Climate change: Dürren threaten water supply and agriculture!

Climate change: Dürren threaten water supply and agriculture!

Oder-Spree, Deutschland - The challenges of climate change are obvious. According to an current report by the OECD, which was published in June, the frequency, duration and intensity of droughts increase in an alarming way. These droughts not only threaten water security, but also people, ecosystems and economies. It is clear that we have to adjust our water management to new conditions in order to be able to deal with these challenges. euwid Wasser reports that for many regions the earnings have already been taken dramatic in agriculture. Because in dry years the earnings can decrease by up to 22 percent, which not only brings farmers into need, but also endangered general nutritional security.

The OECD particularly emphasizes that the costs of the droughts are expected to continue to increase in the next few years and are up to 110 percent higher than in 2000. Anyone who thinks only the most distant countries, they are wrong: In Germany, too, extreme weather events have been significantly impaired, as has been determined since 2018. Around 2 million hectares of forest are affected by damage in this country, while the water levels decrease in the summer and the water temperatures rise in the oceans. The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture therefore sees the urgent need for comprehensive climate adaptation measures to also ensure food production in the future.

strategies for the drought -wrapping

Our experts agree: In order to counter the fatal consequences of climate change, we have to take proactive measures. Bread for the world shows that close cooperation with local partner organizations is necessary to develop strategies to manage climate-related dangers. The focus should be on the immediate effects of droughts, as well as the long -term securing of nutrition, soil fertility and water supply. In particular, training courses for farmers play a key role here. They help to adapt cultivation methods to the new climatic conditions.

Use of Düre and flood-resistant grain varieties is a measure that is already positive in practice. The switch to resource -saving irrigation systems is also necessary. Sprinkler or drip systems could significantly reduce global water consumption across the board. Other essential steps are the preservation of forests and wetlands that offer crucial support for the formation of groundwater.

The role of healthy ecosystems

healthy ecosystems are not only habitats for plants and animals, but also crucial for the regulation of the water cycle and maintaining the soil moisture. As is emphasized in the OECD report, it is essential to protect these vital water sources in order to master the challenges of climate change.

In order to accommodate the special needs of agriculture, the Federal Ministry is continuously working on adaptation strategies that combine various areas such as sustainable management, risk management and animal protection. These measures should not only be ecologically sensible, but also help agriculture and forestry to manage their existing challenges and at the same time actively contribute to climate protection.

The conclusion is clear: climate change demands a rethink for all of us. Only if we work jointly on solutions and spread our knowledge of climate change and its effects do we have a chance to counteract the negative trends. The value of a clever adaptation strategy should not be underestimated: every dollar invested can bring up to ten dollars of economic income.