Extreme Weather Congress: Fears for the future for Schleswig-Holstein!

Extreme Weather Congress: Fears for the future for Schleswig-Holstein!

Things are heating up in Hamburg's Hafencity right now, because the Extreme Weather Congress will take place on September 24th and 25th, 2025. Under the title “Sea level rise and more frequent storm surges in Schleswig-Holstein”, experts are invited to talk about explosive topics that affect us all. Environment Minister Tobias Goldschmidt from the Greens will warn about the rising costs of climate protection and necessary adaptation measures. And the alarm bells are ringing louder than ever. The years 2022 and 2023 were the hottest since systematic measurements began in Germany, according to [DWD] reports.

It is becoming increasingly clear that we are at a turning point. Since the 1970s, every decade has been warmer than the previous one. Sea level rise and the frequency of storm surges require immediate action. These catastrophic weather events are not just isolated, but are closely linked to global warming. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), we are experiencing the fastest increase in the Earth's surface temperature in 2,000 years, and with no prospect of improvement.

The effects of climate change

Climate changes are clearly evident in Germany: heat waves have increased dramatically, while severe frost periods are decreasing. Projections suggest that coastal flooding, which once occurred once every 100 years, could now occur annually. A report also states that human activities such as soil sealing are exacerbating the situation. Climate change has made heavy rainfall 1.2 to 9 times more likely, and these developments affect not only Schleswig-Holstein, but all of Europe.

The Extreme Weather Congress will focus on how we can adapt and counteract climate change. It is time to take these challenges seriously and develop solutions together. These are not easy times, but the need to act is more urgent than ever. The ecological restoration of river courses and the restoration of flood plains could contribute to improving flood protection, according to the WWF's recommendations.

Everyday life in Schleswig-Holstein

While the experts are working on urgent solutions, there is also other news from Schleswig-Holstein. The AOK NordWest reported that the number of video consultations in 2024 increased by a whopping 47 percent compared to the previous year. Digital healthcare is gaining momentum.

But the dark side of life is also evident: in Wesseln, silver worth around 1,000 euros was stolen from the Protestant Kreuzkirche. The perpetrators caused material damage of 250 euros. There are also other important cases pending in the judiciary. A trial against a 22-year-old for attempted murder begins on October 2, 2025, while a trial against two 19-year-olds for attempted murder of a 13-year-old is pending in Kiel-Hassee. A quick look at the weather today shows lots of sunshine with highs between 16 and 18 degrees - ideal weather for thinking about our environment.

There are definitely many challenges that accompany us in Schleswig-Holstein. Plans to adapt to the changing world are well underway, and we can only hope that our commitment to climate action bears fruit. Solutions must be addressed quickly because global warming is not taking a break.

You can find further information about the urgent issues and the latest developments on the following pages: NDR, [DWD].