Drought to hit Europe's tourism sector

In parts of Spain and Italy, the heat was particularly severe.

Temperatures in Spain climbed to nearly 30C, far higher than normal for this time of year, while parts of eastern central Europe and southern Europe were averaging 20C, around 10C above the average. 

The extreme weather conditions have prompted Acosol, a water utility company in Western Costa del Sol in Spain, to submit proposals that would limit residents in relation to the filling and replenishment of private swimming pools.

Meanwhile, Junta de Andalusia, situated in the southernmost region of Spain, has a drought decree in place with a view to restricting water to safeguard production sector supplies. 

A total of €217m was ploughed into water reduction measures to mitigate potential issues.

Maynooth University professor of geography and climate change Peter Thorne described last summer's heatwaves and the records being set early this year as “just a small taste” of what is ahead.

“This is just what we are seeing today. What we will see is increasing frequency and ferocity as we move forward. 

"It’s going to increasingly come to the forefront. 

What we're experiencing in terms of many of the extremes this year around the globe is simply a foretaste of what’s to come.

He explained how airmiles clocked up by Irish holidaymakers are contributing to the problem.

“A short-haul flight into Europe releases about half a tonne of carbon dioxide emissions. 

"These are just the extra emissions carrying you so the argument that the plane was going anyway is somewhat muted. 

"Flying on holiday results in the most consequential climate impacts we have.” 

He urged people to do their part by curbing air travel and holidaying in Ireland, or adapting their travel methods when overseas.

"There are also opportunities to slow travel to Europe which are far lower impact. 

"Drought has a much longer-lived impact than flooding, which is what we’ve been principally dealing with in Ireland. 

"The most significant impacts are on locals, agricultural productivity, and of course people’s enjoyment of the country. 

"However, the major impacts are going to be felt in things in things like the supermarket food prices because food will become more expensive.” 

Mr Thorne said that people will need to be vigilant to mitigate the effects of climate change.

“If we're going to reach net zero, we need to get a lot more serious about our travel-based emissions. 

"Our transport sector emissions nationally have been increasing, without even counting international travel. 

"However, international aircraft emissions have been increasing substantially over recent decades with the exception of the covid-19 pandemic when it basically went to zero. 

There is a cognitive dissonance about this, that one’s personal actions don't matter, but ultimately it is the actions of 8bn people that are driving this problem. 

The Government has to play its part, but they cannot do it all.” 

Director of the Tourism Office of Spain in Dublin, Ruben López-Pulido, said that water usage limits in countries like Spain are nothing new.

"This is our lifestyle. There are always measures in place to manage water. That has been happening since the Roman times," he said. 

"Spain is one of the countries that is going to suffer the most because it is one of the most southern locations in Europe. 

"We have been living like this for centuries. What is in place in Spain right now is not a crisis. 

"This is about saving the planet. Such a word has not been mentioned among the Spanish media whatsoever.”