Exploring the Evolution of Cyprus’ Climate Through the Centuries: A Journey Through Time

Climate change is hitting Cyprus hard. As summer approaches in 2025, the island faces severe challenges: wildfires, heatwaves, and dwindling water reserves, down to just 26 percent in its reservoirs.

“I’m genuinely worried about the health risks linked to climate change,” stated Health Minister Michael Damianos during a recent meeting on smaller nations’ climate issues. His concern reflects the reality that climate change is not a far-off issue; it’s impacting lives right now.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, 2024 was the hottest year recorded globally. This pressing reality has prompted researchers to explore Cyprus’ climate history to understand its past and prepare for the future.

Recent studies by scholars at the University of Nicosia and the French University of Rouen reveal how historical climate changes have shaped the island over the last 700 years. Their research, part of the HIGH PASM project, combines data from various sources, including mineral deposits found in caves, historical weather records, and satellite imagery. This multifaceted approach has allowed them to identify patterns of climate changes that have historically affected both social structures and the natural environment of Cyprus.

Over the past seven centuries, Cyprus has experienced three major climate phases. The first, from 1344 to 1510, showed a cycle of long dry spells alternating with short wet periods. This made agriculture challenging and increased societal stress. The second phase, from 1510 to 1800, was marked by consistent rainfall, enhancing agricultural productivity and population growth.

Since 1800, however, a stark trend has emerged: longer and more severe droughts. This trend aligns with current climate concerns. The researchers noted that the last 25 years have been particularly dry, although they couldn’t definitively link this to human actions. Nevertheless, extensive studies indicate that current climate change is largely driven by human activities, underscoring our responsibility in this crisis.

Carole Nehme, a researcher involved in the study, explained that climate affects not just the environment but also human dynamics and policies. For example, periods of rapid climate change have led to outbreaks of disease and food shortages, as seen in the 16th and 18th centuries with locust invasions and famines coinciding with abrupt shifts in weather.

Furthermore, during the Venetian rule from 1489 to 1571, wetter conditions transformed Cyprus’ vegetation and waterways, leading to increased soil erosion and flash floods. These historically rooted changes remind us that our responses to climate challenges must involve understanding the past.

The findings of the HIGH PASM project could guide modern policies for climate resilience. They show that climate shifts significantly influence land use, societal dynamics, and infrastructure planning. The interplay between climate and society highlights the need for responsible governance to tackle contemporary issues.

In summary, Cyprus’ historical climate patterns offer vital insights for the future. As we continue to face climate change, understanding how communities adapted—or struggled—through past challenges can inform our efforts in creating a climate-resilient society today.

The HIGH PASM project has been a collaboration among researchers focused on understanding climate variability over centuries to reduce vulnerabilities in modern Cypriot life. Their work exemplifies the critical need for a multidisciplinary approach to face the climate crisis.

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