Future climate and climate adaptation

Future climate change caused by increased greenhouse seems inevitable. Even if we succeed very soon in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and stabilizing the atmospheric content at the current level, there will be a global temperature increase of one or more degrees over the next 40 to 50 years because of the emissions that have already taken place.

Depending on how greenhouse gas emissions evolve in the coming decades, the earth's average temperature will rise between 1.1 and 6.4 ° C. At the same time the world's sea levels are expected to rise between 20 and 60 cm.  We can already see the effects of climate change today. In Denmark, the extremely heavy rain has for example resulted in the flooding of roads and both public and private basements.

Society must start adapting now
It is crucial that we take climate change into consideration when, for example, planning new roads, bridges and dykes. Climate adaptation means not only adapting to climate change, but just as important is thinking long term into the future by applying the knowledge we have of our future climate into the planning of our society today.

As part of the government's strategy for adapting to climate change in Denmark, a portal for climate adaptation, klimatilpasning.dk, has been set up, run by the Danish Energy Agency. Here you can find useful information to inspire and motivate private citizens, municipalities and companies alike to join in a concerted effort. The portal also includes access to knowledge about our future climate and the areas of vulnerability, consequences and possible courses of action in 12 key sectors of society.