Ara Oliveira, the Regional Director for the Environment and Sea, today confirmed that Madeira’s annual rainfall has fallen by 30% since 1990. A figure that will only increase and have grave consequences.
Citing international projections, Ara Oliveira said that by the year 2100, Madeira will experience up to 50% less rainfall and a 3 -5 degree increase in temperatures.
Despite the data, the Regional Director of Environment and Sea assures that work is being done by the regional authorities, namely, in the recovery of water networks, in the creation of firebreaks, the expansion of forest roads, river dam construction, meteorological radar investment, slope stabilisation, water chanelling, sand replenishment of Porto Santo beach, the expansion of the Natura 2000 Network, and in raising awareness in schools.
At the same time, there have been investments in air quality monitoring – and, in this sense, a new station will be created to better identify the evolution of air quality.
Regarding the adjustments to face the serious future scenarios, Ara Oliveira said that new measures are already being identified. “We are going to create an action programme and timetable,” he said without revealing any further details.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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