Human activity is changing the Earth's climate unprecedentedly in thousands or hundreds of thousands of years, with some changes that are inevitable and irreversible, climate scientists warned in early August when the International Climate Change Panel's historic report was published . Many important sectors are affected, including Albania.
The Institute of Geosciences, Energy, Water and Environment (IGJEO), which monitors climate indicators, acknowledged in a statement to Monitor.al that the effects of climate change are being observed in Albania as well.
"The average annual temperature has increased, especially in the last 10 years. The same is observed in the minimum and maximum annual temperatures that tend to increase, especially in the last 10 years. The amount of precipitation has decreased by about 10-15%, while the intensity of precipitation has increased. We have larger amounts of rainfall in a shorter time. It should also be mentioned the fact that we have less precipitation in the form of snow, both in quantity and distribution, "said the Institute for Monitor.al.
Among other things, IGJEO emphasized:
"Albania, from the physical-geographical extent, is protected from hurricanes, because since we are wet by closed seas, we do not risk such phenomena. Phenomena from which we risk from the sea are coastal erosion and floods. In a publication of the World Bank on the chemical risk profile of Albania, it is said that our country has experienced an increase in the average annual temperature of 1 ° C since the 1960s. "
In December 2020, researchers in Spain raised the alarm about the damage to the tourism industry by climate change. British, Scandinavian and German retirees have recently preferred to visit Mediterranean countries in spring and autumn, when temperatures are not too high. But nights when the temperature does not drop more than 20 degrees Celsius are rising and this can negatively affect and the Mediterranean can be very hot for vacationers.
Yesterday, in 1800 cities of the world, including Tirana, protests were organized within the movement Fridays for Future (Fridays for the Future) demanding urgent action to address the climate crisis.