Germany had its second warmest year on record

December 31, 2022

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Germany had its second warmest year on record

Berlin, December 31 (IANS) According to the National Meteorological Service (DWD), Germany had its second warmest year on record in 2022, with an annual mean temperature of 10.5 degrees Celsius.

The country had an “extraordinary weather year,” according to the DWD on Friday. Temperatures were 2.3 degrees Celsius higher than the globally accepted reference period (1961-1990) and higher than the previous record holder in 2018.

“Several extreme heat waves in June and July resulted in record temperatures across Europe,” according to the DWD. As a result, Germany set a new yearly record for sunshine hours and had 15% less rainfall than typical.

The German Farmers’ Association (DBV) said earlier this week in its market report that the summer heat and drought had once again reduced vegetable output. Fresh vegetable harvest levels are expected to be much lower than in 2021.

The summer drought also had a significant impact on river shipping in Germany. The Rhine, Europe’s busiest river, saw record-low water levels, requiring ships to transport less cargo at a time when the country’s chemical sector, in particular, was already experiencing supply constraints.

Germany intends to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and achieve climate neutrality by 2045. However, according to a report issued in early November by the German government’s Expert Council on Climate Issues, Europe’s largest economy is still a long way from meeting its mid-term climate objectives.

The weather data for 2022 should provide “renewal for all of us to finally go from talking to action in climate protection,” said Tobias Fuchs, Director of Climate and Environment at the DWD.

“Global warming is nearly unabated,” Fuchs remarked. So far, the globe has “not managed to adequately put the brakes on greenhouse emissions”.

“The emission reduction rates achieved thus far are far from sufficient to satisfy the 2030 climate protection objectives,” remarked Council member Thomas Heimer.

“The annual reduction of emissions would have to double compared to the historical development of the last 10 years.”