"Are in the middle of the climate catastrophe": 80 billion euros in damage from extreme weather
Created: 07/18/2022, 13:32
By: Moritz Serif
Green politician Cem Özdemir says that the climate crisis has mutated into a catastrophe.
As an example, he cites images from southern Europe that are reminiscent of “horror films”.
Berlin – The climate crisis is worsening and is turning into a disaster in some places: extreme weather and the flood disaster of 2021 caused damage of more than 80 billion euros in Germany.
This is the result of a published prognosis study commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection.
Accordingly, a large part of the damage was to buildings and infrastructure.
Forestry and agriculture were also severely damaged by yield losses.
According to the study, at least 6.6 billion euros have been generated in Germany every year since 2000.
The dry summers of 2018 and 2019 caused high damage of more than 40 billion euros.
Climate crisis: Damage to biological diversity cannot be quantified
According to the authors, the overall damage only represents a lower limit - actual losses would be much higher, since the study cannot yet precisely quantify the health effects and consequences for biological diversity.
Steffi Lemke, Federal Environment Minister, reacted with alarm.
The "climate catastrophe" has already left a lot of destruction in Germany (archive picture).
© Boris Roessler/dpa/picture alliance
"We must and we will now invest more in climate protection and climate adaptation in order to better protect our population".
The ministry is currently working on a climate adaptation strategy and a national water strategy.
Economics Minister Robert Habeck said that the climate crisis was worsening worldwide.
Food production threatened by climate crisis
In Germany, too, hot and dry summers are increasingly threatening food production.
Joachim Rukwied, President of the German Farmers' Association, warned of "big losses" in the harvest.
Corn or potatoes would "suffer from the high temperatures".
There will be "big losses" if it doesn't rain in the near future.
Photos came from southern Europe "that depict horror scenarios from horror films, that's now reality," said Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir.
"We are in the middle of the climate crisis, you could also say: in the climate catastrophe".
Italy is struggling with a severe drought
What Özdemir means: Italy is struggling with the worst drought in 70 years.
Verona and Pisa ration water.
For example, drinking water in Verona may only be used from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. for cooking, drinking, showering and cleaning in the household until August 31st.
It is forbidden to water gardens or sports fields or to wash the car.
(mse with KNA/AFP)
