A Brief History of Extreme Weather in Germany - Germany Faces Severe Climate Change Consequences, Urgent Action Needed
Germany is grappling with the consequences of climate change, as seen in recent floods and rising temperatures. A 1986 report by German researchers warned of human-induced climate change, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has since confirmed these predictions.
The Ahrtal flood in 2021 and flooding in southern Germany in 2024 were attributed to inadequate preparation and climate change. Germany is heating up twice as fast as the rest of the world, with all of the warmest years in Germany occurring this century. The IPCC projects a temperature increase of 1.1 to 6.4 °C in Germany over the next 25 years, depending on emission pathways.
Sea levels at German coasts have risen significantly since 1990, with over 25 centimeters in Cuxhaven and over 20 centimeters in Warnemünde. Climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including droughts, heavy rain, and flooding. Southern cities are most affected, but northern Germany has also warmed since the mid-1990s. By mid-century, global temperatures could rise by three degrees based on current trends. The number of summer days and hot days in Germany has doubled and quadrupled respectively since the 1950s.
Without urgent climate action, particularly in sectors like buildings and transport, Germany faces severe consequences. Coastal protection is crucial to prevent flooding of large parts of the North Sea coast, including Hamburg, due to rising sea levels. The IPCC's projections underscore the need for immediate and ambitious climate policies.
