Concerns and Challenges of Climate Change In Northern Europe

One large issue with climate change in northern Europe is the ever increasing precipitation, while at the same time, it is decreasing in the southern half of the continent.  This trend is expected to continue over the years to come and will only lead to further environmental problems in the region.  Multiple rivers are expected to flood as a result of this climate change due to higher temperatures intensifying the water cycle.  For precipitation, the most pronounced changes are found for Scandinavia in winter (+14.6%).  The cost up until 2100 for the flooding of buildings around the major lakes in Sweden, Vänern, Mälaren and Halmaren, was estimated at a total of SEK 7.9 billion at today’s hundred-year flood. Damage costs for shipping, roads, railways, agriculture, forestry, water treatment works, sewage system, power station and industries totaled an additional SEK 3.2 billion.  Today’s hundred-year flood will have a smaller return frequency in some parts of the country. In the area around Lake Vänern, it is estimated that the hundred-year floods will have a return frequency of 20 years. The hundred-year floods in a changed climate will; therefore, be higher than at present in these areas, which means that larger areas will be flooded. The return frequency will be longer in other parts of the country.  Even though there is no direct proof that these floods are a result of climate change, flash and urban floods, caused by intense precipitation events, are probable to be more frequent throughout Scandinavia. 

(Flood Washing Away Norwegian Town)

There are several political institutions in place that prevent adequate policies to prevent climate change in northern Europe as well.  First, the majority of the countries in this region heavily rely on industries to improve their respective economies that are known to releases greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.  This intimate connection between climate change and economic vitality implicates almost every aspect of a country’s economy.  Second, advanced technologies that could replace fossil fuels are extremely expensive and most countries cannot afford to make the switch without a devastating impact on their economic stability.  Third, northern European countries do not release as much carbon dioxide as others, so they disagree with most of the world that they should reduce their own emissions when countries such as the United States and China are responsible for so much more of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.  Not only is it difficult for these countries to agree with one another, it is almost impossible to enforce any regulations made to counteract climate change.  Finally, there are still those in the region that deny climate change and all parties that engage in such acts add to the politicization of the science of climate change. The result is a clouding of the reality of the climate change issue. 

(Annual Fossil Fuel Emissions in Europe)