20. April, 2021
To increase awareness of the future devastating effects of rising sea and water levels, primary school pupils from Koper and Piran have launched a campaign to record the highest sea levels during the flood season, under the mentorship of geography teachers and in cooperation with the Slovenian Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia (ARSO).

Ten centimeters in half a century

The level of the Adriatic Sea has been rising faster than the level of any other sea in the last two decades. From 1960 to 2015, the mean sea level along the Slovenian coast rose by 10 cm, which is why the local population has been experiencing increased flooding of the coastal urban zone. According to experts, this phenomenon is attributable to both global sea-level rise and weather conditions in the region.

Youth, water and EUSAIR was a side event of the traditional Mediterranean Coast and Macro-regional Strategies Week 2020, organized by the ARSO in partnership with the local community. Children from primary and secondary schools in Koper and Piran and their mentors, teachers of Geography, showcased the impact of sea and water on selected sites. The awareness raising programme called “Climate change education for climate change adaptation” also marked an international conference of teachers “Climate change” in Štanjel, which was carried out by the Slovenian Geography Teachers’ Association in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning.

Residents of coastal towns are frequently faced with adverse impact of dynamics of sea and water, usually in the form of flooding of coastal areas. By placing high water marks that show the highest levels reached by the sea during floods, young people from Koper and Piran wished to draw attention to likely future adverse effects of sea and water if communities do not join forces to act in a preventive and active manner and build flood resilience. Izola, another Slovenian coastal town already has a high water mark placed in the backyard of Rex Gallery.

The described work will continue through the 3rd International Conference on 23-24 April 2021 and be a side event of the 6th EUSAIR Forum – Installation of a high-water tablet.

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Slovenia started its Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region with the 2nd International Conference of Geography Teachers – “Climate change adaptation” and wishes to also conclude in the same manner. The 3rd International Conference will take place on 23-24 April 2021 and its purpose will be concluded by a side event of 6th EUSAIR Forum – “Installation of a high water tablet”.