Rebecca FalconerAndrew Freedman
Drought conditions are affecting about 60% of the EU and the U.K., exacerbated by climate-change driven record heat across Europe this summer, according to new research from the European Drought Observatory.
Why it matters: France, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands are facing water shortages and riverbeds are drying out across Europe. Dry conditions are severely affecting energy production, agriculture and river transportation.
Meanwhile, many European countries are expected to see continued dry conditions in August and September, adding “to the already very critical situation,” noted the European Commission’s European Drought Observatory in July.
The big picture: The European Drought Observatory examined data over a 10-day period toward the end of July and discovered that 45% of the EU’s territory was under drought warning conditions by the middle of the month, while 15% was on “red alert” and in severe water deficiency……..more here
Click here for reuse options!