Pyr茅n茅es could become a local climate refuge
Temperatures in the Pyr茅n茅es could rise more than 7C by the end of the century, according to new predictions published by climate scientists.
In a worst-case scenario the cross-border research project revealed temperatures would increase by between 4.3C and 7.1C. In the best-case scenario 鈥� even if ambitious global targets set by the Paris Accord are met 鈥� they will rise by 1.6 - 3.5C
Samuel Morin, director of the Centre d鈥橢tudes de la Neige and a member of the research team, told Connexion: 鈥淲e cannot predict how humanity will change its greenhouse gas emissions in the 21st century.
鈥淪o we looked at so-called 鈥榦ptimistic鈥� scenarios, of massive reductions in emissions, which limit global warming to around 2C by the end of the century, compared to the pre-industrial period in the 19th century, and more 鈥榩essimistic鈥� or 鈥榬ealistic鈥� scenarios.
鈥淭he increase in temperature will have direct or indirect consequences for multiple sectors and ecosystems.
鈥淣ow work needs to be continued to better measure the impacts.鈥�
He added: 鈥淓ven with a sharp increase, air temperature will generally remain below that of the plain, and mountains could play a role as a climatic refuge for those who live in surrounding plains.
鈥淭his is already been observed in the case of heatwaves, with an increase in the number of nights that people spend in the mountains.鈥�
