In addition to the possible harm done to the national economy and individuals, public officials at all levels must consider the impact on ecosystems and natural habitats. The resulting framework for real adaptation measures would be particularly suitable for implementation at the local and regional levels. The two-day congress demonstrated that an adaptation strategy must be part of a long-term gradual process which is both prioritised and flexible enough to react to new knowledge about global warming and any changed requirements and options in how to adapt.
The experts named 21 sensitive concerned action areas, including water balance and water management, protection of coastal areas, agriculture, forestry management, energy management, transport infrastructure, public health, protection of the population and against natural disasters, biological diversity, and spatial planning. The experts asked the federal government to aid in setting up effective and stakeholder-specific systems of information and communication, to introduce risk management, and to step up research, education, and vocational training. Cooperation in international development work must also be increased. The adaptation strategy is meant to aid regions in developing their own adapted risk analyses and action programmes.
The gathered professionals spoke out strongly in favour of making meaningful connections between current strategies relating to climate change, biodiversity, demographic change, economic use of land, avoidance of traffic, and sustainable development. They believe it is necessary that responsibilities be clearly allocated, that public and scientific institutions and organisations be more strongly networked, cross-disciplinary work be stepped up, and are also calling for a greater sense of personal responsibility. ”We must take the effects on climate into account in all our economic and social activities. By this we mean the individual citizen as well as big business and the state”, said Prof. Dr. Andreas Troge, President of the Federal Environment Agency.
