The AZTI technology centre has numbered the impact of climate change on the Basque coast in a recent report. Since 1990, sea levels have risen from 1.5 to 3.5 centimetres per decade and forecasts indicate that sea level rises can range from 50 to 65 centimetres by the end of this century. In the words of Guillem Chust, coordinator of AZTI’s Climate Change area, sea level growth will mean “the loss of most beaches, marshes and prairies.” The report of the technology centre proposes adaptation measures to minimise damage.

This increase affects not only beaches, marshes and grasslands, but also critical coastal infrastructures, with significant damage to ports, dykes and sea walks. An increase in the extreme height of the waves has also been observed, especially in the southeast. AZTI stresses that they are “critical conclusions”.

Oceans and meters

Oceans are a key agent in global climate regulation. AZTI has shown its commitment to analyse how climate change affects the oceans through scientific methods. To achieve this, they have compiled a large amount of information from a database to assess storms and forecast how they will affect coastal areas. They also have sensors to measure the action of waves in coastal structures, computer models simulating floods and an early warning system to prevent damage to waves and floods.