European droughts News

Rhine River’s Low Water Levels Provide ‘Further Evidence’ of Climate Change

The cost of shipping fuel along the Rhine river has surged as low water levels curb barges’ carrying capacity following a hot, dry September. The river is fed by glaciers and rain. But Alpine ice flows are declining each year …

Low Water Levels Hamper Rhine River Shipping in Germany

Low water levels after recent dry weather are preventing cargo vessels from sailing fully loaded on the Rhine river in Germany with surcharges added to the usual freight rates, commodity traders said on Thursday. Low water is hampering shipping on …

More Than 600 Firefighters, Water-Dropping Planes Struggle to Control Greece Wildfires

More than 600 firefighters, including reinforcements from several European countries and backed by a fleet of water-dropping planes and helicopters, were battling three major wildfires in Greece Sunday, two of which have been raging for days. A massive blaze in …

Europe’s Most Important Trade Route Is at Risk From Climate Change

The Rhine River has been a reliable shipping lane for centuries, helping spawn industrial giants along its banks. But those days are coming to an end, and the scramble is made all the more urgent as Germany’s government fails to …

Update: Greece Fights Almost 200 Wildfires as Wind Raises Risk in Mediterranean

Greece is fighting almost 200 wildfires as strengthening winds put a sting in the tail of the Mediterranean’s fading heat wave. More villages in mainland Greece were evacuated on Thursday as blazes threatened, while two people died in Velestino. A …

Wildfires Rage Across Greece With Record Heat Forecast for Italy

Wildfires are raging across Greece after about 19,000 people were evacuated from the island of Rhodes over the weekend, while record temperatures are forecast for Sardinia. Over the past 24 hours, 162 fires have been reported across Greece amid high …

Ukraine Grain Now Relies on a River That’s Drying in the Drought

The threat of Russian aggression towards Ukraine’s Black Sea ports and ships will force the country to export its enormous quantities of grain by river, road and rail — all of which are fraught with challenges. After exiting the Black …

European Heat Wave Sees Temperatures Reaching 115F in Sardinia as Greece Burns

Europe baked in intense heat, with temperatures reaching almost 46C (115F) on the Italian island of Sardinia on Wednesday, as wildfires continued to rage in Greece. Authorities warned lives were in danger after the latest blast of Saharan heat saw …

Record Heat and Drought Force Europe to Accelerate Climate Adaptation

The record heat and drought hurting European farmers, power utilities and insurers foreshadows even faster change to the continent’s climate, with scientists warning that feedback loops from a drying Earth likely will lead to dangerously high temperatures again this year. …

France’s Hottest Year Was Also 2nd Driest, Putting Climate Pressure on Government

France experienced its hottest and second-driest year on record in 2022, putting pressure on the government to step up its fight against climate change that’s straining everything from energy to agriculture. Temperatures averaged 14.5 Celsius last year, the highest since …