Newsletter "UBA aktuell" - No.: 4/2022 | Umweltbundesamt

Heat, drought, and heavy rainfall: what Germany can do about it

Climate change is causing an increase in extreme weather in Germany. Source: Bernd Brueggemann / Fotolia.com und mb67 / Fotolia.com

Because of climate change, Germany is facing more and more hot summer days with temperatures above 30 °C and tropical nights with temperatures of at least 20 °C. Heat waves are now at least five times more likely than they were in 1900. This is particularly detrimental to vulnerable people such as the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions in densely populated inner cities. Extensive ground sealing and building development, as well as little greenery, result in particularly intense heat in these areas.

Climate change is also resulting in a decrease in soil moisture in Germany. As of 15 July 2022, the topsoil (down to 30 cm) showed drought stress throughout almost all of Germany, and in some cases extreme drought stress, and this had corresponding consequences not only for forests, agriculture, and forestry. At the same time, rain is increasingly falling as heavy rain – which runs off quickly, sometimes leaving devastation in its wake, as was the case last year in the Ahr valley.

In addition to the rapid reduction of environmentally harmful greenhouse gas emissions, there is an urgent need to adapt to the consequences of climate change. We need to combat the heat in the inner cities by significantly increasing the amount of green space and providing more shade through external sun protection on buildings. Dedicated floodplains along the rivers can help to prevent damage from heavy rain and simultaneously retain water in the landscape for dry periods. Water needs to be used carefully everywhere, which is to say that it should be kept free of pollution and used sparingly; for example, by mulching in agriculture to avoid the soil drying out, or by collecting rainwater in private gardens and only watering the garden in the cool morning or evening hours. You can find much more information and recommendations from the German Environment Agency by clicking on the following links.

First half of 2022: Significantly more electricity from wind and sun

In the first half of 2022, renewable energy sources generated about 14 percent more electricity than in the first six months of last year, in Germany. Initial estimates from the Working Group for Renewable Energy Statistics (AGEE-Stat) suggest that the share of renewable energies in gross electricity consumption was about 49 percent. This figure was just 41 per cent for 2021 as a whole. read more (in German)

Designing cities that are liveable and sustainable for all

Heat, noise, air pollutants and a lack of green space often become concentrated in disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods – to the detriment of people's health and quality of life. Good examples from municipal practice demonstrate how different stakeholders can work together successfully to achieve greater environmental justice and healthy environmental and living conditions for all population groups. read more (in German)

Pesticide authorisations threaten our groundwater and drinking water

The quality of drinking water in Germany is excellent. Its main source, groundwater, is afforded a high level of protection and should be as free from chemical residues as possible. The current legal framework for the authorisation of pesticides, however, poses a threat to the quality of groundwater and drinking water in the long term, as it is currently only possible to limit substance inputs into groundwater to a limited extent. read more (in German)

Blue Angel: new term of office for the eco-label jury

In June 2022 at the constituent meeting of the Environmental Label Jury at the Federal Environment Ministry, Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke welcomed the members of the Jury and bid farewell to the members of the previous term of office. Criteria for the award of three new eco-labels have been adopted: Last mile delivery services, low-pollutant facade paints, and roofing and sealing membranes. read more (in German)

Changes to the Packaging Act as of 1 June 2022

The obligation for packaging manufacturers to register themselves will be extended as of 1 July 2022. A new responsibility for electronic marketplaces and fulfilment service providers is also coming into force. This further increases producer responsibility. read more (in German)

Earth Overshoot Day: resources for 2022 spent

We humans do not live sustainably. 28 July is Earth Overshoot Day, marking the date when mankind has used up all the biological resources that the Earth regenerates in the course of a year, according to calculations by the Global Footprint Network. More must be done to protect resources and the climate. Consumers and politicians alike can contribute to this. read more (in German)

Final data on nitrogen dioxide levels in 2021

The nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) measurement data for 2021 for all air monitoring stations in Germany are available: the annual mean air quality limit of 40 micrograms NO₂ per cubic metre of air (µg/m³) was exceeded in Munich, Essen, and Ludwigsburg. In 2020, 6 cities exceeded the limit. In 2019, 25 cities were still experiencing exceeded limit values, compared to 57 in 2018. read more (in German)

Bacterial resistance in sewage sludge

Sewage sludge contains a multitude of substances that we do not want in the environment. These are transferred into the sewage sludge during wastewater treatment. The quality of the sludge depends on factors such as location. A new study has shown that the size of a sewage treatment plant has no influence on the occurrence of resistance genes or resistant bacteria and pollutants in sewage sludge. read more (in German)

Germany hands over HELCOM chairmanship to Latvia

On 1 July 2022, the two-year chairmanship of the Helsinki Commission for the protection of the marine environment of the Baltic sea (HELCOM) will pass to Latvia. During Germany's chairmanship, the topics of biodiversity and climate were strengthened, solutions for ammunition dumps and underwater noise were tackled, and measures for combating the pollution of the Baltic Sea with nutrients, pollutants and waste were deepened. read more (in German)

EU agricultural policy: "Greening" produced hardly any improvement for the environment

When "greening" was introduced as part of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in 2013, the aim was to improve water and soil quality, protect the climate, and increase biodiversity. This has only been achieved in a very minor way, and it has also come at a high price. This is the conclusion drawn by a study by the Thünen Institute on behalf of the German Environment Agency. read more (in German)

Eight success factors for successfully involving young people

What factors are decisive in determining whether youth participation programmes are successful? This was the subject of a recent study by the German Environment Agency, which looked at the issue of "sustainable consumption" and produced comprehensive recommendations for practical application. An important conclusion: whether or not one's own commitment is perceived as impactful and visible is crucial. read more (in German)

Around 22 kilograms of avoidable food waste were generated per person in Germany in 2020.

more information (in German)