Climate Change Costs
March 26, 2008
"The economic damage will increase in all federal states," DIW's Claudia Kemfert said at the 3rd Extreme Weather Congress in Hamburg on Wednesday, March 26. "What differs greatly is the burden they will carry."
While wealthier states such as Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria in the south might face the highest costs at 129 billion euros and 113 billion euros respectively, they'll be less hard hit than poorer regions such as the city state of Bremen in the north or Brandenburg in the east, according to a DIW study released Wednesday.
More swimming, less skiing
The impact of climate change will also differ greatly, if the report's finding prove accurate. Germany's northern states will mainly face rising temperatures, which could actually help the area as it would make beaches along the North and Baltic seas more attractive for tourists.
Extreme precipitation in fall and winter will mainly hit central and southwestern Germany, while southern and eastern Germany are likely to struggle with extended periods of drought. The south will also suffer as a result of rising temperatures: By 2100, there probably won't be any snow in Germany's Alpine regions, bringing an end to winter sports tourism.
Rising temperatures could also lead to problems with energy supply as nuclear power plants, for example, might run out of cooling water, the report said.