BRGM mag no.3: Coping with droughts
© BRGM
The drought of the summer of 1976 in France was regarded at the time as historic in terms of its duration, extent and consequences. Fifty years on, the problem has worsened, driven in particular by climate change. Droughts are now becoming increasingly frequent, occurring earlier, lasting longer and being more severe, and are affecting regions that were previously spared. In 2026 the drought has been even worse than that of 1976.
How can we manage resources and water abstraction to ensure that, throughout the year, there is sufficient good-quality water available for various uses? This is the aim of the research carried out by BRGM, which is specialised in groundwater and its interactions with associated ecosystems; it is also the main focus of BRGM mag no.3.
Adapting management to better conserve water resources
The prevention and management of droughts require an integrated approach to water resources through efficient use, continuous monitoring, climate preparedness, appropriate and/or nature-based technical solutions, and effective, shared governance.
BRGM’s activities and projects illustrate the diversity and complementarity of the available levers, namely:
- Monitoring and forecasting groundwater resources;
- Searching for new exploitable water resources, including water from former mining basins;
- Prevention of risks associated with droughts, particularly with regard to groundwater quality and the safety of buildings;
- Raising public awareness and supporting decision-making to ensure the availability of water resources;
- Supporting the implementation of structures and measures that promote aquifer sustainability, such as controlled recharge and underground physical barriers.
Contents of BRGM mag. no.3
EDITORIAL / Alain Dupuy: Drought: a range of responses to deal with crises
AT A GLANCE / BRGM news
RESEARCH NEWS / Understanding and assessing land subsidence to protect our coastlines
FEATURE / Tackling droughts: safeguarding water availability and quality in the context of climate change
INTERVIEW / Augustin Thomas: “Artificial intelligence offers promising ways of improving forecasts and informing decision-making to deal with climate change”
ANALYSIS / Mineral resources and conflicts: supplies under threat
IN THE FIELD / Groundwater: monitoring and forecasting aquifer levels
QUID? / Mystery photo
BRGM mag, a magazine about the strategic role of the subsurface in the major issues of our time
BRGM mag, BRGM's magazine for the general public, aims to provide the keys to understanding climate and related social and environmental challenges and to help readers discover solutions that the subsurface can provide.
This new issue of BRGM mag continues to pursue the editorial board's founding ambition, which is to share knowledge, enlighten and engage the public in dialogue and to make the Earth sciences accessible to as many people as possible. For beneath our feet lie some of the solutions for meeting today's environmental, energy and sovereignty challenges.
BRGM mag, which has about 20 pages and is published 3 times a year, is intended to be accessible to all, the general public, decision-makers, partners, teachers and students.
The magazine features:
- popular, educational articles that make scientific information understandable without oversimplifying it;
- a modern, attractive design that attracts readers and makes them want to pass it on to others;
- varied formats: in-depth articles, interviews, infographics, reports, FAQs, all designed to maintain interest in ways that are suitable for different topics.
