In a detailed new study it has been found that climate change induced disasters and weather catastrophes have cost Germany at least €145 billion over the last two decades. 

The study, which was released on Monday, was commissioned by Germany’s Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.The findings report that climate change has cost Germany an average of €6.6 billion ($6.7 billion) per year since 2000.Germany’s Environment Minister Steffi Lemke termed the findings as "horrifying scientific data"  and stressed on the "enormous damage and costs" of the climate crisis.

"The numbers sound the alarm for more prevention when it comes to the climate," Lemke said in a media report. The study was released at the start of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, where senior officials from 40 countries discussed the fight against climate change and its impact ahead of COP27 in Egypt.

Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock described climate change as the world's biggest security problem. "We are all in the same boat, which means that we can only turn the tide together," Baerbock was quoted as saying, while addressing the event in Berlin.

Heatwaves in Europe

The meeting in Berlin comes as scientists predict the extreme heat slamming large parts of Europe could become the new normal if global warming continues.Environmental activists warned that recent efforts by countries such as Germany to tap new sources of fossil fuels could undermine countries' already fragile climate actions.

"No one can be happy with the fact that the share of coal-fired electricity generation is rising, with us as well," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told the meeting. "This makes it all the more important that we make it completely clear: This is a strictly limited temporary emergency measure that will not be at the expense of our climate targets."

Several towns and cities in France have recorded their highest-ever temperatures. Nearly 2,000 firefighters were involved in battling huge blazes in the south-west as a searing heatwave gripped much of western Europe.