Climate Impacts in Germany: Special Issue of the Meteorological Journal

“An extreme weather event only turns into a natural disaster if it hits vulnerable structures,” says Fred Hattermann, one of the authors. “With this special edition we followed a new approach: we present both the natural scientific and the social aspects of the impacts of man-made climate change in Germany.” In summary, it can be said that the impacts of expected climate changes in Germany until mid-century will be rather moderate in some sectors and could even open up possibilities like winegrowing in so far unsuitable regions. However, other sectors like electricity generation in thermic power plants would have to face increasing restraints due to higher water temperatures and partly lesser drain. 

Germany is located exactly at the interface of the maritime climate with probably more precipitation and the continental climate with probably less precipitation. Taking a precautionary approach, the studies analyze rather dry climate scenarios. In each scenario, climate impacts beyond 2050 increase though, if greenhouse-gas emissions continue unabated.

The renowned Meteorological Journal is published by the Meteorological Societies of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The current special edition was compiled mainly by a team from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).