Living in the Hothouse?
The term Hothouse describes the era of rising global temperatures that becomes more evident with each passing year. Our journey into this Hothouse has already begun. We are only starting to understand the challenges that societies will face as temperatures continue to rise.
Whether it is:
- Wildfires
- Tornadoes
- Flooding caused by extreme rainfall
- Severe hailstorms
these events are becoming more frequent and more intense. They affect not only individuals but also businesses, infrastructure, and entire regions.
Climate adaptation refers to the strategies we need to survive and thrive in the Hothouse. As climate risks increase, risk management takes on a completely new meaning. The same applies to rebuilding communities and restoring economic value after disasters. These developments deserve closer attention.
What Does Resilience Mean in the Hothouse?
Thriving in the Hothouse requires more than individual mental, emotional, and psychological resilience. Access to resources increasingly determines who can successfully adapt to changing conditions.
As a result, resilience, resource security, and reliable supply chains are becoming major areas of scientific research. Researchers are gaining valuable insights from the management of extreme weather events and complex crisis situations. These lessons are highly relevant for both everyday life and business operations.
What Are Examples of Resilience?
In France, regulations requiring a 50-meter firebreak around villages located in high-risk areas are being expanded to 200 meters. This change reflects the extreme fire behavior and unprecedented heat experienced by firefighters during the 2026 wildfire season. It is an example of more resilient regional planning supported by legislation.
Businesses can apply similar principles by creating protective firebreaks around their facilities and critical investments to reduce the risk of destruction during large-scale wildfires.
Another example can be found in Germany's Ahr Valley. Following the devastating floods of 2021, the region experienced measurable economic recovery. Every reconstruction project contributed to greater resilience.
One of the most visible examples is the Ahr Valley railway, which was rebuilt after being completely destroyed. The new railway was electrified, equipped with accessible stations, and integrated with local transportation systems—even before the federal highway was fully restored.
This reflects what economist Joseph Schumpeter described as the "creative power of destruction," where rebuilding creates opportunities to improve rather than simply replace what existed before.
Where Can You Find Examples of Resilience?
Today, resilience can primarily be measured by the speed and quality of reconstruction. Whether these measures will successfully prevent or withstand future disasters remains to be seen.
The principle of "Build Back Better" has become an internationally recognized approach for assessing resilience. The Ahr Valley already provides numerous practical examples. Researchers and practitioners are analyzing processes and methods to improve resilience management, supported by an extensive scientific network dedicated to these challenges.
How Can You Find These Examples?
Explore regional networks and learn from communities that have successfully responded to climate-related disasters.
The book "Mit Sicherheit Ahrtal," published by Eifelbildverlag, presents 50 projects, networks, and practical methods that have helped the region recover while strengthening its economy.
Its editor, Eveline Lemke, lives and works in the region and advises organizations on adapting to the challenges of a changing climate.
Image credit: Dominik Ketz