Sicily is facing a severe drought that risks turning a third of its territory into desert by 2030, according to the Guardian’s warning
Sicily: a once fertile land, now threatened by drought. A recent report by the ‘Guardian’ has highlighted the serious consequences of this phenomenon on the island, highlighting an alarming future. Christian Mulderprofessor of Ecology and Climate Change at the University of Catania, described a dramatic scenario: by 2030, a third of the Sicilian territory could transform into a desert, similar to those of Libya and Tunisia.
Work and agricultural emergency
In the heart of Sicily, the province of Caltanissetta is among the hardest hit. The once lush countryside has turned into barren wastelands. Farmers in the area are struggling, with their wheat fields barren and their livestock struggling to find water and fodder. The situation is so critical that the region has declared a state of emergency.
The lack of water has dried up the lakes and wells, turning them into mud. In the last three years, Sicily has recorded record temperatures, with peaks of 48 degreesand a drastic decrease in rainfall. In the first six months of 2024, rainfall dropped by 40%, further aggravating the situation.
Coldiretti has raised a significant alarm: the water shortage has already caused the loss of 33,000 jobs in the agricultural sector in southern Italy. Sicilian farmers live in constant uncertainty, trying to adapt to an increasingly hostile climate. Beppe Palmeri, a local farmer, described his desperate search for water for his livestock, buying thousands of liters of water to replenish his supplies, which quickly run out.
The difficulties in water supply are evident. Palmeri explained that tankers and tankers struggle to reach the hilly areas because of the disastrous roads. This logistical problem adds to the scarcity of water, making the life of the farmers even more complicated.
An uncertain future
In the Nissenothe wheat fields, once a symbol of Sicilian fertility, are now barren and deserted. The ears of corn, which should have stood tall, are reduced to rushes at the ground level. The situation is so critical that farmers have applied for the region’s “fodder voucher,” a fund intended to mitigate economic losses. Some of the interviewees involved pointed out that growing a hectare of wheat costs a thousand euros, but with no or almost no harvest, debts quickly accumulate.
Drought is not just an agricultural issue, but a problem that affects all aspects of rural life. Maximum Springdirector of Coldiretti Caltanissetta, explained that the water reserves of the Fanaco basin will soon run out, leaving farmers without water for irrigation.
The forecast for the future is not rosy. Christian Mulder warned that without a radical change in the management of water resources, Sicily will face dramatic consequences. firefueled by drought, have already devastated hundreds of hectares of forest, causing enormous damage and making the situation worse.
Ranchers are faced with difficult decisions. Without sufficient water and fodder, many are forced to slaughter their livestock. Transhumance, the traditional seasonal migration in search of pasture, has become increasingly difficult due to scarce resources.
Sicily is facing a epochal challenge. The combination of climate change, poor water management and environmental emergencies requires urgent interventions and innovative solutions to preserve the future of the island and its communities.
