Europe's heat is draining the water
Extreme heat, driven by climate change, is drying rivers, soils and reservoirs across Europe even when it rains. Portugal is among the most exposed countries.
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Seven days of the Pulse, curated into one weekly read.
Pulse
23 July 2026
Good morning from a sunny, water-conscious Portugal. Today the heat reminds us to look after our soils and reservoirs, while communities, students and farmers keep finding gentle ways to live more sustainably.
Water crisis hits Costa da Caparica tourism
A water supply crisis in peak season has triggered booking cancellations and losses for local hotels, with lingering damage to the destination's image.
ZERO urges strict rules for new airport
ZERO insists the new Luís de Camões airport and Portela expansion must undergo rigorous, transparent environmental assessment consistent with climate neutrality goals.
Renewable chemicals plant for Sines
Catalyxx will invest around 120 million euros in Sines to produce renewable chemicals from bioethanol, avoiding roughly 105,000 tonnes of CO2 a year.
Energy community grows in São João da Madeira
SANJOTEC and Cleanwatts are recruiting members for an energy community around a solar plant that could avoid nearly 49 tonnes of CO2 yearly.
Galp studies wind farm in the Alentejo
Galp is developing the Mira wind project with up to 22 turbines between Ourique and Odemira, hybridized with a solar plant, with work not before 2029.
1% of land for renewable zones
The government clarified municipalities must set aside at least 1% of their territory for renewable acceleration zones, easing earlier fears of much larger areas.
Serra da Estrela Natural Park turns 50
Seia joins the celebrations of the park's 50th anniversary with an event on 30 July at the Serra da Estrela Interpretation Centre.
Native plants available through Floresta Comum
Floresta Comum opened applications for its 16th edition, offering over 75,000 native plants of 39 species for reforestation and biodiversity projects.
Low-cost climate adaptation in the Algarve
A water and shade feature in Ameixial, built for under 50,000 euros, became an effective climate refuge and a replicable model for southern villages.
New irrigation network in Xévora
The Xévora irrigation network in Campo Maior was inaugurated, serving 1,560 hectares with about 44 km of pipes fed by the Abrilongo dam.
Efficient water use in Campo Maior
The Xévora system delivers pressurized water with lower energy use, supporting more efficient water management and crop diversification.
Healthier soils for resilient farms
A Vida Rural podcast explores soil microbial health, with researchers discussing how bacteria, fungi and mycorrhizae can make soil a competitive asset.
Reusable cloths cut hazardous waste
Industry is adopting reusable textile cloths instead of disposables, cutting hazardous waste and costs, as shown by a printing firm in Maia.
Doubts about the deposit-refund system
A study finds most Portuguese know the Volta system but rarely use it, often confusing the deposit with a tax, though many say they will try to adapt.
FEUP solar boat sails the coast
FEUP students launch the solar prototype Atlântico on a pioneering 800 km coastal expedition to prove the viability of solar power and natural materials.
A doctorate in Integral Ecology
The Catholic University will launch an interdisciplinary doctorate in Integral Ecology to train researchers and leaders for complex global challenges.
Rural innovation challenges advance
AJAP completed 60 outreach sessions nationwide and now opens applications for its Rural Innovation Challenges, awarding 12 projects.
Environmental education reaches thousands
Setúbal's municipal services engaged over 3,500 children in the first half of 2026 on water, recycling and sanitation, including a musical theatre show.
Mycorrhizae for stronger chestnuts
Deifil presented research on mycorrhizal fungi to boost chestnut resilience at the national nuts symposium in Castelo Branco.
Horticulture day in Póvoa de Varzim
AgriNavais' Horticulture Day gathered growers around local production versus global competition, spotlighting knowledge sharing and certification.
Madeira widens home renovation support
Madeira reinforced its PRID programme, raising support amounts and easing access, having already helped around 500 families.
Petition against Funchal skyscrapers
A petition with over 1,500 signatures asks Madeira's parliament to limit tall buildings to ten floors, opposing plans for towers over 20 storeys.
Leiria backs tourism innovation
Leiria will invest 7,500 euros in three tourism experiences using technology and AI for personalised itineraries and castle storytelling.
Over 50 flavours of homemade jam
Isabel Neto brings over 50 jams to the EXPOH fair, a family business born from using up orchard fruit to avoid waste.
Self-sustaining terrariums
Artisan Helen crafts self-sustaining terrariums with tropical plants and mostly local materials at the EXPOH fair in Oliveira do Hospital.
Night walk to Colcurinho returns
Alvoco das Várzeas holds its 14th night walk to Monte do Colcurinho on 14 August, a symbolic return after fires cancelled the 2025 edition.
Expedition to Penedo do Lexim
An LPN field course explored geology, biodiversity and saloio heritage around Penedo do Lexim and Aldeia da Mata Pequena.
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A short read every morning — what's happening across sustainable Portugal.
Recent
- Good morning. Today the wild side of Portugal takes the lead — a heavy bird, a night-flying moth and a lithium mine that keeps dividing a valley — before we settle into markets, mid-August fairs and one wooden lunchbox that goes straight into the oven.
- Bom dia. Today's Pulse leans towards land and water: fire prevention on the commons, a contested farm in the Alentejo, solar plans weighed against habitats, and a good handful of gentler things to do before the summer slips away.
- Good morning. Today the Gerês keeps the country talking, solar quietly takes the lead in our electricity mix, and there is honey, wheat and a sea hare along the way.
- Good morning. Today's Pulse looks at wolves and monk seals, cork festivals and shared bicycles, plus a solar eclipse that will briefly dim the country's panels.
- Good morning. Today's Pulse looks at nature restoration promises waiting to be kept, two islands testing what their technology and their vines can do, and new homes opening their doors from the Azores to Celorico de Basto.
- Good morning. Today's Pulse leans towards water and waste: a record-dry July, urgent repairs beneath Leiria, and a region rethinking where its rubbish goes.
- Good morning. Today's Pulse is shaped by water — a dry July, planned cuts and new investment — alongside grape growers making their voices heard, and small community projects quietly showing what circular living can look like.
- Good morning. Today's Pulse takes in wildfire prevention and water use, a giant frog made of rubbish in Ponte de Lima, salt marshes turned into laboratories, and quiet steps towards cleaner transport across the country.
- Good morning. Today's Pulse leans towards water, wildfire and wild things: protection plans for six Azorean islands, rabbits returning to the Côa, and a steady drumbeat of energy and water investment across the country.
- Bom dia. Today's Pulse runs from estuary protection and reservoir levels to a deposit-return deadline that lands next week, with a few small delights along the way.