Climate and environmental change in the Mediterranean Basin: Current situation and risks for the future: 1st Mediterranean assessment report

The First Mediterranean Assessment Report (MAR1) assesses the best available scientific knowledge on climate and environmental change and associated risks in the Mediterranean Basin in order to render it accessible to policymakers, stakeholders and citizens. Virtually all sub-regions of the Mediterranean Basin, on land and in the sea, are impacted by recent anthropogenic changes in the environment. The main drivers of change include climate (temperature, precipitation, atmospheric circulation, extreme events, sea-level rise, sea water temperature, salinity and acidification), population increase, pollution, unsustainable land and sea use practices and non-indigenous species. In most areas, both natural ecosystems and human livelihoods are affected. Due to global and regional trends in the drivers, impacts will be exacerbated in the coming decades, especially if global warming exceeds 1.5 to 2°C above the pre-industrial level. Significantly enhanced efforts are needed in order to adapt to inevitable changes, mitigate change drivers and increase resilience.

This paper examines five main topics:

• “Drivers”, focussing on the physical, bio-chemical and human drivers of climate and environmental changes;
• “Resources”, assessing the state of knowledge for major resource challenges: water, food and energy;
• “Ecosystems”, assessing the state of knowledge for marine, coastal and terrestrial ecosystems;
• “Society”, addressing major issues of development, health and human security under climate and environmental change; and
• “Managing future risks and building socio-ecological resilience”, discussing options for more sustainable policies.