Last year proved disastrous for Giannis’s olive trees, with olives shrunk to such a degree that they were relegated to the oil market, which is considerably less profitable. This year, conditions seem only marginally better, as the region has experienced no rainfall for two months. Giannis attributes the plight of his crops primarily to the ongoing climate crisis, which has manifested through extreme drought and rising winter temperatures. These elevated temperatures fail to provide the necessary cold hours essential for the trees to bear fruit, leaving many trees barren.
On site, temperatures soar to 37ºC, and soil moisture levels hover dangerously low at 50%. Faced with these dire conditions, Giannis has invested heavily in an irrigation system, a decision that comes with its own drawbacks as it disrupts the fragile balance of underground aquifers. About 20 kilometers away, another farmer, Dimitris, is grappling with similar challenges. Co-owning a pistachio farm, he estimates that dry years have become the norm, yet local authorities seem to remain indifferent to the urgent need for better water management. He expresses frustration over the lack of educational initiatives aimed at helping farmers adopt efficient water usage strategies.
Dimitris argues that Greek farmers often operate without proper guidance, leading to a disjointed approach to agricultural practices. In areas where agriculture consumes up to 90% of water resources, outdated infrastructure further exacerbates the problem. Other sectors, such as tourism and industry, contribute to this unsustainable water demand. Under increasing pressure, the Greek government has pledged urgent investments and a reorganization of various water management agencies to address these issues. The European Commission’s newly released Water Resilient Strategy also calls for modernization of infrastructure, with an emphasis on public-private partnerships and technological advancements.
However, there are lingering doubts about whether these efforts will suffice in solving the complex water management issues Greece faces. To gain insight, we turn to Elpida Kolokytha, the head of a UNESCO Center focused on integrated water resource management, who underscores that the problem is not a lack of water resources but rather inefficiencies in their usage. The emergence of extreme weather patterns, such as floods and droughts exacerbated by climate change, underscores the need for updated data and adaptive management strategies.
Kolokytha is cautiously optimistic, noting progress made since the implementation of the 2000 EU Water Directive and subsequent Greek legislation. However, she acknowledges inefficiencies remain in governance structures. She advocates for a multidimensional approach that combines hydraulic engineering projects with soft structural measures like water conservation initiatives and education campaigns aimed at improving awareness and promoting responsible water use.
Ultimately, the European Commission’s Water Resilient Strategy aims for a reduction in water consumption by 10% by 2030 across the EU. The path ahead requires not only investment in physical infrastructure but also a cultural shift towards better water management practices among farmers and the broader community. As the consequences of climate change unfold, it is clear that sustainable management of water resources must be prioritized to secure both agricultural viability and the health of the environment in Greece.
