Landslides, drought and record temperatures: alarming data for Molise’s future
Molise is in the crosshairs of climate change, and the signs are now unmistakable. Rising temperatures, increasing scarcity of water resources and extreme phenomena such as landslides and desertification are a real threat that the territory can no longer ignore. The region is among the most vulnerable, and its future is at risk if action is not taken now to contain the climate emergency that is overwhelming it.
Ecogest’s Center for Climate Change Studies has analyzed future projections, highlighting how Molise is becoming an increasingly unstable terrain. The region, located in the heart of the Mediterranean, is affected by warming 20 percent greater than the global average, with devastating effects on soil security and water availability. 16 percent of Molise’s territory is at risk of landslides, and unless urgent measures are taken, the situation will continue to worsen, with serious impacts on the environment and the economy.
The predictions are worrying: the average temperature could rise by about 18.82°C by the end of the century, with increasingly hot summer days and droughts becoming the norm rather than the exception. This is compounded by a persistent lack of modern infrastructure and insufficient maintenance, exacerbating water loss and challenging resource management.
“The data we are presenting,” says Valerio Molinari, CCSC president and Ecogest Spa shareholder, “are a wake-up call that we cannot ignore. Molise is experiencing a climate crisis that requires concrete and rapid action. Only with timely policies and sustainable strategies can we hope to prevent irreparable damage.”
Concrete action for infrastructure
Infrastructure, particularly road infrastructure, is at the forefront of having to cope with the effects of climate change. Infrastructure maintenance is no longer an option, but an urgent necessity.
“Solutions exist,” Molinari continues, “and they are numerous. Advanced technologies such as online cameras, weather stations and road load sensors should be applied to monitor road conditions and improve traffic management. In addition, the introduction of green plantings, with native plants, will help not only to mitigate the heat island effect, but also to ensure greater sustainability of our infrastructure.”