Droughts are quietly pushing Europe back into fossil fuels
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Europe's clean energy efforts are being undermined by droughts, which force countries to rely on fossil fuels and increase emissions. The resulting pollution has significant environmental and health impacts, with estimated costs of $26 billion.
Europe's transition to clean energy is being hindered by droughts, which weaken hydropower and lead to increased reliance on fossil fuels. Between 2017 and 2023, 25 European countries experienced a surge in fossil fuel generation, resulting in an additional 141 million tons of CO2 emissions. The environmental impact is compounded by the release of pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and PM2.5, which pose serious health risks. Countries like Bulgaria, Spain, and Italy were particularly affected, while France saw a reduction in coal use during droughts. The estimated cost of the extra fossil fuel use is $26 billion, reflecting damage to health, the environment, and the energy system. To mitigate this issue, researchers suggest diversifying the energy mix and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
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