{"id":102601,"date":"2024-10-16T14:05:08","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T12:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sonnenseite.com\/?p=102601"},"modified":"2024-10-16T14:05:09","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T12:05:09","slug":"pollution-over-use-and-climate-change-threaten-water-resilience-in-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sonnenseite.com\/en\/energy\/pollution-over-use-and-climate-change-threaten-water-resilience-in-europe\/","title":{"rendered":"Pollution, over-use and climate change threaten water resilience in Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pollution, habitat degradation, impacts of climate change, and the over-use of freshwater resources are putting pressure on Europe\u2019s lakes, rivers, coastal waters and groundwaters like never before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the largest assessment on the health of Europe\u2019s water bodies, published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA), Europe is not on track to meet its targets to improve the health of waters under EU rules. Better water management is key to improve water resilience, to alleviate pressures on water and to ensure European citizens, nature and industry have enough good-quality water.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Europe's<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Agriculture<\/strong> is the most significant pressure <\/strong>impacting both surface and groundwaters, according to the EEA report \u2018Europe’s state of water 2024: the need for improved water resilience<\/a><\/strong>\u2019. This results from water use and pollution from the intensive use of nutrients and pesticides, according to Member States\u2019 own monitoring. Agriculture is by far the highest net water consumer in Europe and, without changes in practices, demand from irrigated agriculture is likely to increase with climate change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The EEA\u2019s report shows that, despite some progress, Europe\u2019s waters and aquatic ecosystems are still severely impacted by chemicals<\/strong>, predominantly by air pollution from coal-powered energy generation<\/strong> and diffuse pollution by nutrients and pesticides from agriculture.<\/strong> Habitat degradation<\/strong> is also widespread. Adding to the challenge to protect aquatic ecosystems is climate change, which is disrupting weather patterns and further increasing pressures on water resources and management. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Only 37% of Europe\u2019s surface water bodies achieved \u2018good\u2019 or \u2018high\u2019 ecological status,<\/strong> a measure of aquatic ecosystem health, under EU\u2019s Water Framework Directive and only 29% achieved \u2018good\u2019 chemical status<\/strong> over the 2015-2021 period, according to data reported by EU Member States. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The health of Europe\u2019s waters is not good. Our waters face an unprecedented set of challenges that threatens Europe\u2019s water security. We need to redouble our efforts to restore the health of our valued rivers, lakes, coastal waters, and other water bodies and to make sure this vital resource is resilient and secure for generations to come. Leena Yl\u00e4-Mononen – EEA Executive Director<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Limited progress to date\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Measures taken by Member States have succeeded in avoiding further deterioration<\/strong> of the state of EU waters by addressing some chemical pollution and improving the prospects of some species, such as mussels and crustaceans, but no overall improvement<\/strong> has been detected since the last monitoring cycle.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Europe\u2019s groundwaters<\/strong> fare better than surface waters, with 77% being in good chemical status and in terms of supply, 91% of groundwaters are reported to be in good quantitative status. But problems remain in terms of pollution by pesticides and nutrients. Groundwater is a key source of our drinking water, and needed by the environment, agriculture and industry.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deadline set by the EU\u2019s Water Framework Directive (WFD) to meet good status for surface and groundwaters was 2015, and at the latest by 2027. At the rate of current progress, this will not be met.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The way ahead\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Europe\u2019s water resilience <\/strong>can be improved. Reducing water use and improving efficiency<\/strong> are key to tackling water stress in agriculture, industry and at home. Target setting<\/strong>, focused on saving water or reducing demand, could help drive action and facilitate monitoring of progress towards water resilience. Up-to-date and more timely information on water quantity and quality is also needed to improve water management<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pressures should be reduced. <\/strong>Pollution must be prevented in line with the objectives of the EU\u2019s zero pollution action plan<\/a>. In the short term, there is a need to reduce the use and prevent releases of harmful substances and nutrients to water.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nature restoration<\/strong> or reconnecting rivers and their floodplains and restoring wetlands and peatlands can lead to healthier, biodiverse freshwater ecosystems, which can supply good quality water while also storing carbon and mitigating the impact of extreme weather events.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n