The question of humanity’s survival
The German government repeatedly emphasises that policy must be guided by reality – but why is it failing to do so when it comes to climate protection and the current heatwave?
The heatwave at the end of June 2026 reached new record highs in Germany and was also exceptionally hot in terms of the weekly average temperature. This is shown by the new weekly report on heat-related mortality, published by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on 9 July 2026. The heat model developed by the RKI estimates that this heatwave has so far led to around 5,100 heat-related deaths in Germany. And this is just the beginning.
The entire field of climate science assumes that heatwaves will intensify in the coming years and that there will be far more hot days in future than there were in 2026. Climate researchers predict that, without more effective climate protection, the number of days with temperatures above 30 degrees will rise from 20 today to 70 per year by the end of the century. The past few days have confirmed a trend that scientists have been warning about for many years.
But why are the Chancellor and his Minister for Economic Affairs, Katherina Reiche, ignoring and glossing over this issue in all their appearances in the Bundestag? And why, particularly at this time, does the new Building Modernisation Act allow oil and gas to continue to be used for heating, and why is the Federal Government deciding, of all times, to scrap the feed-in tariff for small solar installations from 2027? This tariff has been very successful to date thanks to support under the Renewable Energy Sources Act.
Renewable energies are energies of freedom and peace
3.5 million rooftop systems are installed on private roofs. This is how the energy transition is being achieved in a citizen-centred and cost-effective manner on detached houses, blocks of flats, church roofs, at craft businesses and housing associations. But this will continue to require clear rules in future, not a political zigzag course. Small solar installations can produce environmentally friendly electricity at a cost of between five and 12 cents per kilowatt-hour, whereas electricity from the mains costs around 40 cents. This reduces dependence on imports and makes the energy system more resilient and affordable.
It is, of course, also true that, in order to organise the 100 per cent transition to renewables, we need more storage capacity, faster grid expansion and swifter digitalisation of the energy supply. We also need incentives to use electricity when wind and solar energy are available. This is not just about climate protection, but also about climate adaptation.
Yet here too, the federal government is shirking its responsibility by declaring that climate adaptation is the responsibility of the federal states and local authorities. But they lack the funds and staff to do so. They need sun protection, green courtyards, façades and roofs, cool hospitals and schools, as well as care homes with cooling systems, more trees and drinking water fountains. Anyone who declares this to be the responsibility of local authorities must also provide them with the necessary financial resources. The climate crisis is also a social challenge.
Amidst all the current national and global crises, one thing should be clear to us: The climate crisis is a matter of humanity’s very survival.
The many heat-related deaths are a wake-up call and a warning to all politicians in this country who are currently failing to take decisive action on this issue. The focus on gas-fired power stations, the continued use of private oil and gas heating systems instead of heat pumps, and a budget that cuts funding for climate protection – all of this is undermining the climate transition.
