Alonso Miguel highlights measures to combat climate change

June 17, 2021

On World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, the Regional Secretary for Environment and Climate Change assured that he is aware of the need to prevent natural phenomena, which are increasingly common in the region as a result of global climate change.

In this sense, this Regional Secretariat is implementing several measures, namely through the Regional Program for Climate Change, whose implementation is supported by the LIFE IP CLIMAZ project, which will have “about 20 million euros to invest in the implementation of measures in this matter ”, said the government official in an interview to Antena 1 Açores, today in Horta.

At the same time, a number of projects are underway that allow greater preservation of our natural heritage and combating climate change. “And on this World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, I would highlight the work that has been carried out in terms of the recovery of peatlands in Terceira, Faial, Pico and Flores, within the scope of the LIFE IP AZORES NATURA project, which is extremely important” highlighted Alonso Miguel.

The Regional Secretary for Environment and Climate Change also stated that “Peatlands are wetland ecosystems that cover about 40% of our protected areas, which act as sponges, retaining water, allowing its infiltration and making this water available in aquifers and , therefore, it has this double value in terms of combating climate change, either by capturing carbon from the atmosphere or by making water available in the ground for supply”.

The Region is preparing the Azores Drought and Water Scarcity Management Plan, which will be completed by the beginning of next year, and which will allow the systematization of the procedures to be adopted in the event of a threat of drought and in a situation of scarcity of water, ensuring an effective and adequate response to each of the islands of the Archipelago.

The government official also recalled that it is essential to continue to make the population aware of the importance of an efficient and sustainable use of natural resources, with a special focus on water.