Germany

It takes only 189 days for the average Canadian to produce as much greenhouse gases as the average German will produce over the course of the entire year.  Therefore, July 8th (189 days into the year) is "Climate Change Impacts in Germany Day."

Residents of Germany have already begun to experience the adverse impacts of climate change.  Should climate change continue unabated, extreme weather events such as the “drought and insufferable heat that hit most of Western Europe, including Germany, in 2003 will be a normal occurrence in 50 years.”  Higher temperatures will mean increased glacial melting, which may cause flooding.  However, at a certain point, rivers such as the Rhine, that depend on glacial melt will see their strength reduced.

As well, many sectors of Germany’s economy are put at risk due to climate change. 

The agricultural sector in certain areas is vulnerable to the increased aridity in the summer.  Agriculture will also be impacted indirectly through increased risk of diseases and pest outbreaks.  Germany’s tourism sector, and winter sports in particular “are classified as highly vulnerable. Decreasing snow safety must be expected, for which no adequate long-term adaptation measures are available.”