Droughts and heatwaves in southern Europe caused by global warming is likely to cause deserts in the Mediterranean region. Photo: FileGlobal warming is on track to disrupt the Mediterranean region more than any droughts or heatwaves in the past 10,000 years, turning parts of southern Europe into desert by the end of the century, scientists. With unchecked warming, deserts would expand in southern Spain and Portugal, northern parts of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and other regions including Sicily, southern Turkey and parts of Syria, it showed. Only the 1.5C global goal would ensure Mediterranean ecosystems stay within bounds of the past 10,000 years, the study said. The research did not consider other changes in farming that can hasten desertification, such as around Almeria in southern Spain.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 27, 2016 20:48 UTC