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Sustainable Switch

Climate Focus

By Sharon Kimathi, Energy and ESG Editor, Reuters Digital

Hello,

Today’s newsletter focuses on the droughts and water shortages in Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands and the U.S. Southwest.

Seven Greek islands in the Aegean Sea have declared drought emergencies this year to preserve water as climate change makes summers hotter and rainfall more erratic.

The Athens-based National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos" says droughts could get even worse by 2049 as global temperatures rise, exacerbating water scarcity on the vulnerable islands.

Now, authorities are wondering if there will be enough rain next year to sustain the thousands of tourists who ‌strain the supply of water just when locals need it most.

Authorities declared a water emergency in May and blocked irrigation for farmers in Livadi to safeguard the lake's reserves until the autumn, Nikos Kominea, mayor of Astypalea island, said. Click here for the full Reuters story.

Over in Hungary, near-record low water levels on the ‌Danube River have disrupted tourism, leaving cruise vessels stranded north of Budapest, suspending sightseeing trips and dealing a blow to the economically important sector.

Hungarian sightseeing operator MAHART-PassNave said the decline was part of a longer-term trend and that, despite efforts by shipping companies and ports to adapt, water levels were falling below operational limits.

Meanwhile, drought and heat have caused a water shortage in the Netherlands, the Dutch government said, causing them to put new measures in place to distribute supplies more evenly and meet rising demand.

Rivers are receding to historically low levels in the Netherlands, where it has hardly rained in recent weeks.

Over in the U.S., decades of drought, compounded by this year's record-low winter snowpack and the hottest March on record, have deepened shortages across the lower Colorado River basin.

The drought is pitting farmers against residents and businesses, including those running data centers, solar projects and semiconductor plants. Federal officials are considering steep cuts in water allotted from the Colorado River to Arizona, California and Nevada.

Click here for the full Reuters insight story.

Climate Buzz

1. Canada wildfires force evacuations as blazes surge beyond last year’s levels

The number of wildfires raging in Canada so far this year has already topped levels seen in the last two years, authorities said. Those fires have largely affected remote Indigenous communities in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario, prompting 1,600 evacuations from First Nations communities. As of Thursday, 859 fires were burning, including 113 out of control, and Ontario has sought federal help with evacuations. Click here for the full report.

A crew member coordinates with helicopter operations on the Brunswick Complex wildfires near North Bend, British Columbia, Canada. BC Wildfire Service/Handout via REUTERS.

2. The serious health risks posed by wildfire smoke

More toxic than normal air pollution, wildfire smoke can linger in the air for weeks and travel thousands of miles. Along with particles of soil and biological materials, wildfire smoke often contains traces of ‌chemicals, metals, plastics and other synthetic materials. Click here to find out what you need to know about the risks of wildfire smoke.

3. Texas flooding kills two as state braces for historic rains

Torrential rains killed two people in Texas after floodwaters swept away their vehicles, Governor Greg Abbott said, as the state prepared for potentially record-breaking rainfall over the next 24 hours. Heavy downpours turned rivers into dangerous torrents, washed out more than 100 roads and prompted dozens of rescues. The worst-hit area was the Nueces River basin, including parts of flood-prone Texas Hill Country, according to Abbott.

4. Landslide buries residents in southwest China's Chongqing

An unknown number of people were buried after a landslide struck the southwestern Chinese municipality of Chongqing on Friday morning, according to state media. Authorities ordered an evacuation after a worker saw rocks falling, the reports said. But the landslide started in earnest during the evacuation and several residential buildings collapsed.

5. Strong earthquake rattles New Zealand's South Island, tsunami alert lifted

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck near the town of Te Anau in New Zealand's South Island, shaking ‌buildings and prompting authorities to briefly issue a tsunami warning. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. Local resident Maylene Puyat, the duty manager at Te Anau's Fiordland Hotel, told Reuters the ⁠earthquake was "a bit strong" and shook the building for about a minute.

What to Watch

Europe’s heatwaves are threatening Parmigiano Reggiano production in Italy. With temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), cows are spending more time lying down, eating less and producing up to 10% less milk, one of the Parmigiano's only three ingredients alongside ⁠salt and rennet. Click here for the full Reuters story and video.

Climate Commentary

Europe's rivers are the hidden arteries of its energy system, writes Reuters global energy transition columnist, Gavin Maguire. Click here to find out what low rivers mean for energy markets.
Illegal wildlife trade is worth $23 billion a year with the pangolin being the most trafficked mammal worldwide, writes Ethical Corp Magazine contributor Ben Payton. Click here to find out what companies can do to stop wildlife traffickers.

Climate Lens

Europe's ageing building stock and strict heritage protections often make installing air conditioning difficult, leaving businesses to seek limited alternatives. In Cologne, one company cut indoor temperatures by 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) with reflective window film because structural changes were prohibited.

While Europe has improved heat adaptation since the deadly 2003 heatwave, many historic buildings and cities remain poorly equipped for rising temperatures. Click here for the full climate adaptation story.