Climate change alarmed: Flood risk in Europe is rising rapidly!

Climate change alarmed: Flood risk in Europe is rising rapidly!

Ahrtal, Deutschland - experts are increasingly warning of the rising flood risk in Europe. A large number of studies show that extreme events such as heavy rain and floods have increased significantly in recent years. The flood disaster in the Ahr Valley, Germany, documented over 180 dead and considerable destruction in July 2021. Eastern Austria also experienced serious floods in September 2024. According to an analysis of the [Kleine Zeitung] (https://www.kleinezeitung.at/service/newsticker/chronik/19606766/experten-weisende-steigende- Hochwasserfahr-in-Europa-Hin), a north-south slope in Austria is to be determined: While the dangers are increasing in the north, the probability remains in the south same.

historicity and climate models play a central role in the analysis of the flood risk. Studies in recent years, in particular one of 2017 in the “Science” journal, have proven the influence of climate change on flood events. These studies use historical weather data paired with climate simulations to examine the effects of the increasingly unstable weather.

climate change and extreme weather

The current weather extremes are not accidental. The [wwf] (https://www.wwf.de/themen-projekte/klimapolitik-international/klimaf research-right-wing-Sind-folgen-des-Klimawandel) documents in a new report of working group I of the World Climate Council (IPCC) that the surface temperatures on earth have increased as quickly as never before. This goes hand in hand with an unchecked increase in greenhouse gas concentrations and an increase in sea levels, which favored extreme weather events such as heavy rain and droughts.

The analysis shows that floods on the coasts, which used to occur only once in 100 years, will soon be possible annually. It is also noteworthy that human activities, such as the sealing of floors and river guidelines, significantly increase the risk of floods.

risk management and necessary adjustments

Awareness of the limits of flood protection measures such as dikes and retention basins is often inadequate. The handling of flood events is usually reactively, and there are only adjustments to risk management after disasters. Due to the experiences from the floods in 2002 and 2013 along the Danube, Austria made progress.

I will open its Geozentrum for interested laypersons next Sunday and presents the “Market of Sciences”. This is a step to sensitize the population for the complex relationships between climate change and flood risks. The EGU conference will also treat relevant topics on flood risk analyzes and management.

global changes and future prospects

The DW emphasizes that a variety of people worldwide is increasingly affected by storms, floods and droughts. The increase in the building in flood areas and the increasing frequency of natural disasters since 1980 illustrate the need for action. In order to counteract the ear heating, it is crucial to take emission -reducing measures and to increasingly devote themselves to adaptation to climate changes. This includes, among other things, the recovery of natural flooding areas and the renaturation of water. The need to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius is considered primarily.