IGOP researchers Ismael Blanco, Joan Subirats, Ricard Gomà and Oriol Nel·lo, in addition to the former director of our institute, Quim Brugué, have participated as invited experts in the 1st Expert Conference: Climate Change and Territory in the Iberian Mediterranean. Scientific evidence, effects, strategies and recommendations” held at the University of Valencia on January 30 and 31.
The conference, organized by UV Geography Professors Joan Romero and Ana Camarasa, aimed to analyze the causes and consequences of climate change in this region, especially after the disaster of the 29th of October. More than seventy specialists from different Valencian, Catalan, Murcian and Andalusian universities debated the effects of climate change on extreme phenomena, water management, desertification, fires, tourism, agriculture, urban planning and governance. IGOP researchers contributed to the presentations on territorial planning, territorial governance, and education, communication and citizen participation.
Each presentation concluded with five specific recommendations, totaling around sixty proposals that will be sent to political institutions to influence decision-making. The conference seeks to establish a dialogue between science and politics to improve territorial resilience.
With a view to continuity, it is expected that this event will be held every two years in different research centers in the Mediterranean, expanding its scope to other regions of the basin to promote international collaboration and the implementation of effective policies.
IGOP’s participation was reflected in the following presentations:
→ The uses of the territory. Territorial planning, urban planning and metropolitan areas
Participants: Oriol Nel.lo, Julia Salom, José Vicente Sánchez, Ivan Murray and Joan Vicente
→ Communication, education, participation and socio-territorial resilience
Participants: María Dolores Pitarch, Ismael Blanco, Joaquim Brugué, Beatriz Gallardo, Carolina Moreno, Álvaro Morote and María Josep Picó
→ Governance and public policies
Participants: Joan Romero, Joaquín Farinós, Antonio Serrano, Joan Subirats, Ricard Gomà, Reyes Marzal and Andrés Boix
Background
IGOP has experience in the analysis and implementation of risk prevention policies.
In this sense, the CAPFLO project stands out, focused on promoting participatory capacity-building processes for flood mitigation at the local level.
You can find the conclusions of the study at this link.
English version.
Deutsch version.
Dutch version.
French version.
Italian version.
Spanish version.
In the media
The news has been covered in the media. Here are some of the news and references published:
- El País: In an article titled “An expert warns that DANAs will be potentially more destructive”, the scientists’ proposal to create a climate change and meteorological risks observatory to monitor the climate emergency in the Spanish Mediterranean region is highlighted. It is also warned that, although DANAs will not be more frequent, they will be more destructive due to the increase in resource consumption and waste production by the growing global population.
- Cadena SER: In the article “Jaime Martínez: ‘The mud from the DANA was fertile soil that ended up causing disaster due to poor land management'”, Jaime Martínez Valderrama, an expert in desertification, points out that the mud resulting from the recent DANA was fertile soil, whose poor land management has caused disasters. He highlights the importance of land management as a key factor in desertification.
- El País: In another article entitled “Joan Romero: ‘La dana requiere un plan Marshall'”, Joan Romero, professor of Human Geography at the University of Valencia, states that the Valencian Community needs a Marshall Plan after the largest natural catastrophe, with an estimated impact of 20,000 million euros. He underlines the importance of institutional loyalty and the sense of State, and criticizes the lack of coordination between administrations.
- La Vanguardia: The article “More than 70 experts analyze the effects of climate change in the Mediterranean in Valencia” highlights the meeting of more than 70 specialists at the University of Valencia to analyze the effects of climate change in the Iberian Mediterranean. The event, promoted by Joan Romero and Ana Camarasa, brings together renowned specialists in climate and its relationship with natural disasters, water management, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and governance.
- El Periòdic: The article “The UV organizes the 1st Conference of Experts on Climate Change and Territory in the Iberian Mediterranean” details the organization of the conference by the University of Valencia, which brings together more than 70 specialists to analyze global warming and issue recommendations. The conclusions will be presented to the Cortes Generales and the regional parliaments.
