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Malas Warns: Rising Sea Levels Threaten Half of Cyprus's Beaches

Published February 25, 2026, 15:09
Malas Warns: Rising Sea Levels Threaten Half of Cyprus's Beaches

Dr. Stavros Malas warned that a one-meter rise in sea levels by the end of the century will threaten half of Cyprus's beaches if immediate action is not taken. The warning was made at the opening of an international conference on natural resource management in Nicosia. Dr. Malas also referred to the impending crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean due to climate change, with a predicted temperature increase of 3-5 degrees and extreme weather events. The conference focuses on the “Water, Energy, Food, Ecosystems (WEFE NEXUS) in the Mediterranean Route,” aiming to promote integrated solutions for the sustainable management of natural resources. Environmental Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou emphasized the importance of implementing the strategy for natural resource management and the need for a reliable regional action framework with measurable results. The conference seeks to strengthen cooperation between governments, the scientific community, international organizations, and funding bodies. The goal is to implement an integrated action framework for the sustainable management of natural resources and to ensure water, food, and energy, with respect for the environment and an emphasis on climate resilience. The discussion focuses on the interconnected challenges facing the Mediterranean, such as water scarcity, energy transition, food security, and climate change, seeking realistic solutions for sustainable resource management.