Greek olive farmers rely on water trucks as drought rages on

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🗞️ Driving the news: Greece is facing severe drought conditions, with dwindling groundwater supplies, dry lakes, and even wild horses dying due to lack of fresh water
• Farmers like Dimitris Papadakis are resorting to trucking in water to save their crops, as natural sources have dried up
• High tourist numbers and outdated water infrastructure are further straining the already limited water resources

🔭 The context: The drought in Greece is part of a broader pattern affecting southern Europe, exacerbated by successive heatwaves and years of below-average rainfall
• Local residents and officials are struggling to manage the water crisis, with some areas experiencing water cuts lasting several days
• Along the Evros River, increased salinity is threatening the survival of wildlife

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The severe drought highlights the escalating impact of climate change on natural resources and ecosystems
• The death of wild horses and the drying of lakes like Picrolimni underscore the urgent need for effective water management and conservation strategies
• The situation in Greece is a stark reminder of the broader environmental challenges posed by global warming

⏭️ What's next: Experts are calling for improved water management practices, including better conservation, storage, and reuse of water
• Immediate public works and infrastructure improvements are needed to mitigate the effects of ongoing drought conditions
• Without significant action, Greece could face even more severe droughts in the future

💬 One quote: “These drought phenomena will return with greater intensity in the future,” warns Konstantinos S Voudouris, a professor of hydrogeology

📈 One stat: In Kassandra, the summer population swells from 17,000 to 650,000, putting enormous pressure on water resources

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