Climate Change on the Garonne

The Garonne faces severe climate impacts. Pyrenean glaciers that feed it are disappearing. Summer flows have decreased 20% in recent decades. Wine regions face unprecedented heat. Traditional agriculture struggles with new patterns of flood and drought.

Yet adaptation flourishes. In Toulouse, floating gardens inspired by Aztec chinampas and Bangladeshi designs cool the river while growing food. Bordeaux experiments with drought-resistant grape varieties from Greece and Lebanon. Farmers transition from water-intensive corn to sorghum and millet, guided by African agricultural advisors.

"Climate change makes everyone an immigrant," observes agronomist Dr. Leila Hassani. "Traditional French farming must learn from hot-country techniques. Moroccan dry-farming, Australian water harvesting, Israeli drip irrigation—the Garonne region becomes a laboratory for adaptation."