THE ROLE OF THE EARTH SCIENTIST IN ASSESSING THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATIC CHANGES DUE TO THE GREENHOUSE-EFFECT - 2 CASE-STUDIES OF PROGNOSTIC GEOLOGY

The expected climatic change resulting from global warming due to the greenhouse effect causes worldwide concern. The main consequences of s uch climate changes include rises in temperature and sea level, and th e key role in predicting their impacts on an area falls to the earth s cientist. Such a study should include the description of the present e nvironmental physical parameters of the area, their behaviour and evol ution under the induced climatic scenario and suggestions as to the ac tion necessary to mitigate the impacts. Examples of two case studies f rom the Mediterranean, a deltaic lowland and an insular environment, a re cited. These two case studies can serve as examples of 'Prognostic Geology'. The methodology followed can be applied to other coastal are as that will be affected by a sea-level rise.