I just heard that Viking Tours is now running ocean voyages. Not because it was part of their master plan, but because the river levels in Europe are so low, they can’t run their famous river voyages.
And, that’s not the real problem. Climate change is affecting the water supplies and the temperatures (and creating fires) all over Europe (and the USA and the rest of the world).
Which means that Europe is not only getting devastated by the war in Ukraine, where Russia is withholding gas deliveries. No, it also means that Germany can’t deliver coal (and a slew of other industrial goods), since barge transport on the Rhine is impeded by low flows in the rivers. The barges can only employ 25% of their normal capacity. (By the way, the Rhine is not just critical to Germany, but also to the Dutch and Swiss economy.)
Eastern Europe (Danube river) river transports are limited to about 1/3 their normal capacity. France has to throttle nuclear reactors because the water flow in the Rhone and Garonne rivers is too low and too hot to cool their reactors. Plus hydropower generation is totally impeded.
Drinking water supplies are also affected. The UK is imposing water restrictions on Londoners and the environs because the Thames can’t supply the necessary water.
It also means transportation costs have skyrocketed. Rhine freight rates have more than doubled from 112 Euros to 240 Euros. (Last year they were as low as 11 Euros!) Because alternatives to cheap river transport (fuel, grains, chemicals) have to be employed.
Those of you who love Riesling wine will find that most of the vineyards have dried up, turning brown due to the lack of water flow. Italy has lost some 30% of its agricultural output due to water conditions in the Po River region.
This is also affecting the delivery of Ukrainian grain. Most of the deliveries within Europe relied on river transport. And, now, the desiccated rivers can’t handle the volume.
Not to mention the monster fires raging all over France.
We really need to address climate change.
Climate change must be addressed. But we won’t, not the way we have to. NOW. Not tomorrow, not six hours from now. Are we a self destructive species, or just one that can’t see past our own noses? Our descendants will curse us for not acting when it was so obvious – that’s what I’m afraid of, that we will miss this last chance. The changes are already happening faster than many scientists thought, and are accelerating quickly.
Well said, Alana! Thanks for adding to this critical discussion.