This presentation is addressed to the subnational authorities of the coastal departments of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. The main goal is to present the expected impacts climate change will have in those areas, as well as those already occurring, in order to highlight the importance of creating a training, communication and awareness program for the private sector, the civil society, the academic sector and the general public of the coastal departments as an important measure prior and/or complimentary to the implementation of specific adaptation and mitigation actions.

1. The impacts of climate change in the
coastal area of Uruguay
An educational proposal

2. Geography
 Uruguay is located in the east side
of South America. It is bordered by
Brazil, Argentina, the broad estuary
of the River Plate and the Atlantic
Ocean. It has a land area of
178,000 km2 and other 138,000
km2 of territorial waters. Uruguay's
coastal area is about 680 km long.

3. Map of Uruguay

4. Population
 Uruguay has a population of 3,241,003
inhabitants, more than 90% of which are
concentrated in the capital Montevideo and
about 20 cities with over 5,000 inhabitants,
resulting in vast rural areas with very low
population density, particularly in the north of
the territory.
 Almost 70% of the population is concentrated
in the coastal departments (from West to East:
Colonia, San José, Montevideo, Canelones,
Maldonado and Rocha). Internal migration
from the capital to the coastal areas of San

5. Economy
 From an economic point of view, coastal
ecosystems play an essential role in the
national economy. More than 70% of the
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the
country is generated and depends on
the activities carried out in the coastal
departments: national and international
tourism, real estate development, small-
scale industrial fishing, navigation and
port services.

6. Map of the coastal area

7. Uruguay and Climate Change
today
 Although a minor contributor to global warming due to
its size, relatively low population density and low level
of industrialization, Uruguay is likely to be significantly
affected by global climate change.
 Long-term changes in climate and coastal
environment trends have already been verified: an
increase of 200 mm of rain falling in Montevideo since
1883, particularly in the period 1961-1990; an
increase of 0.5°C in air temperature and a decrease
of 0.5 mm Hg in atmospheric pressure; a growing
trend in average summer temperatures in the period
1961-1990; an increase of 30% in the flow of the
River Plate in recent decades; a reduction of the
annual salinity of the Uruguayan coast; a sea level
rise of 11 cm between 1902 and 2003; an increase of
the frequency and intensity of extreme events.

8. Uruguay and Climate Change
tomorrow
 As for the temperature, Uruguay is likely to
experience growth rates with variations from
0.3 to 0.5 ° C by 2020 and 1.0 to 2.5 ° C by
2050. Rain will continue its upward trend,
although at a lower growth rate than
observed. Sea level would rise between 5 and
10 cm to the 2020s and between 12 and 20
cm for the decade of 2050. Extreme events
(rainfall and strong winds) will continue to
increase.

9. The tourism sector
 Tourism is the prime economic activity in the coastal area
of the country.
 The World Tourism Organization (WTO) has determined
that tourism is the primary source of foreign exchange
earnings in 46 of the 50 Least Developed Countries of the
World.
Tourism plays an important role in reducing poverty
through the generation of employment and business
opportunities; in turn, it is called to contribute to the
sustainable development and the achievement of the
Millennium Development Goals.
 Nevertheless, this requires the sector to adapt to changing
climate and, equally important, reduce the contribution
made to climate change through emissions of greenhouse
gases.

10. Climate Change and Tourism
 According to ECLAC, at first it is
estimated a greater flow of tourists in
search of sun and beaches as a result of
rising temperatures, but a decline in
tourism due to erosion and flooding
since 2050.
 There will be increasing flooding and
beach erosion, which will bring
destruction of homes and infrastructure
and flooding of land.

11. Punta del Este, Uruguay

12. Adaptation
 It is estimated that the capacity to adapt
to climate change varies according
different factors. Information
requirements, policy changes and
investments needed for effective
adaptation by tourist destinations, in
some cases, require decades and,
therefore, there is need for rapid action
to those destinations where it is
expected that an impact occurs by mid-
century.

13. Education, Communication,
Awareness
 The generation and dissemination of new information for
the management of climate risks is a high priority. Climate
change is not just a challenge for governments and the
tourism sector; the participation of the tourism industry as
well as the civil society and the academic sector is also
crucial.
 A training, communication and awareness plan addressed
to each of these groups should be created, containing
information about the risks of climate change, the
adaptation measures needed and suggested mitigation
actions.
 Effective communication of scientifically proven information
is essential to strengthen capabilities to develop plans for
adaptation and mitigation.
 Information kits, targeted public meetings, focus groups,
incorporating the theme to the curricula of primary and
secondary education.

14. References
 Turn Down the Heat: Why a 4°C World Must Be
Avoided | World Bank, 2012
 Project document: PIMS 3690 URU/07/G32
“Implementación de medidas piloto de adaptación
al cambio climático en áreas costeras del
Uruguay”
 MVOTMA (2011): “Cambio Climático y Turismo:
Medidas de Adaptación y Mitigación”
 http://www.cepal.org/es/comunicados/cepal-
aborda-paradojas-y-desafios-del-impacto-
economico-y-social-del-cambio-climatico-en