What’s the impact of the drought in the Rhine River?
Dropping water levels in Germany’s crucial river are threatening its shipping industry.
Many countries are in the grip of intense heatwaves that are causing some of the world’s crucial rivers to dry up.
In parts of Europe, waterways have dropped to near-record levels, halting marine traffic and disrupting factories and industries.
Now, Germany is facing a crisis as the Rhine River – its most important shipping route – becomes difficult for ships to navigate.
That is not only affecting freight supplies and costs but its energy sector, too.
So what will this mean for Europe’s struggling largest economy?
Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom
Guests:
Ulrich Brueckner – Professor of political science at Stanford University in Berlin
Nick Sitter – Professor of public policy at Central European University and BI Norwegian Business School
Hubertus Bardt – Managing director and head of research at the German Economic Institute