Climate change in Germany: frequent floods show urgent need for action
Climate change in Germany: frequent floods show urgent need for action
climate change not only leads to heat, drought and low water levels, but also heavy rain and floods. With the current floods in southern Germany, we are already experiencing the fourth large flood event within three quarters of a year. Last October there was a storm surge on the German coast, in winter it rained so heavily that entire areas were flooded and in May there were floods in Saarland. Now Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg have also been hit by floods. Dams broke, people had to leave their houses and there were high damage to roads, bridges and buildings. At least one person was killed. These events show that we have to prepare for more extreme events that will occur more and more due to climate change.
People have experienced heavy rain and floods in the past, but not in this intensity and frequency. The last extreme weather events were less destructive than the flood disaster in the Ahrtal in the summer of 2021 with over 130 dead, but this is not a reason for the all -clear.
It is important to take measures to avoid climate -damaging emissions in order to contain global warming and to prepare the country for the consequences of climate change. This includes checking which rivers need more natural space when your levels rise and which dikes are not high or strong enough. In addition, sealed areas should be renatured.The disaster protection in Germany is generally well positioned, and the alarm systems for warning the population have already been modernized as a result of the Ahrtal flood. But the question arises where structures can be improved and whether helpers need better equipment. This creates high costs, both for the provision and for the support of those affected and the repair of the infrastructure according to a disaster.
In order to meet this financial burden, the state must be financially able to act. Even in times of scarce coffers, the federal and state governments should be given, since the costs of unforeseen disasters have to be removed over a long period of time. Prime Minister of various political parties have already pointed out that this is not possible under the strict rules of the debt brake. At the latest in the upcoming legislative period, the political managers must regulate the state finances in order to meet the challenges of climate change.
In the following you will find a table with information about the last flood events:
| October 2020 | Sturm flood on the German coast | Dika broke, boats sank, heavy building damage |
| Winter 2020/2021 | Heavy rain in Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt | entire areas were under water |
| May 2021 | Flood in Saarland | Dams Broke, people had to leave houses, infrastructure damage |
| Summer 2021 | Flood disaster in the Ahr Valley | Over 130 dead, immense destruction |
It becomes clear that the frequency and intensity of the flood events has increased and that the previous measures and alarm systems were not sufficient to prevent the damage. A comprehensive adaptation of the infrastructure and precautionary measures is therefore urgently required.
climate change requires us that we are working both to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our country are crisis -proof. This is the only way we can successfully meet the challenges of the changing environment and keep the effects of climate change within limits
Source: Berliner Morgenpost/OTS