrenean Climate Change Observatory – Project ADAPYR 2

Port of Bordeaux – Updated on 2 September 2020 – Planning for boat stops in Bordeaux

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