Severe drought in Sicily is forcing farmers like Luca Cammarata to consider drastic measures to save their livestock as water resources dwindle and government aid falls short.
Rainfall in Sicily has decreased by over 40% since 2003, leading to extreme drought conditions.
The government has declared a state of emergency, allocating €20 million, far less than the €130 million requested by local authorities.
Farmers are experiencing significant losses, with young agricultural workers leaving the industry and region due to the crisis.
Key quote:
"By 2030, a third of the territory of Sicily will become a desert, comparable to the lands of Tunisia and Libya (...) Sicily is now facing the concrete consequences of decades of mismanagement of water resources."
— Christian Mulder, a professor of ecology and climate emergency at the University of Catania.
Why this matters:
For centuries, Sicilian farmers have cultivated a diverse array of crops, from olives and grapes to citrus fruits and almonds, contributing significantly to the region's economy and cultural heritage. However, with the persistent lack of rainfall, these crops are now at risk. The once fertile fields are parched and the vital reservoirs are dwindling, threatening the livelihood of countless farmers who rely on these traditional agricultural practices.
Floridia may have hit 124 degrees Fahrenheit this week, possibly the highest temperature ever recorded in Europe, offering Italy and the entire Mediterranean a preview of things to come.
A monitoring station on the island reported a temperature of 119.84 Fahrenheit, 48.8 degrees Celsius, on Wednesday. If verified, it would be the highest ever recorded in Europe.
An Italian weather monitoring station in Siracusa, Sicily, recorded temperatures of up to 119.8 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday as the Mediterranean and northern Africa are in the midst of an intense heat wave.
