As the global population surges past 8 billion, the strain on Earth’s finite resources grows more acute with each passing year. The numbers are stark: by 2100, we may add another 3 billion people to the planet, pushing urbanization rates to 70% by 2050. These demographic shifts, compounded by rising consumption and technological advancement, are accelerating climate change in ways that demand urgent attention—not least for industries like energy, where adaptation could mean the difference between resilience and disruption.
Hajri Haska, a researcher at the Agricultural University of Tirana’s Department of Forestry, has spent years examining how these forces intersect, particularly in vulnerable ecosystems. In a recent study published in the *Albanian Journal of Natural and Technical Sciences* (translated as *Revista Shqiptare e Shkencave Natyrore dhe Teknike*), Haska warns that the Mediterranean—including Albania, where forests cover 46% of the land—faces disproportionate risks from climate change. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and encroaching sea levels threaten not just biodiversity but also the commercial frameworks that depend on stable environmental conditions.
“Forests are not just carbon sinks; they are economic stabilizers,” Haska notes. “When their health declines, so does the predictability of industries tied to water, agriculture, and even energy infrastructure.”
The stakes for the energy sector are particularly high. Hydropower, a cornerstone of Albania’s renewable energy strategy, relies on consistent precipitation and river flow. Yet climate models project reduced rainfall in the region, potentially shrinking output from key dams. Meanwhile, thermal power plants—even those fueled by renewables like biomass—face supply chain disruptions if forests degrade and wood sourcing becomes unreliable.
Haska’s research underscores a critical insight: adaptation isn’t optional. Vertical migration of plant species, extended growing seasons, and even species extinction could reshape landscapes in ways that ripple through supply chains. For energy companies, this means rethinking infrastructure siting, diversifying fuel sources, and investing in drought-resistant reforestation programs.
The study’s findings arrive as policymakers in Albania and beyond grapple with balancing development and environmental stewardship. With forests covering 0.52 hectares per person globally—and far less in densely populated regions—Haska argues that the window for proactive adaptation is narrowing.
“Waiting for perfect data is a luxury we don’t have,” he says. “The energy sector, in particular, must act now to integrate climate resilience into long-term planning—or risk playing catch-up when the next crisis hits.”