In the sphere of the active growth of the importance of globalization and industrial production, climate care is of great importance. Fast changes in the environment can seriously affect not only the climatic conditions and the sustainability of resources. Therefore, this essay draws attention to the climatic changes taking place in such a valuable territory as the Balkans, which is often overlooked by people. The main question asked by this research is the rate of origin of these transformations and how they can be prevented.
The Balkans
First of all, it is necessary to gain an understanding of what the Balkans are and why they are so valuable for preservation. Thus, the Balkans “are bordered on the northwest by Italy, on the north by Hungary, on the north and northeast by Moldova and Ukraine, and on the south by Greece and Turkey or the Aegean Sea” (Crampton, 2022). In addition to the large number of countries surrounding the Balkan territories, they are also surrounded by a large amount of water. Among them are the Adriatic Sea, the Ionian Sea, and the Black Sea. In addition, regarding the relief of the Balkans, their territory is dominated by a large number of mountains and hills, especially in the west, among which the northern boundary extends to the Julian Alps and the Carpathians (Fig. 1) (World Atlas, n.d.). This condition prevents the penetration of winds into the land of the Balkans, which means that they have a relatively small number of suitable arable regions.
The mountainous territory determines many features of the climate of the Balkan territory. Thus, they significantly affect the climate of the peninsula. Thus, the Northern and Central regions are characterized by a European climate, which is characterized by quite cold winters, warm summers, and a sufficiently large amount of rain. On the other hand, the South is characterized by Mediterranean climate, which has hot, dry summers and relatively rainy winters.
Effect of Climate Change
Having gained an understanding of the Balkan region and its geographical features, it is worth considering what changes the climate of this territory is experiencing and what influences it. Hence, due to the fact that many countries surround it, various industrial activities are widespread in this area. This implies both the extraction of rock and the cultivation of various crops on the ground, where possible.
The Western Balkans are the main region that is subject to fast changes in climatic conditions. Henceforth, in this area, there are significantly increased temperatures and the consequences that are associated with them. The main results of the research show that in all countries of the region, “the average annual temperature increased by 1.2 °C compared to 1970, with stabilization and the beginning of the decline which can be expected around 2040” (Knez, Štrbac, and Podbregar, 2021, p. 3). Knez, Štrbac, and Podbregar (2021) also pointed out that the main factors that make climate change faster are “industry, energy, and heating sector based on coal exploitation, low energy efficiency” (p. 3). This contributes to the desiccation of the land and reduces the ability to grow the necessary crops.
Moreover, elevated temperatures can result from an increase in wildfires, which will not only destroy plants but also cause the extinction of animal species. In cold seasons, there may also be a decrease in the degree of snow cover and an increase in the amount of flooding with the onset of the spring months. All these circumstances cause a violation of ecosystem functioning. These circumstances are characterized by a fairly rapid flow, which determines the necessity of finding solutions to the problem.
The main reason for these happening climate issues is the insufficiently thought-out policies and practices of countries engaged in production activities in the Balkans. According to the sources studied, new climate changes occur annually in the Balkans (Knez, Štrbac, and Podbregar, 2021). One of the initiatives that can prevent rapid climate change in the Balkans is cross-border cooperation. Research stated that it “could be the catalyst to stop the ecosystem degradation and develop the basis for a more sustainable development paradigm” (Vulevic, A. et al., 2021, p. 290). This is because, despite the European Union’s strategies, they cannot have efficiency if other countries carrying out activities in the Balkans will not be involved. Therefore, cross-border cooperation implies attracting significant investments, research, and conducting examinations that will determine the main factors of harmful influence.
Resource Sustainability
The result of multiple and rapid climate changes in the Balkans is an increased concern about the sustainability of resources. This is due to the fact that this land is rich not only in valuable rocks and minerals but also in multiple crops. Mineral resources include copper, chromite, lead, and zinc (UNEP, n.d.). The primary resources that are under threat of decline are agriculture, water resources, and forest. This is due to the fact that, due to the land characteristics and the predominance of mountains and hills, they are already within a specific limit. Improper human activity and climate change further limit data resources and pose challenges for defining sustainability policies.
As with climate change, countries must come together to develop strategies to maintain the valuable resources of the Balkans. First of all, this implies the introduction of legislative measures to restrict industrial activity in such a way as to preserve the natural state of the earth without harming the economies of countries (Gomes and Resende, 2019). In particular, this aspect concerns mining practices, which are most common in the region. In addition, attention should be paid to the development of policies to restore the resources of the Balkans and maintain their sustainability. This also implies investing in local projects aimed at preserving the nature of the territories.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Balkan Islands have a special value for many countries that surround it and produce industrial and agricultural activities on its territories. However, in this region, especially in the western part, rapid climate changes are happening, which directly affect the sustainability of resources. Therefore, the countries should cooperate and develop policies and legislative acts that will contribute to improving these aspects and preserve the economy of the Balkan territories.
Reference List
Balkan Mountains (n.d.) Web.
Crampton, R.J. Balkans (2022) Web.
Gomes, C. and Resende, T.M. (2019) ‘The European Union accession and climate change policies in the Western Balkan countries,’ In Climate Change and Global Development. Springer, pp. 153-173.
Knez, S., Štrbac, S. and Podbregar, I. (2022) ‘Climate change in the Western Balkans and EU Green Deal: status, mitigation and challenges,’ Energy, Sustainability and Society, 12(1), pp. 1-14.
Mining and environment in the Western Balkans (n.d.). Web.
Vulevic, A. et al. (2021) ‘Cross-border cooperation and adaptation to climate change in western