A scorching summer – the new normal?
The whole of Central Europe is reeling under the current heatwave. Tropical nights, daytime temperatures reaching 40 degrees, interspersed with heavy rain and flooding.
And this has been going on for weeks. Is this the new normal? On 24 June, the *Süddeutsche Zeitung* asked: “Is this summer or climate change?”
Europe is groaning under a heatwave
The UK has recorded its highest June temperature since records began. France is also reporting record-breaking heat – with 40.9 degrees in Paris.
Water is already becoming scarce in this country. But what are German politicians doing? The Merz government is trying to sweep the issue under the carpet. The current reform issues – pensions, long-term care and healthcare – are, of course, important, but it remains a grave oversight to let them overshadow the matter of survival for the entire planet.
Yet recent polls show that voters in this country are prepared to accept restrictions in the interests of climate protection. The public is more responsible than the current federal government. Climate change is shifting the parameters. Twenty years ago, the summer heatwave began around 14 days later than it does today.
The health consequences are becoming increasingly dramatic: more heat-related deaths and greater strain on people over 80 and young children. Due to climate change to date, current temperatures are already two to four degrees higher.
In light of this situation, BUND proposes the following immediate measures:
- Tackle the causes of the climate crisis so that extreme weather does not continue to increase in the future. This means phasing out fossil fuels such as gas, coal and oil, expanding renewable energy sources, and shaping a socially just transition in heating and transport.
- Create cooling corridors in cities. This includes more green spaces in residential areas, healthy urban trees, and removing impervious surfaces.
- Protect the soil. If the soil can store more water, this protects us from flooding whilst also supplying the soil with much-needed moisture. In built-up areas, the ‘sponge city’ concept must be implemented; in agriculture, organic farming practices such as mixed cropping, crop rotation and grazing of livestock must be promoted.
- Nature must be restored. Moors must be rewetted, forests reforested, and floodplains and rivers renaturalised.
- Provide rapid protection against heat. This includes free air-conditioned rooms, drinking water fountains, heat protection in hospitals and care homes, and mandatory heat action plans for local authorities. (BUND 2026)
It is therefore not true that we are powerless in the face of climate change. The only thing lacking is the political will to act. However, the federal government is underestimating the public’s commitment to tackling climate change. This could come back to haunt this government bitterly in the upcoming elections.
