Climate catastrophe nice
Imagine Germany’s climate transforming into the new Spain, while Spain and Italy mutate into subtropical heat ovens à la Africa. Welcome to a world in which beer gardens are open all year round and the Mediterranean coasts become incubators of Dante’s Inferno.
The new German summer fairytale
Let’s start in the north: Germany, traditionally known for grey winters and temperatures that cause more goosebumps than sunburns, is undergoing a radical transformation. The wine routes in the Rhineland and Bavaria could become the new hotspots for international wine connoisseurs. German Rieslings and Pinot Noirs would gain in depth and sun-kissed flavour, while beer gardens would develop into year-round festivals of cheerfulness.
The construction industry would flourish as demand for air conditioning systems and heat-resistant building materials explodes. The solar industry would experience a renaissance as the number of hours of sunshine explodes – a paradoxical silver lining on the horizon of the climate crisis.
Spain and Italy: sunburn instead of sunbathing
Further south, the picture is bleak. Spain and Italy, once the holiday paradises of Europe, could turn into sweltering desert landscapes where only lizards and the most hardened tourists will be able to withstand the midday heat. Tourism would fall dramatically, a bitter pill for countries whose economies are heavily dependent on beach and cultural tourism.
Agriculture in these regions would be on the brink of collapse. Olive groves and vineyards would suffer under the merciless sun. This could lead to an increase in the price of olive oil and wine, which in turn could make Mediterranean cuisine a luxury worldwide.
Cultural shifts and culinary collisions
Culturally, a warmer Germany could lead to a softening of the traditional “order”. Perhaps German punctuality would give way to a more relaxed pace of life, inspired by the Spanish siesta culture. In Spain and Italy, on the other hand, the heat could lead to a longing for cooler times. Perhaps we will see a renaissance of night-time activities – markets, working hours and even sporting events being moved to the cooler evening hours.
A heated future
In this hypothetical scenario, wine lovers in Germany and air conditioning manufacturers may benefit, but overall, warming poses a significant challenge. Ironically enough, chilly Germany could become a sought-after holiday destination, while the once coveted beaches of the Mediterranean are to be avoided. In a world where Germany is the new Spain and Spain is the new Sahara, old stereotypes would melt like ice cubes on the bonnet of a car parked in Madrid in August. A toast to that – with a well-chilled German Riesling, of course.
