Scientists Warn: Cyprus Could Lose Half Its Beaches by End of Century

A one-meter rise in sea level by the end of the 21st century could lead to the disappearance of half of Cyprus's beaches unless urgent measures are taken. This was stated by the President of the Cyprus Institute, Dr. Stavros Malas, at the opening ceremony of an international conference on natural resource management held on Wednesday in Nicosia.

According to Malas, the Eastern Mediterranean region is already on the brink of a climate crisis. Projections suggest that temperatures could rise by 3–5 degrees by the end of the century, leading to prolonged heatwaves and extreme precipitation.

Cyprus remains particularly vulnerable. In the absence of immediate action, the sea level could rise by one meter, posing a direct threat to half of the island's beaches. This, in turn, would affect the tourism industry and the country's economy as a whole.

The opening of the international conference titled "Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus in the Mediterranean Region — From Source to Sea: From Strategy to Solutions" took place at the Cyprus Institute.

The Institute's official statement noted that the conference highlights the interconnected challenges facing the Mediterranean: water scarcity, energy transition, food security, and climate change.

Environment Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou emphasized that having a strategy is only the first step, while the main task lies in its practical implementation.

According to her, it is necessary to develop a robust regional framework for action with clear goals, measurable indicators, and mechanisms for inter-agency cooperation, as well as ensuring the coordination of funding.

The conference aims to strengthen cooperation between governments, the scientific community, international organizations, and financial institutions. The main objective is to develop a comprehensive system for sustainable natural resource management with an emphasis on climate resilience.

The event is held as part of the WEFE4MED – Community of Practice project, coordinated by the Cyprus Institute. The project brings together researchers, specialists, policymakers, and donor organizations to develop a common strategy for sustainable development in the Mediterranean region.