Italy has offered emergency funds of EUR 36.5 million to five regions in the north of the country. The measure is part of the state of emergency that the country has declared due to the drought BBC Tuesday.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi says it is the worst drought in the country in 70 years. The fatal rupture of a glacier in the country is “without doubt” due to global warming.
The drought threatens more than 30 percent of Italy’s agricultural production. A number of municipalities in the north of the country have announced their intention to switch to water rationing.
Due to unusually warm weather and little precipitation in winter and spring, the north of Italy is struggling with water shortages. The country’s government says the effects of the drought can be combated with “extraordinary means” through the state of emergency.
For years, studies have warned that global warming could lead to increasing economic damage. In Europe, this could rise to 65 billion euros per year by 2100, even if warming were limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The damage caused by global warming is now about 9 billion euros per year.
Many places on Earth are becoming drier due to climate change. This is usually due to an increase in evaporation, as it gets warmer everywhere. The Mediterranean, which includes Italy, is a hot spot for climate change. Temperatures are rising faster than average, and there is no other place on Earth where precipitation falls so sharply.
A glacier broke in the Italian Alps on Sunday. At least seven people were killed.