![What if Europe ran out of water? [Science and Technology Podcast] @EuroparlResearchService](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xH3TErPluk4/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 12 hours ago
Droughts and water scarcity are no longer rare or extreme events in Europe. About 20 % of the European territory and 30 % of Europeans are affected by water stress, especially in Southern Europe but also around some river basins in Western and Central Europe. And climate change will only make matters worse, increasing the frequency of extreme events and making the south even drier.
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https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/audio-podcasts.html
Droughts and water scarcity are no longer rare or extreme events in Europe. About 20 % of the European territory and 30 % of Europeans are affected by water stress, especially in Southern Europe but also around some river basins in Western and Central Europe. And climate change will only make matters worse, increasing the frequency of extreme events and making the south even drier.
Subscribe to EPRS Science and Technology Podcasts:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/audio-podcasts.html
![What if Europe ran out of water? [Science and Technology Podcast]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xH3TErPluk4/mqdefault.jpg "What if Europe ran out of water? [Science and Technology Podcast]
Droughts and water scarcity are no longer rare or extreme events in Europe. About 20 % of the European territory and 30 % of Europeans are affected by water stress, especially in Southern Europe but also around some river basins in Western and Central Europe. And climate change will only make matters worse, increasing the frequency of extreme events and making the south even drier.
Subscribe to EPRS Science and Technology Podcasts:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/audio-podcasts.html")
![Strategic technologies for Europe platform (STEP) [Policy Podcast]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/y2tGk4M6oy4/mqdefault.jpg "Strategic technologies for Europe platform (STEP) [Policy Podcast]
In June 2023, the European Commission tabled a proposal for a regulation establishing a new strategic technologies for Europe platform (STEP). STEP would rely on the reprogramming of funds under existing EU instruments. It would also come with an additional budget of €10 billion. Overall, the platform could leverage up to €160 billion in investment, of which €110 billion would be triggered by the top-up. STEP would direct funding to strategic projects supporting the development and manufacturing of deep and digital technologies, clean technologies and biotechnologies, and the strengthening of their value chains, to meet the challenges of the green and digital transitions.
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See the paper publication behind this podcast:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2023)754547")
![Combatting corruption in the European Union [Policy Podcast]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/z0fWz7jeFo8/mqdefault.jpg "Combatting corruption in the European Union [Policy Podcast]
Corruption is a major challenge for the European Union (EU), with all its Member States affected by the problem to some extent. The EU has gradually adopted laws addressing a range of corruption-related issues. However, the current legal framework remains patchy, the lack of minimum rules on the definition of criminal offences and sanctions in the area of corruption being one important missing element. Recently, corruption-related issues have been addressed almost exclusively within the EU rule of law framework, a development criticised by various stakeholders, including the European Parliament.
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🔎 See the paper publication behind this podcast: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)739241")
![People with disabilities and the European elections [Policy Podcast]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zESrQka_v5E/mqdefault.jpg "People with disabilities and the European elections [Policy Podcast]
Getting involved in political life: standing for elected office, joining a political party, or following the news; is at the heart of what it means to live in a democracy. People with disabilities are active citizens, keen to participate given the right opportunities. However, they face legal, administrative, institutional and accessibility barriers to taking part. Several EU initiatives encourage people with disabilities to participate in politics. With the 2024 European elections on the horizon, the European Parliament is committed to helping them take part.
See the publication behind this podcast: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_ATA(2024)757655
🎧Listen to our podcasts reporting on the latest EU policy developments, looking into the impact they will have on our lives and capturing their policy implications:
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#UseYourVote
#EUelections2024")
![What if we ran out of copper? [Science and Technology Podcast]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zT1-vr5ZQKs/mqdefault.jpg "What if we ran out of copper? [Science and Technology Podcast]
The copper market has recently been showing unusual instability. New EU legislation, though not always directly related, seems to be having a significant impact on copper prices. This is the case for the Chips Act and the Critical Raw Materials Act – designed to make EU industry more resilient by improving strategic autonomy – but also for laws concerning energy, artificial intelligence and digitalisation. New factors, including looming shortages in strategic raw materials – such as copper – may strongly influence political action.
See the publication behind this podcast:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2024/762870/EPRS_ATA(2024)762870_EN.pdf
🎧 Listen to our podcasts reporting on the latest science and technology developments, looking into the impact they will have on our lives and capturing their policy implications:
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/european-parliament-eprs-science/id1110775762?mt=2
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6XP9MnZdCDTnyDWXeDdnPx
YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPPfzoqPUImWL0O8VTtTNK1DTxiWxLJow&si=CBMMt4RYOllhxBbz")
![New European Parliament: First key tasks [Policy Podcast]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zkHZ2bJmBXs/mqdefault.jpg "New European Parliament: First key tasks [Policy Podcast]
With the European Elections now behind us, the process to kick-start the formation of the new European Parliament has begun. And a lot needs to happen between now and the official start of the new legislature on the 16th of July, in Strasbourg. So, if you’re a new Member of the European Parliament, and you’re listening to us, welcome to the European Parliament! Here’s what to expect next...
See the publication behind this podcast:
Timeline to new EU institutional leadership: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_ATA(2024)762293
Electing the European Parliaments President
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_ATA(2024)762340
Rules on political groups in the European Parliament
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2024)762337
🎧Listen to our podcasts reporting on the latest EU policy developments, looking into the impact they will have on our lives and capturing their policy implications:
iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/european-parliament-eprs-policy-podcasts/id1086996218?mt=2
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6gy0Q2GWrcpPsAE71iSiEn
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#EuropeanParliament")
