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Tunisia has emerged as one of the Mediterranean nation’s most at risk from the rising sea levels caused by global climate change, according to environmental specialist Hamdi Hachad. Speaking in an interview with Express FM, Hachad warned that if current climate trends persist, the country could see up to 7% of its coastline submerged in the coming decades.
Citing projections from the environmental platform Earth.org, which uses simulation models to assess the impacts of sea level rise by the year 2100, Hachad explained that scientific forecasts indicate a sea level increase of 1 meter under moderate climate scenarios, and as much as 3 meters in more extreme cases.
Such a rise would have devastating consequences for Tunisia’s coastal regions. Vulnerable areas include parts of the eastern shoreline of Tunis, as well as several highly populated and economically important zones such as:
- Raoued
- Gammarth-Beach
- El Mansoura
- Kalâat El Andalous
- Aousja
- Zouarine (Bizerte)
- Borj Cedria
- Hammam Chatt
- The southern suburbs of Tunis
Further south, Cap Bon, the northern coast of Sfax, and most notably the Kerkennah Islands face significant threats. The Kerkennah archipelago, in particular, has been singled out as the most vulnerable area in the country, due to its low elevation and fragile ecosystem.
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These findings underscore the urgent need for Tunisia to strengthen its climate resilience, invest in sustainable coastal development, and work alongside international partners to address the mounting risks posed by sea level rise.