Climate change continues to progress constantly: Increasing temperatures, more and more extreme weather events and rising sea levels have far-reaching consequences – not only in Germany but also worldwide. The impact of heat stress, water shortages and flooding is increasing for people, the environment, industry and infrastructures.
Research as a key to climate change mitigation and adaptation
Avoiding greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) or methane is the biggest task to be tackled in order to mitigate the effect of climate change. But which measures can we use and where to avoid greenhouse gases at a large scale and thus contain climate change? BMBF-funded research projects provide answers and generate knowledge which helps to identify viable solutions.
Removal and storage of carbon dioxide
Avoiding greenhouse gases alone will not suffice to achieve our climate objectives. Unavoidable residual emissions or those difficult to avoid will remain, for example in the energy-intensive steel and cement industries. That is why we also need urgent solutions how to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and how to store it in the long term.
Local adaptation to climate change
Research does not only show how to contain climate change but also how to adapt to changing conditions. Our way of life often leads to conflicts, for example when green areas must give way to asphalt. This also means that rainwater can no longer run off properly.
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) supports the development of a climate registry which provides information on local climate change in order to increase our resilience to climate change. Effective local adaptation measures can then be developed by using local data.
The BMBF does not only strengthen research for the development of adaptation measures at local and regional level but also in developing and emerging countries.
Climate expertise – Research provides the basis for effective measures
A sound scientific basis is needed for political planning and decision-making. High-resolution climate models, suitable climate scenarios and AI methods generate the knowledge for climate change mitigation and adaptation. The BMBF is driving the development of a new, high-resolution global climate model. In future, it will enable researchers to plan more precisely and efficiently and increase the effectiveness of measures – for more efficient climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Editorial deadline for this text: 01.11.2024