In a unique demonstration on August 1, 2024, Hungarian farmers led two camels through downtown Budapest to draw attention to the severe impact of climate change on the country's agricultural sector. The protest, involving approximately 60 participants, musicians, and performance artists, aimed to highlight the growing threat of desertification in Hungary.
Laszlo Kulcsar, the protest organizer, explained the symbolism behind using camels:
"The link between camels and the desert is obvious. That is why we thought of this idea to use camels to highlight the desertification of the country."
The demonstration focused on the critical agricultural zone of Homokhatsag, which produces essential crops such as corn, grain, and sunflowers. This region, part of the Great Hungarian Plain that covers about half of the country's land area, has been particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Hungary's agricultural sector, which contributes about 4% to the country's GDP and employs 4.7% of the workforce, has faced significant challenges in recent years. The country, a major producer of corn, wheat, and sunflower seeds in Europe, has experienced several severe droughts in the past decade, causing substantial economic losses.
The protesters called for government action to address water management issues. Peter Balogh, a farmer participating in the demonstration, emphasized the need for a shift in approach:
"Right now rivers are constrained between dams, we have strict flood protection, we are protecting ourselves from floods, but instead of that, we should be managing floods."
The impact of climate change on Hungary's agriculture has been severe. In 2022, a "historic" drought resulted in losses of approximately 1000 billion forints ($2.7 billion) for the agricultural sector. The situation has not improved significantly, with a recent Hungarian Meteorological Service report indicating that over 80% of the country's territory is experiencing mid-level to severe drought conditions.
Economist Gyorgy Rasko estimated that the 2024 drought has already caused a loss of at least 240 billion forints ($655 million) in profits from corn production alone. These figures underscore the urgent need for adaptive measures and climate change mitigation strategies.
Hungary has been taking steps to address these challenges. The country has implemented a National Climate Change Strategy and set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. Additionally, investments in renewable energy sources and irrigation projects have been made to combat the effects of climate change and drought.
As Hungary's average annual temperature has increased by about 1°C since the early 20th century, the frequency of extreme weather events is expected to rise. The farmers' protest serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle faced by the agricultural sector and the need for comprehensive solutions to ensure food security and economic stability in the face of a changing climate.