Europe is facing an unprecedented drought crisis, and water shortages have exacerbated tensions between countries such as Spain and Portugal. When water sources dry up, borders become more than just political lines—they become barriers to cooperation, innovation, and survival. But what if we told you that removing these borders could be the key to combating water scarcity? Let's explore how joint efforts, inspired by the historic rivalry and cooperation between Spain and Portugal, can help transform water governance in Europe and why time for action is running out.
The Battle for Resources: Spain and Portugal's Struggle for Water In the Iberian Peninsula, where Spain and Portugal share rivers such as the Douro and Tagus, water has long been a source of both cooperation and conflict. As both countries rely on shared water sources for agriculture, energy and drinking water, the drought exacerbates existing tensions. Farmers on both sides suffered devastating losses, crops perished and water prices skyrocketed.
The numbers tell the story:
Spain's agricultural sector spends 60 billion dollars annually, but 80% of the water used goes to irrigation. In Portugal, agriculture faces similar pressures, bringing in $12 billion, but both countries have seen yields drop by 30% due to drought.
Arguments of cooperation without borders. Historically, the rivalry between Spain and Portugal for water dates back centuries, but in recent years both countries have recognized that competing for limited resources is a losing strategy. They began sharing technology such as advanced irrigation systems and collaborated on major infrastructure projects, including joint desalination plants.
Despite these efforts, current political boundaries still prevent truly effective collaborative water management. Removing or softening these borders could facilitate greater sharing of resources, such as the creation of transboundary water supplies and a unified drought response system.
The price of inaction: As climate change worsens, Europe as a whole must act. The European Drought Observatory reports that by 2050, almost half of Europe's population could live in water-scarce regions. In 2023, Portugal's environment minister warned that if no action was taken, "the cost of water could double or triple", leaving millions of people unable to afford basic water needs.
Voices from the field:
Farmers in Spain's Andalusia region are complaining about the rising cost of water, noting that "now we pay almost €3 per cubic metre, compared to €1 just five years ago".
Environmentalists argue that sharing water resources across borders is the only way to prevent the collapse of entire ecosystems.
Politicians such as Spain's Pedro Sánchez and Portugal's Antonio Costa have called for increased EU funding for transnational water projects, but there is growing recognition that political borders are still an obstacle to real change.
A future without borders: In the future, water scarcity may force European countries to reconsider their borders. The concept of "shared exploitation" may become the new norm, where countries cooperate rather than compete for water resources. For Europe to survive the coming water crisis, borders must be blurred and cooperation must replace rivalry.
The growing drought crisis in Europe, especially in regions such as Spain and Portugal, demonstrates the urgent need for a new approach to water management. By dismantling borders and fostering cooperation, Europe will be better able to overcome this inevitable catastrophe. Now is the time to act, and as water becomes more expensive than oil, political leaders must embrace a future where borders no longer divide us, but unite us in the struggle for survival.
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