Stylianides was in Germany to talk to the Minister of the Interior, Thomas DeMaizière, as well as Brandenburg´s Minister of the Interior, Karl-Heinz Schröter. Among other things they discussed a new PIK study on necessary prevention from floods that could increase due to climate change, so that in the 2040s, about seven times as many people might be affected by flood risks in Germany alone. Besides one of the authors of this study and co-chair of PIK´s research domain Sustainable Solutions, Anders Levermann, Kirsten Thonicke took part in the informal exchange. She is vice-chair of PIK´s research domain Earth System Analysis and an expert in fire ecology. Droughts in the Mediterranean region and devastating forest fires for example in Portugal had been issues Stylianides has had to navigate.
Under the aegis of PIK Director Hans Joachim Schellnhuber it was discussed how science can support decision-makers in Brussels with expertise. "We need your help," Stylianides emphasized. He said the EU was ready to tackle the challenges ahead at the highest level.
