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Climate change - Averting catastrophe | DW Documentary

DW Documentary・50 minutes read

Extreme mountaineers face challenges due to melting glaciers caused by global warming, impacting mountains and communities worldwide. Efforts like transitioning to renewable energy and legal actions for improved climate protection measures aim to combat climate change's severe impacts on the environment and society.

Insights

  • Global warming is causing glaciers to melt, impacting mountain climbing conditions and potentially leading to the release of large amounts of greenhouse gases from melting permafrost in regions like Russia.
  • Efforts like the EU's plan to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, alongside commitments from China and the US to phase out fossil fuels, are crucial steps in combating climate change, while legal actions in countries like Germany and the Netherlands set important precedents for environmental policy worldwide.

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Recent questions

  • What are the impacts of global warming on mountain regions?

    Global warming is melting glaciers, affecting climbing conditions.

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Summary

00:00

Mountaineers face challenges amid climate change.

  • Danny Arnold and his friend are extreme Mountaineers scaling the pits palu at nearly 4,000 meters above sea level, hammering in their ax to break ice blocks.
  • Scientists warn that global warming is melting glaciers, impacting climbing conditions in regions like Turkey.
  • Climate change is causing torrential rain, floods, droughts, and permafrost threats, affecting mountains like the European Alps.
  • In Russia, permafrost is melting, causing rare fossils to resurface, potentially releasing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and methane.
  • The melting permafrost in Russia could lead to a rapid release of greenhouse gases, intensifying climate change.
  • Germany faces challenges in cutting emissions due to a shift from nuclear to coal, oil, and gas energy sources.
  • The International Community is working towards phasing out coal, oil, and gas to combat climate change.
  • Norway's hydroelectric facilities generate surplus energy, which is shared with Germany through a subsea cable, aiding in the transition to renewable energy.
  • Climate change impacts are severe in countries like Indonesia, where rising sea levels are forcing schools to close due to flooding.
  • Climate migration is increasing, with millions expected to flee their homes due to climate-related issues by 2050, leading to global instability.

21:24

Climate change impacts and global responses summarized.

  • The speaker shares photos of her 345-year-old family home, expressing deep sadness at its demolition but feeling comfort in being present during the process.
  • The danger continues for Bondo residents, with 3 million cubic meters of scree from pitschengalo threatening the village.
  • Climate change impacts Siberia and the Far East of Russia, affecting livelihoods like Leonid nalotov, a fisherman whose lake dried up due to melting permafrost.
  • Efforts like the EU's plan to make Europe climate neutral by 2050 are steps in the right direction, with China and the US also committing to phase out coal, oil, and gas.
  • Legal actions in Germany and the Netherlands push for improved climate protection measures, setting a global precedent for environmental policy.
  • Researchers explore glaciers like the Plan Mart Glacier in Switzerland, highlighting the impact of climate change on these ancient ice formations.
  • The Alech Glacier in the Swiss Alps faces significant retreat due to rising temperatures, with predictions of near-complete disappearance by the end of the century.
  • The Concordia Alpine Hut in the Alps showcases the visible retreat of glaciers, with the Alech Glacier retreating about a meter per year.
  • Permafrost melting in Siberia and Russia's Far East poses risks to infrastructure and people, with measurements showing significant depth increases in just 20 years.
  • Deforestation for palm oil in Borneo leads to carbon dioxide disasters, prompting research on synthetic palm oil substitutes to reduce environmental impact.

44:27

Climate Change Impacting Water Resources and Agriculture

  • Risk of flooding due to meltwater in spring, historically needing lake space, but now less water absorbed.
  • Farmers in Switzerland's Engadine mountains facing water scarcity, relying on rainwater for irrigation.
  • Meadow parched in summer, grass not growing since May, cows grazing at high elevation due to dryness.
  • Cows facing water scarcity, well almost dried up in 2018, helicopter delivering water at high cost.
  • Insufficient water for animals and winter fodder, leading to expensive feed purchase or cattle reduction.
  • Specialists in Austria preventing landslides due to drought and heat, forest fires in Italy due to climate change.
  • Indonesian island of Java facing water scarcity due to deforestation, leading to devastating floods.
  • Climate change forcing 40 million people in Indonesia to flee, impacting farmers, slum dwellers, and small communities.
  • Energy-saving technology in buildings, like textile facades, reducing cooling costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Proposed measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in cooling buildings, industry, and farming, aiming for a significant reduction by 2030.

01:06:57

Innovative Solutions Combat Climate Change and CO2

  • On April 25, 2018, Switzerland experienced heavy snowfall, with over five meters of snow in winter.
  • Snow water equivalent was measured on seven glaciers across Switzerland, showing snow cover well above average in 2018.
  • Sky sails, a Hamburg-based company, uses kites to harness wind power at high altitudes, generating electricity.
  • High altitude wind offers more energy and a steadier supply compared to ground-level wind, with potential for significant energy production.
  • Sky sails plans to use larger kites to produce over one megawatt of power, suitable for offshore wind farms.
  • Climeworks, a Swiss company, aims to remove CO2 from the atmosphere using large collectors powered by renewable energy.
  • Norway's Polar Light project involves capturing and storing CO2 from polluting industries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Nikita Zimov's Pleistocene Park in Russia aims to recreate a prehistoric ecosystem to combat climate change effects, with animals helping maintain permafrost.
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