The Netherlands has long feared that climate change would bring overwhelming floods. Now, Europe’s record drought is showing that too little, not too much water, could spell disaster. Picture: BLOOMBERG
While the Dutch have long feared that climate change would see their homes engulfed by rising sea levels, Europe’s record drought is showing that too little, not too much water, could spell disaster. As many as one million Dutch houses built on pile foundations face similar problems to the Rijksmuseum and are at risk of collapse.
As a changing climate continues to ravage the continent, the Dutch are having to rethink their strategy of water management — trying to lock in groundwater instead of keeping the sea out. For its part, the government has focused on co-funding research and providing advice to local authorities and an association of affected homeowners. A new national platform that will centralise and pool knowledge is due to be launched in the next few months, said Marcus Polman of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, which carries out policy for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.
Even with adequate funding, a shortage of qualified engineers will slow down remediation efforts, according to Jaap Estié, president of the Dutch Foundation Builders’ Association.
I imagine this is far less dangerous than that young man sticking his finger in a dyke.