Cyprus beaches face threat from rising sea levels

Half of the island's beaches could disappear within the next 50 years

Climate scientist Dr Giorgos Zittis warns of the dangers of climate change

Half of Cyprus' beaches could disappear within the next 50 years due to rising sea levels, a climate scientist has warned.

Dr Giorgos Zittis, from the Cyprus Institute, said that the island's beaches are particularly vulnerable to climate change because they are low-lying and sandy.

"The beaches of Cyprus are a major tourist attraction, and they are also important for the local economy," Dr Zittis said.

"But if sea levels continue to rise, these beaches will be lost, and it will have a devastating impact on the island's tourism industry."

Dr Zittis's warning comes as the world prepares for the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, which will take place in December.

The conference is expected to adopt a new global agreement on climate change, which will set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Dr Zittis said that the conference is a crucial opportunity for the world to take action on climate change.

"We need to act now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change," he said.

"If we don't, we will face the consequences, and one of those consequences will be the loss of our beaches."