Current heat wave in Germany – more often in the future
This is the result of a Europe-wide, unparalleled study, commissioned by the Federal ministry for nutrition and agriculture. It is based on the analysis of weather station data of the past five decades, as well as climate models which depict weather changes up until 2098.
“Handling the extreme weather conditions will be a challenge. Thanks to the study, we can better estimate what is coming towards us, and make the right adjustments”, Christian Schmidt, federal minister of agriculture, emphasizes. Heat and drought especially affect the yield in plant production.
Of course, agriculturalists have varied options for adjusting to the changed weather conditions and protect from heat and drought. In many companies, corresponding risk management is already standard nowadays. Choosing suitable species and cultivation methods can reduce loss of yield. A versatile field agriculture, which spreads the risk across several cultivated plants, is less susceptible to extreme weather conditions. Furthermore, insurances, and in especially extreme cases, the state, acquire an interest in risk management.
“Despite all options for adaptation, the most important goal of the federal government is to altogether reduce the climate change and its effects”, agricultural minister Schmidt emphasizes.
The end report of the study, as well as further information on the research project, can be found at http://www.agrarrelevante-extremwetterlagen.de
Source: www.bmel.de