Europe gripped by severe drought, illegal water trade in Sicily

High temperatures and severe droughts are plaguing Europe, particularly in Sicily. The situation is so dire that authorities have decided to introduce water rationing. The lack of water has led to the illegal trade of the island's precious resources.

Global warming is neither a conspiracy theory nor an invention of left-wing circles and politicians. It is evident to the naked eye every day. We regularly receive reports about droughts, heatwaves, and exhausting temperatures. In Spain and Romania, residents must cope with weather conditions that make it unsafe to leave their homes. We are talking about temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius. Such temperatures can be deadly.

Environmental activists consistently emphasize that global warming and climate change are facts that must be addressed. They advocate for minimal plastic use, reduced meat consumption, and travelling by train or bicycle. These actions aim to prevent situations like those experienced by the residents of Sicily, where water shortages and the necessity of water rationing have become a harsh reality.

Disturbing news is reaching us from Sicily. It turns out that residents are struggling with severe droughts, so severe that water rationing had to be instituted. People are unhappy with this situation and are organizing protests against the authorities. They want the government to manage better the issues related to the lack of access to clean and potable water. Water rationing has been in effect in Palermo since Monday, and smaller or larger usage restrictions have been introduced in over 100 municipalities.

Residents of many cities and villages rely on illegal water tankers that arrive every few days. Unfortunately, access to water requires payment, and it is not cheap. "Traders" are reportedly charging restaurateurs between 250 and 400 euros for an amount that is barely enough to run a business. Although local authorities also provide tankers, these are too few and arrive only once every few weeks.