Cyprus runs risk of desertification: geophysicist

Reuters: Cyprus runs the risk of desertification by the end of this century as it feels the brunt of climate change and drought, an expert warned Friday. Studies project a rise in summer temperatures on the east Mediterranean island of between two and four degrees this century, compared to the 1960 to 1990 reference periods, Professor Manfred Lange, a geophysicist, said in an interview.

"I think that there is a very definite potential for dramatically increasing desertification," said Lange, director of the Energy, Environment and Water Research Center at the non-profit Cyprus Institute. By the end of this century, Cyprus can expect an extra two months of days with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees centigrade (95 Fahrenheit) on top of the present summer months of June, July and August, Lange said. There is also likely to be less rainfall and increased evaporation because of higher temperatures. "Cyprus will in fact become more like Abu Dhabi or other states that we know because there is just not enough water," he said….

Aerial view of Nicosia, Cyprus