CLIMATE CHANGE Ten Proposals for Business Adaptation to Longer, Hotter, and Stormier Summers

In recent days, we have been bombarded with warnings of yet another heatwave. Along the Adriatic, temperatures have not dropped to a somewhat pleasant level even at night, which is why air conditioning units in tourist centers have been buzzing even in the middle of the night. The summer coming to an end could be indicative of climate change, which is no longer an optional projection of the future but has become a reality and the present. This imposes the imperative that we will have to learn to live and work in new conditions, in longer and hotter summers with a greater risk of dangerous storms with hurricane winds and extreme rainfall threatening floods. Changes will affect everyone – households, the state with its institutions, and the business community.

For example, summer electricity consumption has surpassed winter consumption in recent years, which means there are more and more air-conditioned spaces. In combination with the increase in consumption for charging ‘electric’ cars, the state will need to strengthen the electricity system.

Below we present a list of possible changes that await us due to climate change, with the caveat that this is just a sketch of what lies ahead.

1. Sea Level Rise

It is estimated that the level of the Adriatic will rise by half a meter in the next fifty years. A particular challenge is how to adapt life in all coastal towns and islands that will be partially submerged. What will happen to port infrastructure, and is this being taken into account in major investments in the port of Rijeka? How will shipyards be restructured, which will lose a good part of the desperately needed space? Apartments ‘in the first row to the sea’ are also at risk, as well as the promenades of many places, such as Zadar with attractions like the Greeting to the Sun and the Sea Organ.

2. Flood Defense

Regulating waterways and building sea embankments must become a priority to avoid repeating the negligence seen with the embankments damaged in the earthquake on December 29, 2020, which have not been repaired in the meantime, causing the area to be flooded two and a half years later. In this context, urban drainage systems, incapable of absorbing the increasingly extreme amounts of rainfall, need to be adapted as soon as possible.

3. Seasonal Changes

Shifting the peak tourist season from July and August towards autumn, as well as the possible construction of new fully air-conditioned resorts.

Greater affirmation of mountain tourism (especially in summer, in the cooler areas of Lika and Gorski Kotar); shifting the main construction season to cooler months, and if necessary and possible, to early morning hours, perhaps even at night.

A new school year calendar should be considered.

Fashion seasons spring/summer and autumn/winter will be replaced by a spring-autumn collection.

4. Working Hours

An earlier start to work in the summer months would certainly bring employers lower energy consumption for air conditioning units, and perhaps even greater employee productivity.

Although it may seem excessive to some, the possibility of split shifts in summer with a mandatory siesta, or a break after lunch (2 PM – 5 PM?) should be considered. After all, long ago, most shops operated in line with the siesta – in two shifts.

Perhaps beach cafes would also benefit more from adjusted working hours of 7 AM – 11 AM and 6 PM – 10 PM instead of the current usual 11 AM – 7 PM, especially if tourists come to the beach in earlier morning or later evening hours.

There is also the possibility that the term for a later dinner will take hold in Croatia, following the example of other Mediterranean countries like Italy or Spain, which could be a signal for restaurateurs.

5. New Standards in Construction

Storm-resistant construction, exclusively in areas safe from floods (or from sea level rise), along with new energy standards (solar energy, new air conditioning and air purification systems, passive buildings…).

6. Menu Changes

High temperatures and increased humidity will reduce the need for meat consumption, especially red meat, with an increasing share of lighter food, i.e., Mediterranean menus with more fish and vegetables.

7. New Agricultural Production

Tax incentives for irrigation along with favoring crops that can yield two plantings/harvests: corn, wheat, barley, oats, rye, soybeans, sunflowers…; reduced meat production, especially pork and beef, with an increase in chicken meat; increased production of plant proteins. There are opportunities for additional mushroom cultivation, as well as seaweed, which is a valued ingredient in Asian cuisine due to its nutritional value. Some seaweeds were eaten in the past on our islands and coasts (as older residents still testify). However, there are no underwater sea farms in our country. State permits for concession production, very high initial investments, a too small market, and unknown technology are the main reasons why their production for food has not yet started in Croatia. The Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries has launched a project to research and register edible Adriatic algae.

8. Change in Assortment

Air conditioning units and their service providers will become increasingly sought after, as well as unique heating and cooling systems, as well as cooling outdoor spaces and installing awnings and shades. The need for coats (made of natural and artificial fur) and other heavy coats, as well as generally winter clothing and footwear, will decrease, while the market demand for summer assortments will increase. Fruit juices could expand the market, and the beer industry will also benefit. Chocolate factories will face a more complicated market with a shorter season and shorter shelf life as chocolate products will be harder to preserve outside controlled conditions that prevail in most stores, in apartments, and in customers’ homes. There could be an increase in demand for other, temperature-sensitive or frozen desserts and ice cream.

9. New Jobs

Energy specialists who optimize energy use and environmental experts who will reduce the carbon footprint in larger companies will be joined by climatologists. All of them will have their share of expertise in launching new products and assessing their lifespan, while smaller companies will outsource such jobs.

10. News in Healthcare

Preparations for longer-lasting and higher-quality protection against UV radiation; health education – from classic warnings about avoiding sun exposure from 11 AM to 5 PM and the need to consume larger amounts of fluids to nutritional recommendations and suggestions for appropriate sports activities during high heat, as well as psychological advice for living in new climatic conditions.