When the Rhine Runs Dry

Credit: Sander Weeteling (Unsplash)

The Rhine River's water levels in Germany dropped dramatically to a new and frightening low this month because of an ongoing drought in Europe. The Rhine is a major artery for trade, especially for grain and energy resources, like coal and gasoline. This real-time case study in weather-related challenges has revealed the economic impacts of climate change. What can we do to prevent this from happening again?

The impacts of Europe's summer heatwave.
Throughout August, temperatures have soared to nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of Europe that are not accustomed to managing unrelenting heat waves. With their lush green countryside turning brown, England has declared a drought in parts of the country and restricted water usage for millions of residents. Other countries throughout the continent, including Germany, have faced similar complications, such as sweltering heat coupled with low rainfall. According to NBC's reports, experts believe this is "a direct result of climate change." 

How the Rhine almost ran dry.  
How do heatwaves impact rivers like the Rhine? The International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR) says that, "effects of climate change modify the discharge pattern of the Rhine and its tributaries." The ICPR adds that time periods with too much rain, causing floods, or too little water flow, causing droughts, may start to occur more frequently. Furthermore, those periods of extremes may last longer than previously observed.  

The war in Ukraine plays a role.
Like other countries, Germany has been contending with supply chain issues, inflation, and high gas prices that have been attributed to Russia's war in Ukraine. This shipping crisis only adds to the stress on their economy. In response to the war, Germany has reduced reliance on Russian gas, favoring coal as an energy source instead. However, Reuters recently reported that there are disruptions in the supply as ships cannot "take on enough coal" with the Rhine's current drought conditions. Reuters added that builders are attempting new vessel designs geared to transport goods in lower water levels.

Little steps make a difference. The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) says that while we cannot control the weather, we can limit our contributions to climate change, and more specifically, droughts, by curbing water waste. While governments and major corporations shoulder the lion's share of responsibility to stop the most devastating effects of climate change, individuals and communities can play an important role, too. The local government in Maui, Hawaii, created this nifty list of 25 easy things we can all do to reduce water waste, including checking pipes for small leaks and watering lawns only as needed.