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Flooding Predictions Pose Significant Concern for Lower Saxony's Ecosystems

Flood danger forecasted in Lower Saxony, according to environmental assistance reports

Rising flood risks predicted for Lower Saxony, causing concern among ecological support groups.
Rising flood risks predicted for Lower Saxony, causing concern among ecological support groups.

Flooding Poses Significant Threat for Lower Saxony, According to Environmental Aid Organization - Flooding Predictions Pose Significant Concern for Lower Saxony's Ecosystems

In a recent evaluation of flood prevention and monitoring data from 2014 to 2024, the German Environmental Aid (DUH) has highlighted the urgent need for action in Lower Saxony, where nearly 24,000 residential addresses are at risk of a century flood.

According to DUH, 2.96% of Lower Saxony's state area is at risk, with a century flood occurring once every 100 years on average. However, due to the climate crisis, these events are expected to become more frequent.

To address this issue, DUH advocates for a combination of measures, including enhanced flood protection infrastructure, such as improved dykes, levees, and flood barriers. They also promote the restoration of natural wetlands, as these can help absorb excess water during floods, reducing the risk of damage to nearby communities.

Sustainable water management practices, like rewilding rivers and improving drainage systems, are also important, as well as implementing policies to reduce urban runoff. DUH encourages the use of renewable energy sources in flood mitigation measures to reduce their environmental impact.

In addition, DUH stresses the importance of climate change adaptation strategies, such as those designed to address rising sea levels and increased precipitation events.

In a bid to prioritise nature-based solutions over technical methods, DUH also advocates for retreat from floodplains in Lower Saxony. They call for a more comprehensive collection of data on flood protection measures in the state to better understand the current situation and plan for the future.

DUH also emphasises the need for better exchange between the states regarding flood risks and water scarcity. They demand better coordination among the federal states to address these issues collectively.

Bremen, Bayern, Baden-Württemberg, and North Rhine-Westphalia are also identified as regions with an extremely high flood risk, according to DUH, but no new facts about the specific risks in these areas were mentioned.

In a positive development, Bremen has established a storm surge or heavy rain partnership with various entities in certain city areas. DUH praises Bremen for its research project "BREsilient", which involves not only financial support but also better coordination and an overview of measures.

However, no new facts about the demand for federal states to support municipalities in adapting to extreme weather events were mentioned. Lower Saxony is already funding projects to improve water availability and soil functions, but the specific measures demanded by DUH for the state remain unclear, as they would require consultation of the organisation's official publications or direct contact with them.

  1. To further mitigate the impacts of climate change on the environment and communities, DUH advocates for the integration of climate change science in their policy-making, focusing on adaptation strategies that address rising sea levels, increased precipitation events, and extreme weather events.
  2. As part of their comprehensive approach, DUH also endorses vocational training programs in environmental science, particularly in fields such as hydrology, meteorology, and sustainability, to empower individuals with the skills needed to address climate-change related challenges, including flood prevention and mitigation.

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