Climate change refugees could crowd Europe's central belt

edie newsroom:

Central Europe could become crowded with refugees fleeing the effects of climate change on the continent's northern and southern extremes.

This is the view of the influential European Environment Agency, a wing of the EU.

Arctic leaders are warning that climate change could destroy their culture as the permafrost thaws and ice cover melts, threatening houses and the infrastructure built on the hard ground and destroying the habitat of many species hunted for their survival.

Over the next century they fear this could drive them south, as life in the Arctic becomes untenable.

Meanwhile, many scientific models predict Southern Europe will become drier, potentially turning the Mediterranean area into an arid zone, forcing people to head north.

A recent report from the European Environment Agency confirms that changes in climate and impacts on nature and ecosystems are already underway in several parts of Europe, including the Arctic.

Professor Jacqueline McGlade, executive director of the agency said: "These findings provide even more evidence that climate change is really happening.

"Our report supports policy makers in their efforts to not only reduce emissions of greenhouse gases but also prepare ways to adapt to the changes that will inevitably come.

"Europe has a particular responsibility because of its leadership in the Kyoto process but also because its geography - from the Arctic to the arid regions of the Mediterranean - means that all Europeans will be affected."

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Climate change could crowd middle of Europe-EEA