Is Tenerife drying out? This question is not idly posed, as the impact of climate change is also being felt in Tenerife.
More than once, we’ve written that not all that glitters is gold. Behind an idyllic façade lie numerous pressing problems that are foundational for society. It’s not just mobility and various local obstacles that remain unresolved; persistent drought is sharpening the government’s focus on intervention.
For over six years, Tenerife has been grappling with a drought that goes beyond the occasional rain showers that provided some relief here and there. This is not a temporary phenomenon but a prolonged condition of climate change having a significant impact on the island.
Water Law
The situation reached a critical point when Blanca Pérez, Minister for Natural Environment, Sustainability, and Safety of the Cabildo (island government), declared a state of emergency, a decision that underscores the seriousness of the situation.
Blanca Pérez recently confirmed that the drought affecting Tenerife has persisted for over six years. This was stated during the opening of the conference on Tenerife’s water situation, organized by the Consejo Insular de Aguas (CIATF) – the council that monitors and manages water resources. The drought began to manifest in 2016, with the exception of the water year 2021-2022.
Climate Change
The water law was recently tightened so that the island can be partially or fully placed in an emergency situation. Moreover, municipalities are given the authority to declare a water alarm on their territory. The balsas – the water reservoirs – are at 44% of their storage capacity, resulting in about 800,000 cubic meters less water, or 13% less than a year ago. A single day of rain is merely a drop in the bucket and is not sufficient to bridge the upcoming summer period.
The drought in Tenerife results from a complex interplay of factors. Climate change plays a significant role, with changing weather patterns leading to reduced precipitation and longer dry seasons. These changes affect not only the water supply for domestic and industrial use but also have a profound impact on Tenerife’s agricultural sector, which has been suffering for far too long.
Wake-up Call
The drought not only affects water availability but also exposes the island’s vulnerability to climatic extremes and the need for a robust and resilient water management system. The current situation underscores the critical need for sustainable solutions and long-term planning to ensure water security in Tenerife. This includes investments in water conservation and reuse technologies, such as the development of portable desalination plants that can serve as a vital tool for agriculture during the summer.
Is Tenerife drying out? Not quite yet. Tenerife’s drought is a wake-up call, not just for the island but for the world, about the urgent need to act against climate change and to embrace sustainable practices that protect our natural resources. Water is, and remains, the source of all life, including in Tenerife.
Unknown © Photography
Is Tenerife drying out? ©
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