Drought and climate crisis: all the connections

Increasingly frequent water shortages, including in Italy. Damage to agriculture and the economy. What we can all do to combat drought.

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drought and climate crisis, water crisis, climate change
From Morocco, where water in the basins has collapsed by 89 percent, toItaly, where in the northern regions over 2 billion cubic meters of water are missing. So much so that in Veneto it has been declared a state of water crisisBut what are the relationships between drought e climate crisisHow does the first arise from the second?

DROUGHT AND CLIMATE CRISIS

Drought is a pipe dream resulting from a succession of severe heat waves and a persistent lack of rain . At the same time, we are also currently witnessing an outbreak of severe floods and unpredictable storms. Both phenomena are simply two sides of the same coin and stem from the same global issue: climate change.

The damage to both agriculture and the national and international economy is enormous, and alternative solutions to reverse this process are still far from fully effective. This is also because the transition to more eco-sustainable methods that help reduce waste of raw materials is lagging behind current events. Furthermore, it must not be forgotten that failure to limit global temperature rise to 1,5°C would have disastrous effects, leading to serious food shortages and irreversible water crises.

drought and climate crisis, dry river, desertification

DROUGHT AND EXTREME EVENTS

The growing desertification and the increase in drought in the driest areas of the planet, but also in unexpected areas such as in Northern Italy, have a catastrophic impact on the economy and seriously affect the already unstable condition of millions of people already in situations of extreme poverty. Certainly theSub-Saharan Africa It is the country that suffers most from such disasters. But today, the entire world must fight to ensure that extreme events do not irreversibly disrupt everyone's lives.
Da drought e climate change there will certainly be a radical and inexorable transformation of the mediterraneanAccording to the latest Report IPCC on 'Europe and the MediterraneanTemperatures in the Mediterranean region have risen 1,5°C above pre-industrial levels. This is a worrying level considering that the established limit is already being exceeded. The following report also analyzes four key risk categories for Europe:
  • Risks caused by heat waves on populations, with deaths, and terrestrial and marine ecosystems with a reduction in habitats and greater extinction;
  • Dangers for agriculture and the agri-food supply chain due to water crises and the continuation of heat waves and droughts;
  • Risks of water scarcity, as currently in the North East of Italy, but which will be increasingly evident and damaging;
  • Risks due to increased frequency of floods, severe coastal, river and rain flooding;

The effects of climate change and drought are clear, but now it's up to each of us to find alternatives to waste less , be more eco-sustainable and respect the environment and the planet.

THE MAP OF DROUGHT IN ITALY

For nearly four months, some Italian cities, especially in northern Italy, have experienced a lack of rainfall. This is alarming considering that the drought on the Po River and the water crisis in Veneto are nearly equivalent to some of the worst levels experienced in recent summers. This has certainly been one of the driest winters in decades, and everyone is paying the price.
The most affected regions were those of Northern Italy, mostly Piedmont, Lombardia e VenetoTuscany, Sicily, and Sardinia also recorded rainfall percentages up to 70% below the seasonal average. Puglia, Calabria, and Abruzzo were within the average, although they are not immune to long periods without rain, especially in the summer.

INCREASING SOIL DRYNESS

According to a recent ISPRA report, 20 percent of Italian soil is subject to drought, a consequence of the climate crisis. This phenomenon affects both agricultural and urban areas: in Milan, for example, in 2022, it rained 60 percent less than the historical average. If the climate crisis situation does not improve, a 2-degree increase in temperatures in Mediterranean countries would result in water scarcity for 120 million people. A 3-degree increase would affect 170 million people.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT DROUGHT

Given the pressing drought and climate crisis, solutions are within everyone's reach. But addressing the water shortage requires sustainable resource management , especially water. In particular, remember that due to melting glaciers, the amount of freshwater available to humans is becoming increasingly limited.

In our daily lives, it's possible to limit water consumption in the bathroom, when showering, when washing dishes, and in our daily routines. Furthermore, there are cutting-edge technologies that can further reduce water waste. Choosing an appliance like a washing machine or dishwasher that belongs to the new A energy class will allow you to use the bare minimum in terms of both energy and water waste.

Don't waste water: how to avoid waste

READ ALSO: Ten municipalities in Trentino unite for energy from water and wood

WILL WATER LACK BE A NEW PANDEMIC?

With the constant rise in temperatures and the unstoppable increase in heat waves, water crises will only increase. And as suggested in the aforementioned IPCC Report 2022, The most affected areas will be the northern Mediterranean ones. Therefore, Italy is at the center of this phenomenon and must absolutely take the measures seriously. climate developments to try to find concrete and effective solutions.

HOW TO AVOID WASTING WATER

Safeguarding water resources and avoiding water waste is an important solution to combating droughts in the near future. Some precautions to consider include:

  • Avoid wasting tap water;
  • Use the shower instead of the tub;
  • Washing machines and dishwashers fully loaded with eco programs;
  • Reuse the cooking water;
  • Collect rainwater for gardening and outdoor cleaning;

But there are many ways to combat water waste. And each of us can contribute in our own small way to increasingly valorizing our planet.

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HERE'S HOW TO AVOID WATER WASTE AND LIVE SUSTAINABLY:

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