Droughts in Northern Italy: Taken by Surprise, Again.

This article analyses origins and impacts of unexpected vulnerabilities revealed by a long-lasting period of drought events across the Po river basin district, in Northern Italy, from 2003 to 2012. The study reveals that climate change effects advance at the same pace of land and water over-exploitation, to the detriment of environmental quality and human well-being. Even if the district is water-rich under normal climate conditions, recurrent droughts continue to highlight the same vulnerabilities. Little improvements have been achieved. Four policy options are identified to turn these threats into adaptation opportunities.