It’s been a hot European summer. But it’s not just the record-breaking heat waves or devastating wildfires that have everyone sweating. Magnified by the climate crisis, the high temperatures and lack of rain have caused water levels to plunge across Europe, with Western Europe particularly hard hit—crippling waterways, wreaking havoc on power production and shipping, and causing crops and countryside to wither.
The consequences of this historic drought are alarming—for human activity, ecosystems, and economies alike. But because those can sometimes be harder to put a face to, we’ve gathered some photos that show just how severe the situation has become. Keep scrolling for the stark reality of Europe’s drought.
