Environmental association Legambiente
on Monday sounded the alarm about the severe drought that Italy
is already suffering at a time of year when water supplies
should be plentiful, with the situation potentially getting even
more serious in the coming months.
Citing figures from the CIMA Research Foundation, it said the
Italian Alps currently have a snow-water-equivalent deficit of
53% compared to the average of the last ten years.
This is worrying as snow is an important source of water in
spring and summer when, by melting, it ensures water supplies in
the months it is most needed.
This deficit is due to reduced precipitation levels this winter,
combined with mild winter temperatures that have brought forward
the melting of snow on the mountains.
This has exacerbated an already difficult situation after the
severe drought and long series of heat waves Italy endured last
summer hit Italy's water resources badly, causing huge problems
for agriculture.
Alpine snow is Italy's most important water reserve, since it
supplies the Po River basin.
Legambiente said the nationwide snow deficit stands at around
45%.
Scientists say that extreme weather events like the heat waves,
supercharged storms, flooding and droughts are becoming more
frequent and more intense because of climate change caused by
human greenhouse-gas emissions.
"2023 has only just started but it is already showing worrying
signs in terms of extreme climate events and drought levels,"
said Legambiente Director General Giorgio Zampetti.
"It is necessary to immediately reduce water-resource
withdrawals in several sectors and for various purposes before
we get to the point of no return.
"It is necessary to adopt a national water strategy that has a
circular approach".
Legambiente outlined an eight-point plan is said Premier Giorgia
Meloni's government should adopt to cope with the emergency in
the short, medium and long terms, including making water-related
investments exempt from tax.
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