While here in Belgium we have been moaning for weeks about the persistent rain, the south of France is facing a different reality

SOBRIETY

A ‘drought crisis’ has been officially declared in the south of France since 10 May: a ban on washing cars, garden-watering and pool-filling is in place. Moreover, France’s Ecological Transition Minister Christophe Béchu took the step to ban sales of garden pools, this is to prevent people from being tempted to do what they are in fact not allowed to do anyway – which is to fill them. In other words, a clear example of how water scarcity affects our current lifestyle. How many unsustainable businesses risk losing their market because their products are incompatible with a water-scarce economy?

PRICE OF WATER SHORTAGE

Then again, in the Netherlands, a government-initiated fictitious online shop was created with everyday products that are becoming unaffordable due to the effects of the growing water shortage: Five grains of rice for $89.95 (82 euros), a 15-millilitre bottle of drinking water (one tablespoon) for $198 (180 euros), 28 sheets of toilet paper for $299 (272 euros), or a small steak (35 grams) for just $2899 (640 euros). The prices are based on the number of litres needed to produce the various items. This fake e-commerce, called “The Drop shop”, is an initiative developed following the last UN water conference in March and with the aim of demonstrating the impact of a global water crisis on the cost of everyday products. You can explore the shop here and learn more about the challenges we face.

SOURCES

• https://vert.eco/
• https://www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65494306.amp
• https://thedropstore.org/