Sizzling Sicily: Water rationing fuels illegal trade amid drought

Global warming is neither a conspiracy theory nor an invention of left-wing circles and politicians. Its effects are visible to the naked eye every day. We regularly receive news about droughts, heat waves, and unbearable temperatures. In Spain and Romania, residents endure extreme weather conditions that are advisable to stay indoors. We're talking about 104 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be lethal.

Environmental activists consistently emphasize that global warming and climate change are realities that must be combated. They advocate for minimal plastic use, reduced meat consumption, and traveling by train or bicycle. All these measures aim to make situations like those faced by the residents of Sicily rare rather than a new normal that we must accept. The focus is on preventing water scarcity and the need for water rationing.

Alarming reports are coming from Sicily, where residents grapple with intense droughts. The situation is so severe that water rationing has been implemented. Unsurprisingly, this has led to public discontent and protests against the authorities. Residents demand more effective solutions to the lack of clean and potable water access. Water rationing has been in effect in Palermo since Monday, and similar restrictions have been imposed in over 100 municipalities.

Residents of many cities and villages now depend on illegal water tankers that arrive every few days. Unfortunately, access to this water comes at a hefty price, with "traders" charging restaurateurs between 250 and 400 euros for a supply barely sufficient to run their businesses. While there are also tankers from local authorities, they are woefully inadequate and arrive only every few weeks.