Concerns over hot weather are on the rise in Spain, especially now that temperatures can exceed 25 degrees in many areas after this weekend. The country, like other countries in the region, is struggling with growing water shortages. “We like dry, warm and sunny weather, but for Seville 36 degrees at the end of April is a bit too much,” says Spain correspondent Jorn Lucas.
“The biggest problems are in the inland South, but the vast majority of the country is actually dealing with severe droughts,” Lucas says. “Around Teruel, an area between Madrid and Valencia, there has been no significant rainfall for 125 days.”
Although the real hot summer period has yet to begin, the first forest fires have already broken out in the country. Concerns in Spain about drought are therefore great, according to Lucas. ‘If you look at the news and the newspapers, it’s been a recurring theme for a long time. Spain is heading towards a prolonged and very dry period and meteorologists are really warning of the consequences.’
Fruit growing
For example, drought can have far-reaching consequences for Spanish fruit growing. Spain is the largest fruit producer in the world. By now, millions of hectares of agricultural land are said to have been irreparably damaged, some sixty per cent of all Spanish farmland. “The area around Alicante, Murcia and Almería is seen as the vegetable garden of Europe, and the drought has huge consequences for that.”
‘Tourists like it when the weather is hot and dry, but you can also go overboard’
According to the Spanish correspondent, this has direct consequences on the production of corn, sunflowers and cotton, among other things. “Now it’s all clear. The rice farmers’ federation says 70% less rice is already being planted, and the rest of the EU will notice too.’
Farmers’ protests
An ideal solution is not available, because there is simply not enough water available to counteract all the negative consequences of the drought. For example, there are protests by farmers across the country against a government plan to increase the amount of water flowing through the Tagus River to cities like Madrid and Barcelona. “But that means less water goes to a branching river, which in turn goes to that big garden.”
In addition to the consequences for agriculture, the drought in Spain is also affecting the important tourism sector. Lucas: ‘A tourist likes it when the weather is hot and dry, but you can go overboard. And if there is already a shortage of water for the Spaniards, what happens to all those millions of tourists who come here to drink, shower and play in the pool?’
Measures
Spain is taking several measures to combat the drought. For example, a ban on spraying has been introduced and agriculture can only use 40% of the water. “And also things that they are already doing in the rest of Europe, like reducing energy consumption, not scaling up air conditioners and making them more sustainable,” Lucas says. “You can’t really do much more. It mostly requires a change in people’s behavior and mindset.”
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
