Ongoing extreme drought in Southern Italy fueled by climate change: Greenpeace Italy says oil giants like ENI must pay

Reacting to a new study from the research group World Weather Attribution that confirms anthropogenic climate change has increased the likelihood of the ongoing drought in Sicily and Sardinia by 50 percent,

Federico Spadini, Greenpeace Italy's Climate Campaigner, said:

"Water shortage has brought two main Italian islands to their knees for months and f it is now scientifically certain to pin that on climate crisis. Paying the price for extreme drought in Sardinia and Sicily are people suffering water rationing, natural ecosystems and entire productive sectors, including agriculture and tourism. These damages are a direct result of the actions by the polluting class. Oil and gas companies, such as ENI, should instead be held accountable."

The climate disruptions caused by our dependence on oil, gas and coal are bound to worsen if we do not end the exploitation of fossil fuels as soon as possible. Yet even while Sicily suffers from increasing aridity, just a few kilometers from its shores ENI has just started new fossil gas production at the Argo Cassiopea field. The plant has received the go-ahead and applause from the Meloni government, which offers no plans for Italian regions and farmers most affected by drought and other extreme weather events.

Fossil fuel companies must take responsibility for the climate crisis and pay for its consequences, including in court. That is why Greenpeace Italy and ReCommon have joined twelve Italian citizens in launched "The Just Cause," a lawsuit against ENI, for past and future damages resulting from the climate crisis, to which the company's emissions have contributed, continuing to extract gas and oil despite despite long known the effects of these activities on the global climate.

Photos:

Media can use photos of Italy's drought available on the Greenpeace Media Library

For media enquiries, please contact:

Greenpeace Italy Press Office, Felice Moramarco, [email protected]

Tal Harris, Greenpeace International, Global Media Lead - Stop Drilling Start Paying campaign, [email protected]