- Adapting to climate change is no longer an option, it is a necessity; coastal areas are on the front line against extreme weather events such as storms
- The recent activation of a coastal phenomena pre-alert in the Canary Islands highlights the urgency of implementing sustainable solutions like those proposed by the European project
Brussels, April 7th, 2025. Today, Monday, April 7th, 2025, we celebrate World Health Day, a day dedicated to human well-being. On this important day, the European project LIFE COSTAdapta reminds us that health does not depend solely on hospitals and medicine, but also on the environment we live in. This year, this symbolic day coincides with the activation of a pre-alert for coastal phenomena across the Canary Islands, declared today by the regional government due to rough sea conditions and forecasts of strong waves. The Government of the Canary Islands, through the General Directorate for Emergencies, activated this pre-alert based on information from the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and in accordance with the Canary Islands’ Specific Emergency Plan for Adverse Weather Phenomena (PEFMA). A worsening of sea conditions is expected, especially affecting the coasts of La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote. This new situation adds to the recent impact of storm Konrad in March, which brought heavy rains and dangerous, powerful waves. Waves, flooding, and coastal overflow can cause material damage, but also have an impact on the mental and physical health of people particularly in the most vulnerable areas.
In this context, LIFE COSTAdapta stands as a key initiative to implement nature-based solutions aimed at strengthening the resilience of coastal areas in the face of climate change. These actions seek not only to protect the environment but also the health and well-being of marine biodiversity and local communities. The link between environmental health and human health is undeniable: population exposure to risks such as flooding, water pollution, and biodiversity loss are events that can affect public health. Initiatives like this project are fundamental to ensuring a safe and healthy environment.
About LIFE COSTAdapta
LIFE COSTAdapta is a European project aimed at creating a system of tidal pool reefs, a nature-based solution that combines marine ecosystem restoration with coastal protection. These reefs, which function as natural barriers, act as buffers against the force of waves and storms, reducing coastal erosion and protecting nearby infrastructures.
Additionally, tidal-pool reefs create habitats for a wide variety of marine species, contributing to local biodiversity and the health of marine ecosystems. This approach not only improves coastal resilience but also offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to address the challenges of climate change in coastal areas.
The project is led by the Gran Canaria Island Energy Council and has a total budget of €3,409,864, of which 60% is funded by the European Union. The consortium behind this initiative is made up of 7 partners: the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the University of Cantabria, INGECID, Raley Coastal Studies, ECOncrete, the Canary Foundation for Recycling and Sustainable Development, and the Finnova Foundation.