Farmers bearing the brunt of climate protection measures, albeit not without limits on expenses

Headline: Climate Protection and Agriculture: Balancing Act for Farmers in Germany

In the heart of Europe, Germany is grappling with the challenges of climate protection and agriculture. As the nation aims to become climate-neutral by 2045, the agricultural sector finds itself at the centre of the debate.

Scientists propose measures such as protecting and restoring peatlands and natural habitats, improving soil health through adapted tillage and humus-building practices, reducing chemical use via mechanical weed control, and managing water through controlled drainage to reduce agricultural emissions. However, farmers report mixed perceptions and experiences. Techniques like Strip-Till and climate-adapted crops indicate some acceptance and practical benefits, yet the path forward is not always clear.

Climate protection is not just a matter of opportunity costs for farmers; their yields and livelihoods depend on it. Unfortunately, the damages caused by climate change in Germany between 2000 and 2021 are estimated to be around 145 billion euros. The historical drought summer of 2018 resulted in crop losses of over 770 million euros for farmers, a stark reminder of the stakes.

The ivory tower of science should consider the impact of their proposals on the agricultural industry and rural communities. The call for rewetting peatlands, for example, may seem beneficial for climate protection, but it ignores the practical realities on farms. Rewetting peatlands cannot support livestock or grow crops, potentially endangering the livelihoods of many farmers.

Similarly, the call for fewer livestock overlooks the demand for animal products and the fact that many businesses depend on them, particularly in rural areas. This narrow-minded approach frustrates farmers, who are rightfully annoyed by the lack of consideration for the industry's realities.

As discussions about voluntariness in rewetting peatlands give way to the possibility of a more mandated approach to climate protection in the agricultural sector, farmers must monitor developments in politics that shape their industry. Climate protection should not come at the expense of farmers' livelihoods, and a balance must be struck that works with, not against, agriculture.

Subsidies for new machines for peatland protection are available for farmers, and the proposals from scientists can quickly become real guidelines on farms. Farmers who work with nature can make a significant contribution to climate protection, and there is a need for climate protection that works with, not against, agriculture.

The economic, social, ecological, and agricultural costs of unchecked climate change would be enormous in Germany. The German government has calculated that up to 900 billion euros in climate-related costs could arise by 2050. The preliminary damage assessment for the "Christmas flood" of 2023/2024 in Lower Saxony amounts to about 20.5 million euros for agriculture alone.

As the debate continues, it is crucial that all parties work together to find solutions that protect the environment while safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers and the rural communities they support. A climate-neutral Germany by 2045 is a goal worth striving for, but it must be achieved in a way that works for everyone.

Farmers bearing the brunt of climate protection measures, albeit not without limits on expenses