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"It's not just 2022, it's the third year of the climate crisis era. This is not only a new era in human history, but also a new moment in the history of the planet. As we watch temperature numbers soar to 40°C in weather forecasts, we wonder what is happening in our world? This heat is unbelievable, don't you believe it?
Let's recall the European heat warning of 1976, when the temperature record was only 32°C. This temperature has been recorded as the highest since 1826 in Belgium, Germany, France and the Netherlands.
Yes, you read that right. At that time, 32°C was considered to be extremely high once in a century. This makes today's 40°C even more prominent the deterioration of extreme weather. The harm caused by high temperature and heat waves should not be underestimated. Today, we will take a closer look at the impact of this extreme weather on human life from the perspective of drought.
"If you see me, cry." How severe is the drought in Europe due to hot weather?
These two graphs illustrate the extent to which drought is affected. The darker the color, the deeper the impact, almost all of Europe is covered in orange, and red is everywhere, which clearly shows the severity of the drought.
Yellow represents an alert, orange represents a warning, and red represents a critical warning. The drought plunged almost all of Europe into it.
A stone at the bottom of the river reveals the truth. This unusual stone existed as early as the Middle Ages. They are seen as a key indicator of water resources, and once they are exposed, they mean that famine is imminent, hence the nickname "starving stone" or "tear stone".
Water levels in the Danube and Rhine rivers have fallen to record lows, and "tearstones" have appeared in the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Germany. How many plants and animals suffer from heat and drought from dry rivers?
According to data provided by the European Drought Watch website, about 63% of the land in the EU and UK is under drought warning or alert status. The UK government has declared that 8 of England's 14 regions are already in drought. This situation has made water extremely scarce and has to be restricted.
The Associated Press report said an unprecedented drought was sweeping nearly half of Europe, possibly the worst in 500 years. The Danube and Rhine rivers are vital for Europe. The Danube is the second longest river in Europe and has about 300 tributaries, 34 of which are navigable. The Danube flows through a variety of terrains, including canyons, plains and deltas, and is economically and ecologically vital to all countries. The Danube is the world's most mainstream river flowing through a country and is vital for the transport and economic development of the riparian countries. Although the Rhine does not flow as much as the Danube, it is also vital to the economies of Western Europe. It is the largest river in Western Europe, with a basin area of more than 22,0000 square kilometers, forming an extensive water transport network that facilitates industrial production and food supply. However, the drought caused water levels to drop sharply and shipping on the Danube and Rhine almost came to a standstill.
The drought not only threatens river transport, but also affects the water needs of residents. Some places have implemented water restrictions that prohibit running water for watering gardens, washing cars, filling pools and fountains, and washing walls and other properties. Even in the UK, hose water restrictions have been introduced in some areas.
In addition, drought has had a serious impact on food production. The EU's corn production is expected to decrease by 12.5 million tonnes and sunflower seed production by 1.6 million tonnes. Across Europe, corn production in 2022 is expected to fall by more than 20% to 55.4 million mt, the lowest level in fifteen years. In addition, the production of soft wheat and barley will also decrease. This has left Europe facing a severe food shortage crisis.
In general, this drought is not only bad for rivers and
Shipping has had a serious impact and has also led to severe water difficulties for residents and agriculture. As the meadows turn from emerald green to yellow-brown, farmers are facing a shortage of irrigation water. The drastic reduction in the supply of drinking water and feed for livestock has led to a decline in the health of livestock and affected the milk production and quality of dairy cows. Farmers had to use winter fodder in advance to keep their livestock afloat.
And that's not all. Food production across Europe has also taken a hard hit. Cereal production in the EU is expected to fall by 8.5 percent, with soft wheat and barley production also significantly reduced. Europe's major grain-producing countries such as France, Spain, Italy and Germany have been plagued by insufficient rainfall and have not rained for nearly two months. The drought threatens Europe's food supply and indicates that food prices are likely to continue to rise in the future.
This series of problems, from drought to irrigation difficulties, river drying, high temperature and evaporation, etc., are intertwined, forming a vicious circle, which has caused Europe to face severe food shortages and water crises. If left unaddressed, it would deal a serious blow to agricultural, economic and social stability.
This 2022 heat wave is not just a "good heat" problem, it touches on drought and food and clothing problems throughout Europe, and this threat will gradually spread to the world, which is a problem that cannot be ignored.
"We are in a time of destruction, and it has been so for decades." As extreme weather events increase and the impact of the climate crisis becomes more apparent, more and more people are paying attention to the consequences of the climate crisis. As we face the "first year of the climate crisis", we must think hard: Are we really ready to meet this challenge?
At this critical juncture, countries around the world need to work more closely together and take effective actions to slow down the trend of climate change, protect water resources, and ensure food supply to safeguard our ecological environment and the sustainable development of human society. This is a challenge that we cannot avoid, but it is also a challenge that we must address together. Only through global cooperation and determination can we hope to find a solution to the climate crisis.
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