Western Reader
Europe is currently facing intense heat waves and droughts, resulting in a significant drop in water levels in rivers and lakes across the continent.
One example is the Waal River in the Netherlands, where water levels have fallen below the markers on bridges due to the dryness.
In Germany, the Rhine River’s low water levels are causing shipping difficulties.
In Spain, a reservoir’s receding waters have exposed the Dolmen of Guadalperal, also known as the Spanish Stonehenge. These ancient stones, dating back thousands of years, were previously submerged due to development during Francisco Franco’s dictatorship.
Furthermore, hunger stones, which were placed by people during previous droughts, are resurfacing in rivers throughout Europe.
While a drop in water levels during the summer months is not uncommon, this year’s situation is exceptionally severe.
Martina Becker from the German company HGK Shipping states, “It’s quite extraordinary, particularly for this time of year. This is an unusual situation for us, and the question is what happens in October when the usually dry months arrive. We are already approaching the record low level we had in 2018. We could reach that level next week.”
Droughts and other weather-related disasters are closely connected to human-induced climate change. According to NASA, the Earth has already warmed by 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880, worsening the severity of these disasters. To break this harmful cycle, it is crucial to significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change.
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