Tree by Tree - Plant-for-the-Planet

Climate in crisis
“Well, I am officially a Diplom-Meteolo- net. Volleyball and football are similar
When there is a heavy snowstorm in the middle of May,
gist: the ‘Diplom’ is added because I in that they are both played with a ball,
many people say: “Oh, that’s just climate change.” Or if it
have studied meteorology. However, but nevertheless they are played with
rains all day in the height of summer and the rivers flow
because I also announce the weather, completely different rules. This is the
over their banks, people hear – sometimes even on TV:
I’m called a ‘weatherman.”
same with the relationship between
“This is global warming – global warming caused this.”
“How long have you worked weather and climate.”
However, crazy weather doesn’t necessarily have to be
as a Weatherman?”
“Have you identified any similarities
related to climate change, because the climate and the
“I believe it’s been around 14 years between climate change and the
weather are actually two completely different things.
now.”
weather in Germany over time?”
“In my presentations as a Climate “From day to day, not really. In the last
Clara conducted an interview with Sven Ploeger, the “Weatherman” from ARD (a
Justice Ambassador, I always 100 years, the average temperature
German TV channel). Through this interview we learnt much more than just the
explain the climate as the ave- in Germany has risen about 1.1 °C
difference between the weather and the climate, as you will see:
rage temperature, but that is a (1.98 degrees Fahrenheit), and around
little bit simplified. Can you explain the world about 0.7 °C (1.26 degrees
Clara interview with the
“weatherman” from a German TV
channel.
From the very begining of my inter-
more specifically what it is?
“Climate is not only the average
temperature in any given place, it is
also average rainfall, along with other
weather conditions. It is a measure-
Fahrenheit) – the result of many years
of measurements.
This may seem small, but the
Earth’s average temperature has
only risen about 4°C (7.2 degrees
view with Sven Ploeger everything
ment determined over a span of about Fahrenheit) since the last ice age,
Is it ok if I use your first name?” was relaxed. Almost all of the
30 years. Therefore, it always takes which was about 11,000 years ago.
“Yes, absolutely! Mr Ploeger sounds answers he gave to me were highly
the average (weather), along with both If we continue to act as we have, the
much too old-fashioned for my taste.” detailed and comprehensive.
time and space, into consideration. temperature in the next 100 years
“The same goes for me. Feel
“Sven, what exactly is the
Our global climate is thus the result of will rise between 2 -4 °C (3.6 – 7.2
free to use my first name.”
name of the job you do?”
30-years (weather) averages across degrees Fahrenheit). So far, fluctua-
the entire Earth. One very important tions of storm patterns in Germany
difference between the two though is have remained mostly normal.
30 that we can feel the weather, but not Although when the atmosphere is
31
the climate.”
warmer it can absorb more water, so
“But there are also similarities the maximum number of storms is
between the two, aren’t there?” expected to rise in the future because
“Similarities in so far as both – the of the warmer climate.”
weather and the climate – have to do “What kind of tips would you recom-
with the physical operations of the mend to those who want to do
atmosphere. Nevertheless, they are something against climate change?”
actually quite different.
“I think it is really important to explain
I have an example from sports, to people that we can do a lot against
specifically volleyball and soccer. climate change. Don’t despair!
Both are played with a ball. But in one At this moment in time there are two
game the players attempt to get the factors changing the climate: nature
ball over the net, and in the other the and humankind. What nature does is
players attempt to get the ball into the something we can’t change, but we do