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Climate Change in Barcelona: What does it really look like?

Updated: Nov 24, 2022

Spain is home to the fifth largest GDP in Europe due to their highly developed social market economy. Spain's exceptional capture of the wave of tourism from the 1960s/1970s has lead the country down a road of success. Spain presents itself across the media as the home to sun-kissed beaches, excellent gastronomy and latin culture. Yet, the country as a whole, fails to address its ongoing climate problems. Since Greta Thumberg's activism in 2020 the world has undergone an environmental awakening. People have become willing to fight for change and further develop their environmental consciousness. Following the forthcoming of a new "eco-friendly" era I can't help but ask myself as a resident of Barcelona, "what does climate change in Barcelona really look like?




Marine plastic pollution


The heart of Spanish cuisine, seafood, has taken a detrimental turn in the culinary world following the frightening increase of microplastics found in the guts of sea creatures such as fish and calamari. According to "the conversation", approximately one in four fish consume plastic. Barcelona, in particular, which is infamous for it's clear-watered Mediterranean beaches have started to overflow with one-use plastics and foam. A study from "Reuters" claims that in a sample from October 2021 volunteers "managed to find 70,000 plastic bits, including foam, polystyrene, fragments of water bottle caps or polyethylene bags". Marine plastic pollution in particular contributes to climate change because plastic emits greenhouse gases as they decompose.


Rising sea levels


Barcelona's gorgeous beaches have become some of the most charming aspects of the city. Yet, their geographical location makes way for all sorts of problems with the development of climate change. Due to the water's close proximity with the city, Barcelona is considered to be one of the cities which will be affected the most with rising sea levels. Coastal, as well as urban areas in Barcelona, are at risk of being submerged by the coastal lines. According to "The Local" there has been an "average global rise from 1900 to 2016 estimated to have been between 16 and 21 cm". Those taking part in the port sector in Barcelona will be forced to adapt to the new sea levels and will face numerous economic losses. There has also been an increase in flooding in Barcelona since 1981.


Hotter Days and Nights


An increase in temperature has also become one of the most detrimental side effects in the development of climate change. Spain has always been climatically hot, however, with the increase of climate change Spain has started to endure a dangerous amount of heat in the past few years. Barcelona has experienced rising temperatures that could potentially harm inhabitant's health and quality of life.


What can we do about it?


Together we can fight against climate change in order to impede the destruction of our natural capital! Helping our earth maintain its natural resources is essential and can be prevented by several simple daily tasks. Activities such as recycling (correctly), using less CO2, reducing your waste, switching to eco-friendly products as opposed to products that use harmful oils such as palm oil, reusing materials when possible and giving back to non-profit organizations.





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