Summer of sun, beach and… drought

Agriculture and tourism are two of Spain’s economic engines and, due to climate change, they are being seriously threatened. In the case of the first, low rainfall minimises the production of agricultural products such as cereals and olives, which puts enormous pressure on food prices.

Globally, the tourism sector is facing the challenge of adapting to an adverse climate scenario, where the main destinations are becoming less and less pleasant. In Spain, sun and beach tourism has historically been an important source of wealth, however, the current scenario raises serious questions about the future and it requires urgent measures to be taken by companies and institutions to mitigate the causes of this crisis.

The Mediterranean Sea along the Spanish coastline has been reaching 30 degrees Celsius in recent summers, contributing to a proliferation of jellyfish, forcing the authorities to ban bathing. In addition, temperatures in Mediterranean countries continue to rise in tandem with global greenhouse gas emissions, reaching record highs such as 47.6 degrees Celsius in 2021 in Montoro, Córdoba.

The water crisis alternates periods of extreme drought with episodes of rainfall that cause severe flooding across Europe. In Spain, the lack of water has led to the risk of desertification of 75% of the peninsular territory and to restrictions on access to drinking water, the closure of showers on some beaches and a ban on filling swimming pools.