Austria's climate change alarm: is our life in danger?

Austria's climate change alarm: is our life in danger?

Österreich, Land - The second Austrian status report on climate change (AAR2) shows alarming results on climatic development in Austria. The report, which was published today, comprises around 800 pages and is the result of over three years of intensive work from more than 200 researchers from over 50 institutions. The financial resources come from the climate and energy fund of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management (BMLUK) Government website informs .

global and local challenges

The world suffers from the consequences of an unstoppable climate change, which has been massively reinforced by the continuous release of greenhouse gases since industrialization. Global temperature rise and natural disasters such as floods, droughts and forest fires have become increasingly clear. Similar tendencies show in Austria: hot, dry summer and less snowy winters are predominant. The leader of the concerns are the agricultural and forestry, which are faced with earnings and quality losses Environmental Federal Agency analyzes .

The increase in extreme weather events not only has serious economic consequences, but also health risks through heat stress and the changed spread of pathogens. Vulnerable groups within the population are particularly badly affected. The report underlines the need for a quick changeover of fossil fuels and electrification in various sectors to counter the challenges of climate change.

options options and future prospects

The AAR2 not only provides a scientific basis, but also options for achieving the climate goals and shows the need for a new climate law. The report recommends the expansion of public transport, the renovation of buildings and the protection of wetlands as central measures. Climate protection must not be pushed onto the long bench, because implementation must be done quickly and profoundly.

Austria's carbon budget is already largely exhausted, which illustrates the need for faster implementation. Compliance with the international climate goals, in particular participation in the United Nations Climate Framework Convention and the Convention of Paris, is of immense importance. These contracts aim to limit global warming to well below 2 ° C, and require substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from all member states to prevent catastrophic disorder from the climate system.