How Spain’s persistent drought is affecting the landscape and agriculture, and why it may have consequences for Norway.

The drought in Spain will have consequences for Norway, climate scientist believes.

The persistent drought in Spain has brought with it a number of consequences, including parched olive groves and very low water reservoirs. In parts of Spain, water restrictions have also been introduced for residents – water has become a luxury item.

Now the lack of water and its consequences are also visible from space. New images from NASA show how the persistent drought in Spain has led to drastic changes in the landscape.

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Climate researcher at Vestlandsforskning, Carlo Aall, tells VG that he does not think this is the last time we will see such images.

– This is a picture of what we fear we will only see more of in the future, says Aall.

The pictures from NASA are taken one year apart. In May 2022, large parts of the vegetation were green, this year most of it is brown. This is due to the prolonged drought in the country.

– Worst period in 100 years

According to CNN Spain has been in a prolonged drought since the end of 2022, and it is only getting worse.

– Drought periods are typical for the Catalan Mediterranean climate. But this is the worst period we have had in 100 years, says Samuel Reyes, director of the Catalan waterworks, to the broadcaster.

The amount of precipitation in Spain between 1 October last year and 23 May this year decreased by 27 percent, compared to the average for the period, writes Reuters.

At the same time, a number of heat records have been set in the country, including 38.1 degrees was measured in April in Cordoba.

– First time I’ve lost everything

As a result of the persistent drought, huge crops have been destroyed. In early May, CNN reported that the drought affected 60 percent of the landscape, and more than 3.5 million hectares of crops had been lost.

The examination shows that nine out of ten Spaniards are very or quite worried about the lack of rain.

Farmer Ricardo Ferri has completely written off the harvest of the grain he has sown.

– No matter where you look, the soil is completely dry. There is not a single drop of moisture here. It’s the first time I’ve lost everything because of the drought, says Ferri France24.

– I don’t want to give up and sell the farm, but if I get more years like this, I have no other choice.

Aall confirms that the drought has had enormous consequences.

– The grain harvest in Spain is ruined, he says.

Must spend NOK 24 billion

The Spanish government has decided to spend two billion euros, or NOK 26 billion, to help local farmers and consumers who have been affected by the persistent drought.

The drought has also caused major challenges in olive oil production, and large parts of the ecosystem in the Doñana National Park are also in danger of collapsing due to persistent drought, writes EuroNews.

Climate scientist Aall says that we in Norway will also feel the consequences of Spain’s dry plains.

– It is guaranteed that the prices of food will go up, he believes.

– But it is not our fault. We can only buy ourselves out of it. It is much more to blame for the poorest countries, he adds.

Been raining a lot

In recent days it has rained heavily in parts of Spain. Roads have been flooded and Reuters writes that schools were closed as a result of the heavy rain.

Aall says that such large variations are something we will see more of in the future.

– One is that it will get warmer, but there will also be greater variations, he adds.