Italy Faces Threat of Losing 20% of Beaches by 2050 Due to Rising Sea Levels

Rome: Italy risks losing about 20% of its beaches by 2050 and 40% by 2100 because of rising sea levels linked to the climate crisis and other factors, such as flood risks and land erosion.

According to Ansa News Agency, a report by the Italian Geographical Society titled ‘Sunken Landscapes’ was presented on Tuesday, highlighting these alarming predictions.

The report identified several areas in danger, including the coastline of the Northern Adriatic, the beaches of the Gargano in Puglia, various stretches of the Tyrrhenian coast between Tuscany and Campania, and the regions of Cagliari and Oristano in Sardinia. These regions are already showing signs of vulnerability due to environmental changes.

Additionally, the report warns that half of the nation’s port infrastructure is at risk, along with more than 10% of agricultural land. The report also highlights the peril facing “amphibious” coastal areas, particularly the Po Delta and the Venice Lagoon, which are crucial to Italy’s geographical and cultural l
andscape.