ULPGC researchers warn of potentially catastrophic loss of Canary coastline due to global warming

Several IOCAG members were among a group of ULPGC researchers who during a media briefing last week warned of the scientific evidence pointing to a "total loss of Canary coastal areas" in the future caused by global warning.
IOCAG director, Alonso Hernández Guerra, stated that between 1900 and 2000, the sea level had increased by 20cm, at a rate of 2mm per year but since 2000, that figure had accelerated by more than 50%. He put forward that as oceanic islands, the Canaries could function as a laboratory to put into practice measures to mitigate the effects of climate change.
While Inmaculada Menéndez, leader of IOCAG's Geology Division indicated that, with a flooded coastal area, the region would be come the most arid in Spain with the dust-laden Calima wind contributing to this phenomenon, Melchor González Dávila talked about the effects of CO2. He pointed out that 30% of CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere through human activity is absorbed by the ocean. Although this helps to keep the planet's temperatures down, ocean acidity levels are rising, the effects of which are being observed in marine organisms and along the food chain.

Full reports can be found in the following publications:
Efe, La Provincia and Canarias 7 newspapers.