Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and wildfires: the region faces urgent climate challenges that require immediate solutions
Basilicata is facing an unprecedented challenge. Although today the region does not appear to be among the hardest hit by climate change, it is in a strategic position that makes it particularly vulnerable to the impacts of global warming. With uncontrolled temperature rises, prolonged periods of drought, and devastating wildfires becoming more frequent, the situation is rapidly evolving toward worrisome scenarios. Unless urgent action is taken, the region’s future will be marked by irreparable damage.
The Mediterranean is among the areas most affected by global warming, with temperatures rising 20 percent above the global average. Basilicata is not exempt from this reality, and future projections are worrying, to say the least. Risk factors such as desertification, soil erosion and the increasing frequency of extreme events put water resources, land security and economic activities at risk. In particular, water loss, with Basilicata having one of the highest rates in Italy, is one of the most urgent challenges to be addressed.
While Basilicata today seems less exposed to extreme events than other regions, the reality is changing fast: over the past 30 years, average temperatures have increased and the number of days with temperatures above 33°C has tripled. With projections that see temperatures rising further, the region risks becoming increasingly vulnerable to extreme events, from dry spells to wildfires, with heavy impacts on infrastructure, agriculture and quality of life.
The Mediterranean, as pointed out by experts, is considered one of the “hot spots” of climate change, where warming exceeds the global average increase by about 20 percent, accompanied by decreasing precipitation. Basilicata, while not among the most affected regions at the moment, is steadily growing among vulnerable areas. Risk factors, such as desertification and soil erosion, are expanding, with devastating impacts on water resources and local economies. Future projections are alarming: average temperatures could rise further, leading to increasingly frequent extreme events.
“Our study,” says Valerio Molinari, president of the Center for Climate Change Studies and shareholder of Ecogest Spa, “shows a worrying picture for Basilicata. If timely and sustainable policies are not adopted, the risks will increase. Quick action is essential to limit damage and protect the region’s future. Water and road infrastructure must be adapted with innovative solutions that will enable us to cope with the new climate reality.”
A CONCRETE ACTION: INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE
It is clear from the evidence of the numbers just reported that the maintenance of infrastructure networks is critical when it comes to road infrastructure and its ability to be resilient to the effects of climate change.
“The solutions exist, and they are many,” continues Valerio Molinari. “First of all, we need to plan and reshape maintenance by supporting it through solutions such as online cameras, weather stations, road load sensors, and advanced telematic systems that can regulate traffic flow and avoid congestion. Also important is the choice of new green plantings, which affects the state of preservation of road and highway infrastructure. Among the solutions we could think, for example, of native plants and trees in new plantings, rationalization and adjustment of maintenance planning, application of new study and control technologies to green maintenance, starting with drones and continuous monitoring of the state of vegetation.”