Ten coastal areas of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, totaling 36.4 kilometers, are at "high risk" due to the threat of climate change, according to a report recently presented by the Government of the Canary Islands.
"The consequences of climate inaction could range from an increase in episodic floods with direct impact on the population, to damage to key infrastructure, such as land transport routes, the disappearance of tourist beaches, the reduction of habitats and ecosystems, and an increase in erosion along the entire coastline of the islands," warns the report, prepared by Grafcan in collaboration with the Environmental Hydraulics Institute of the University of Cantabria and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
In total, 47 stretches of coastline in the Canary Islands have been identified as being at "high cumulative risk", of which 9 are in Lanzarote and one in La Graciosa. In fact, the report warns that "the eastern islands, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, will be subject to significantly higher risks in 2050 and 2100."
Now, according to the Ministry of Ecological Transition, Climate Change and Territorial Planning, these 47 points will be "a priority for detailed studies and adaptation plans to climate change at the local level."
In the case of Lanzarote, the areas of greatest risk are located in Puerto del Carmen, in Arrecife and Las Caletas, in Costa Teguise, in Famara, in Playa Honda, between Punta Mujeres and Arrieta, in the El Golfo area and in La Santa. As for La Graciosa, the affected section is between Caleta de Sebo and Playa Francesa.
There are 147 tourist beaches threatened in the Canary Islands
The objective of the study, called the PIMA (Environmental Promotion Plan) Adapta Costas Canarias project, was to "learn, for the first time, the risks faced by coastal environments" of the archipelago if "the worst scenarios regarding this global phenomenon" are confirmed, if "the necessary adaptation measures are not taken against climate change."
As explained by the councilor, José Antonio Valbuena, the study has made a projection "for the mid and late twenty-first century under two hypotheses of climate change, one of medium intensity (50th percentile of sea level rise) and another of high intensity (95th percentile of sea level rise)." And the results are alarming.
"The estimated direct economic losses, associated with both erosive processes and coastal flooding processes derived from climate change, could reach 11% of the current GDP in the worst climate change scenario in 2100," they emphasize from the regional Executive.
Of these losses, 75% would be related to the effects of structural or permanent erosion on the tourist beaches of the Archipelago. "It is estimated that the worst climate scenario of 2050 may affect 147 tourist beaches, with a total surface loss of 10.6%," they point out from the Ministry.
The risk areas in Lanzarote, in order of severity
Puerto del Carmen: The area covers 6.1 kilometers, from Playa del Cangrejo to Playa de Matagorda, and accumulates the highest level of risk on the island. "The coastal processes involve risks on urban environments, predominantly tourist, close to the coast, and on their beach systems, classified as of tourist interest, as well as on the ZEC Sebadales de Guasimeta in the maritime part," warns the report.
La Santa: This area includes 8.3 kilometers between Caleta de Caballo and the town of La Santa. "The coastal processes involve risks on the population of small settlements (La Santa and Caleta de Caballo), on the tourist complex of La Santa and on ecosystem values (ZEC Los Risquetes) and cultural heritage (paleontological zone)."
Arrecife: The report places at high risk a section of 2.7 kilometers from La Bufona to the Islote del Francés. "The coastal processes involve high risks on the maritime front of the city of Arrecife, including urban and economic fabric of high value, recreational public spaces (promenades, beaches), infrastructures, equipment and abundant assets of historical-cultural heritage. A detailed evaluation of the possible effects on the Port of Arrecife is also recommended," the report states.
Famara: Affects 4.3 kilometers of coastline, from Caleta de Famara to Playa de Famara. "The coastal processes involve risks on the population and infrastructure of the town of Caleta de Famara, including its land access, and on the high environmental and tourist value of the beach-dune systems of the environment (ZEC and ZEPA areas)."
Playa Honda: The section of coastline at risk is 2 kilometers, along the entire urbanization. "The coastal processes involve risks on the urban environment, of residential and tourist type, close to the coast, and on its beach systems, classified as of tourist interest, as well as on the ZEC Sebadales de Guasimeta in the maritime part."
Arrieta: The report places in red a section of coastline of 3.2 kilometers between the towns of Punta Mujeres and Arrieta. "The coastal processes involve risks on the population and infrastructure of the coastal settlements developed along this coastal stretch," it warns.
Costa Teguise: Affects a section of 2.5 kilometers, from Playa del Jablillo to Playa de los Charcos. "The coastal processes involve risks on the population, infrastructure and urban equipment of the tourist complex, and especially on the embedded and occluded beaches that provide the main recreational service of the environment."
Las Caletas: The risk area covers 1.5 kilometers. "The coastal processes involve risks on an area of high industrial activity where critical level 1 infrastructures are concentrated (thermal power plant and gas distribution facilities - chemical hazard-) and level 2 (desalination plant)," warns the report.
El Golfo: The section of coastline in danger measures 1.3 kilometers, from Casas del Golfo to Playa del Golfo. "The coastal processes involve risks for the population of the town of El Golfo and its access by land, and for very relevant elements of the natural heritage (El Golfo), with great economic impact on the town."
La Graciosa: The report also places at high risk a section of coastline of 4.5 kilometers on the eighth island, from Caleta de Sebo to Playa Francesa. "The coastal processes involve risks on the population and infrastructure of the residential and tourist town of Caleta de Sebo (and probably also port infrastructure), as well as on terrestrial ecosystems (beaches, dunes and coastal lagoons) and marine ecosystems (ZEC Sebadales de La Graciosa)."
