Usedom on the verge of collapse? Climate scientists are sounding the alarm!

Usedom on the verge of collapse? Climate scientists are sounding the alarm!

Climate change not only impacts the weather, but also our coastal landscapes. According to current forecasts, the island of Usedom, for example, faces a worrying future: sea levels could rise by up to one meter by the year 2100. This means that the beautiful Baltic Sea island could potentially be divided into smaller islands, putting the coastal villages, especially Wieck, in acute danger Northern Courier reported.

The concerns are not unfounded. Climate researchers show that stormy weather conditions have already led to flooding on Ueckermünde Beach. An interactive model from Hafencity University from 2022 has also published alarming data about endangered areas in Western Pomerania, including the Peenewiesen, large parts of Usedom and the city center of Ueckermünde. In perspective, the fishing village of Wieck is in an extremely bad situation if water levels continue to rise without necessary protective measures such as barrages.

Coastal protection as a priority

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the Ministry of the Environment is responding to these challenges with concrete coastal protection measures. These are necessary to prevent land loss due to sea level rise. Structures such as dikes and barriers are planned, inspired by models from the Netherlands, which are leaders in effective coastal protection technology. Authorities have been taking rising sea levels into account in their strategies for many years and are preparing for a worst-case scenario in which sea levels rise by up to one meter.

Background: Climate change led to a temperature increase in Germany of 1.7 °C between 1881 and 2022, which is 0.6 °C above the global average. Much of the additional heat is absorbed by the oceans, causing seawater to increase in volume, like that Federal Environment Agency explained. This process is accelerating as glaciers and ice sheets melt, which continues to raise sea levels.

Scientific studies and forecasts

Projections like those of the “SeaLevel” program assume that coastal regions around the world, particularly in Germany and Southeast Asia, will increasingly feel such challenges. The program examines future sea level changes and possible response strategies. With over 80 scientists from various disciplines involved, the project aims to cover a wide range of potential scenarios worldwide. The researchers investigate how local conditions and climatic changes intertwine, with coordination taking place in... CEN takes place.

The situation requires decisive action. The ministry plans to no longer declare areas at risk from rising water levels as building plots. This makes it clear that the seemingly farcical summer dream of a carefree life on the coast could soon come to an abrupt end due to the serious challenges of climate change.