13
Sep
2022
Watch
Consequences of drought, fire, and other extreme weather phenomena: increasing EU's efforts to fight climate change (debate)
Mr President, Commissioner, it is clear that the climate changes and changes our territories and our lives. In Spain alone, in 2022, the average number of fires increased fourfold. And, in the Mediterranean ecoregion, the fire season grew by 54%. This year we are facing a drought that is the worst for at least five hundred years. The problem is not conjunctural – it has already been said here – and its impact is uneven. It is modulated according to geographical, economic and social criteria. Some are more affected than others. Our agricultural sector is desolate. That is why, together with climate change mitigation measures, a solidarity policy and a strategy against desertification must be articulated, as has also been said here. We need to go beyond the activation of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism and strengthen cohesion policy as a solidarity mechanism between regions. The role of public authorities in the protection of natural resources is essential and the right to water must be guaranteed as a common good, not as a commodity. Without water there is no possible existence on this planet. Surprisingly, we are not able to agree on such simple evidence.