There were severe floods in Spain. Why does Spain not shut down all fossil fuel use?
A recent report by the Global Drought Observatory concluded that
Europe is suffering its worst drought in 500 years.
Several countries across the continent have been battling wildfires and heatwaves, with Spain particularly badly hit. More than 270,000 hectares here have been burnt this year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System.
The extreme heat and lack of rainfall have led to a dramatic drop in levels of Spain's natural water reserves. The Vinuela reservoir near Malaga is at just over 10% of its capacity.
Elsewhere, medieval waterfront villages, long buried beneath rivers, have been exposed as the water evaporates.
. . . .
. . . . "Shoppers are already paying a third higher than last year - but the drought will increase that even more," says Juan Gadeo, the head of the cooperative, who believes this vital sector for Spain is now in danger.
"With the downturn, we may have to lay off some workers. There's a feeling of depression and uncertainty. Another year like this would be a complete catastrophe."
It's a similar picture across the agricultural sector, with recent research finding that parts of the Iberian peninsula are their driest in 1,200 years.
Spain's olive oil industry is in danger after being hit by chronic water shortages.
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