Record temperatures as early as June and several prolonged heat waves have led to a massive excess mortality rate in Europe. Preliminary estimates put the number of heat-related deaths this year at over 30,000. For Germany, the Robert Koch Institute recently reported a mortality rate of 14,000 people due to heat waves, exceeding the record set in 2018. Approximately 9,600 of the 14,000 heat-related deaths in Germany can be attributed to the exceptionally hot last two weeks of June, when weekly average temperatures reached 21.1 and 26.4 degrees.

 

The above-average temperatures since June are taking a toll on the physical and mental well-being of many people. The prolonged heat can lead to problems, especially for older adults, children, patients with cardiovascular and mental health conditions, and people with limited mobility. Especially in urban centers, where nighttime temperatures do not drop enough, and in apartments that become very hot, the strain on residents increases significantly.

Estimates from the EuroMomo monitoring platform have shown that more than 32,000 additional deaths occurred in Europe between mid-July and mid-August alone. In each country, national authorities calculate the mortality rate associated with heat; in Germany, for example, this is done by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), and in Austria by AGES. Different parameters are used in the statistical models to calculate excess mortality.

 

Calculation is based on estimates

Heat-related deaths can only be determined through statistical estimates and computational models, and are based on a comparison between the number of deaths expected for the season and the actual number of deaths, combined with average weekly temperatures. The main reason for this is that people do not die directly from heat, but rather from causes such as heart attacks, circulatory failure, multiple organ failure, or accidents—that is, a combination of heat exposure and pre-existing medical conditions. Only in a few cases does heat exposure lead directly to death, such as in cases of heatstroke.

Therefore, heat is not usually listed as the underlying cause of death on a death certificate. Instead, statistical methods must be used to estimate the extent of heat-related deaths.

According to the RKI, “heat” begins at an average weekly temperature of “about 20°C” and is calculated based on the average of the daily and nighttime temperatures over the course of a week from 52 weather stations throughout Germany. These are always estimates with a certain margin of variation.

Heat poses a particular threat to older adults

According to the latest “Weekly Reports on Heat-Related Mortality” published by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the largest proportion of heat-related deaths occurs among people aged 75 and older—with those aged 85 and older being disproportionately affected. This is due, among other things, to the fact that many people in this age group live in retirement and nursing homes that do not yet have adequate cooling systems. Overall, in absolute terms, more women than men die as a result of heat. However, this can be attributed to the high proportion of women in the older age groups.

 

“Germany is currently going through a transitional phase. The fact that heat waves are occurring regularly is a new phenomenon. Neither our buildings nor our habits are adapted to this. We can see the effects in the death tolls.”

Matthias an der Heiden, statistician at the RKI

 

Links

Robert Koch Institute, “Weekly Report on Heat-Related Mortality, Calendar Week 32/2026 (August 3–9, 2026)”

AGES Heat-Related Mortality Monitoring 

 

Concrete is the most important building material in our modern society—and, at the same time, a major challenge for climate protection. The production of cement, in particular, generates significant CO₂ emissions.

But old concrete, of all things, could become part of the solution in the future.

Researchers are working on processes in which demolition concrete is not only recycled but also permanently sequesters CO₂ at the same time. Through a process known as mineralization or carbonation, carbon dioxide reacts with the calcium-containing components of the concrete and is thereby converted into stable mineral compounds.

Concrete rubble could thus serve as both a new raw material and a CO₂ storage medium.

 

CO₂ becomes a component of the material

The principle is based on a natural chemical reaction.

Concrete slowly absorbs CO₂ from the environment even during its normal service life. However, new processes are designed to significantly accelerate this process in a targeted manner.

Old concrete is particularly interesting in this context.

After buildings are demolished, the concrete is crushed. This creates very large new surfaces. If these materials are treated with CO₂ under controlled conditions, some of the carbon dioxide can react with the material and be permanently bound as calcium carbonate.

This not only stores the CO₂ in the short term, but also chemically converts it into a solid mineral state.

 

New research highlights the potential

In July 2026, researchers investigated how fine powders derived from construction and demolition waste could be specifically used for CO₂ mineralization.

The results show a measurable storage potential: Depending on the material , recycled concrete powder was able to permanently sequester between 33.5 and 54.7 kilograms of CO₂ per metric ton of material.

Another study published in August examined carbonated fine and coarse recycled aggregates for use in new concrete. The study addresses not only CO₂ sequestration but also a crucial practical question: Can the recycled material subsequently be reused to produce high-quality concrete?

Research shows that CO₂-treated recycled materials can generally be reincorporated into new concrete mixtures.

This creates a cycle in the long run:

Buildings – Demolition – Recycling – CO₂ Mineralization – New Concrete.

 

Europe is also investing in the technology

Several research programs on the next generation of climate-friendly building materials are already underway in Europe.

In the EU-funded C-SINC project, researchers and companies from several European countries are working on novel binding agents. The goal is to use magnesium silicates to permanently bind CO₂ in mineral form.

The goal goes well beyond traditional recycling: The aim is to replace some of the conventional cement with materials that absorb CO₂ during their production.

The project is receiving approximately 4 million euros in funding.

At the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, too, such concrete components are already being tested for load-bearing capacity, durability, and safety.

 

Why Cement Is the Real Problem

Concrete consists mainly of sand, gravel, water, and cement. Cement, in particular, poses a problem in terms of climate impact.

In the production of cement clinker, limestone is heated to very high temperatures. This process generates emissions not only from the energy required.

A significant portion of the CO₂ is produced directly as a result of the chemical conversion of limestone.

That is why the problem cannot be solved simply by powering cement plants with renewable energy.

New binding agents, less cement per cubic meter of concrete, recycling, and CO₂ mineralization must all work together.

 

Facts & Figures

According to a recent study, 33.5 to 54.7 kilograms of CO₂ can be sequestered in mineral form per metric ton of recycled concrete powder analyzed.

Approximately 4 million euros in EU funding is being allocated to the European research project C-SINC for the development of CO₂-storing binders.

100 percent recycled aggregate is already the subject of current research. Scientists are studying concrete in which all coarse aggregates come from recycled concrete.

Permanent storage: During mineralization, CO₂ is chemically bound in carbonates rather than simply stored in cavities.

 

Not a miracle cure—but it has enormous potential

That is why concrete does not automatically become a climate-neutral building material.

A recent scientific study from July 2026 even warns against overestimating the natural CO₂ absorption of existing concrete structures. It is nowhere near enough to offset the emissions from cement production.

That is precisely why technical processes that specifically accelerate mineralization while simultaneously producing recycled material for new building materials are of interest.

The key question now is whether these processes can be implemented economically and on an industrial scale.

 

Conclusio

Perhaps the most exciting development in concrete is not taking place on the construction site right now, but rather at the end of its life cycle to date.

In the future, old concrete could become a valuable raw material that also permanently binds some of the CO₂ in mineral form.

This would provide at least a partial solution to two problems—large volumes of construction waste and high CO₂ emissions.

Much of this is still in the research and development phase. But if CO₂ mineralization, recycling, and new binders become industrially scalable, one of the world’s oldest and most important building materials could undergo a fundamental transformation.

Nearly one out of every two kilowatt-hours already comes from renewable sources

The energy transition in Europe has long been more than just a political goal. It is becoming increasingly evident in the European electricity mix. New figures from Eurostat show that in the first quarter of 2026, 45.5 percent of the electricity generated in the European Union already came from renewable energy sources.

A year earlier, the figure was 42.7 percent.

This brings Europe closer to a remarkable milestone: Nearly half of every kilowatt-hour generated in the EU now comes from wind, hydro, solar, or other renewable sources.

 

Wind power remains Europe's most important source of renewable electricity

Within renewable electricity generation, wind power accounted for the largest share— 44.9 percent —in the first quarter of 2026.

Next are:

• Hydropower: 28.0 percent
• Solar energy: 17.3 percent
• renewable fuels: 9.4 percent
• Geothermal energy and other sources: 0.4 percent

Solar energy, in particular, is experiencing rapid growth. In the first three months of 2026 alone, solar power plants in the EU generated approximately 58.8 terawatt-hours of electricity.

 

Some countries are showing what is already possible

Individual EU member states provide particularly striking examples of just how far the transformation of the electricity system can go.

In Denmark, 90 percent of the electricity generated in the first quarter came from renewable sources. In Portugal, the figure was 82.9 percent, and in Lithuania, 75.7 percent.

However, there are still significant differences within Europe. In some member states, the share remains below 20 percent.

 

Wind and solar power are overtaking fossil fuels

Even more remarkable is the long-term trend.

In 2025, wind and solar energy together accounted for about 30 percent of Europe's electricity production. This marked the first time they generated more electricity than all fossil fuels combined, which accounted for about 29 percent.

What was still considered an ambitious goal just a few years ago is thus increasingly becoming a reality: Europe's electricity supply is undergoing structural change.

The energy transition is not yet complete

At the same time, the growing share of renewable energy brings new challenges. Power grids must be expanded, storage capacity must be developed, and European energy systems must be more closely interconnected.

This is because the sun and wind are not always available in the same quantities.

But the latest figures show one thing above all: the restructuring is working.

Europe is generating more and more electricity from domestic renewable sources, thereby reducing not only emissions but also its dependence on imported fossil fuels in the long term.

The energy transition is no longer a project for the future. It is already happening.

 

Facts & Figures

45.5%
of the EU's electricity came from renewable sources in the first quarter of 2026.

42.7%
during the same period in 2025.

Denmark, the frontrunner, achieved 90%
.

58.8 TWh
The EU generated this amount of solar power in the first quarter of 2026 alone.

Wind and solar power together accounted for 30%
of the EU’s electricity in 2025—surpassing fossil fuels for the first time.

 

A landscape that seems to be from another world

Rugged rock spires rise from dense forests, deep gorges cut through the landscape, and far below, the Elbe winds its way through the valley: Saxon Switzerland is one of Germany’s most extraordinary natural landscapes.

In the far east of Saxony, right on the border with the Czech Republic, it forms a unique sandstone landscape together with Bohemian Switzerland. At its heart lies the Saxon Switzerland National Park. The focus here is not on developing the area for tourism, but on protecting a landscape that has been shaped over millions of years by water, wind, and erosion.

The region offers ideal conditions for sustainable travel in particular: a dense rail and bus network, kilometers of hiking trails, and a national park initiative designed to give nature more space again.

 

Travel & Transportation – Take the Train Right into the Heart of Nature

One of the great advantages of Saxon Switzerland is how easily accessible it is by public transportation. From Dresden, you can reach many starting points for hikes in less than an hour by S-Bahn.

Places such as Bad Schandau, Königstein, the spa town of Rathen, and the town of Wehlen are directly accessible by train.

Once there, you can continue your journey using various modes of transportation:

• S-Bahn and regional trains along the Elbe Valley
• Bus routes to the side valleys and hiking areas
• Historic Kirnitzschtal Railway
• Ferries across the Elbe River
• Numerous hiking trails starting right from the train stations

This allows guests to spend their stay largely without needing their own car. This is a significant advantage, especially in a sensitive national park region.

 

Activities – A Landscape for Hikers

Saxon Switzerland is one of Germany's most popular hiking regions. The Malerweg trail is particularly well-known; it winds its way through the spectacular rocky landscape for about 116 kilometers.

It owes its name to Romantic-era artists who found inspiration in this landscape more than 200 years ago.

Among the most famous nature experiences are:

• Hikes on the Malerweg Trail
• the famous Bastei, with a view over the Elbe Valley
• The Schrammsteine with their striking rock formations
• Hikes to the Großer Winterberg
• the deeply carved gorges and valleys of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains

If you're looking for peace and quiet, you should visit the well-known lookout points early in the morning and then take the less-traveled paths. It is especially away from the main attractions that Saxon Switzerland reveals its tranquil side.

 

National Park – Let Nature Be Nature Again

The Saxon Switzerland National Park was established in 1990 and covers approximately 9,350 hectares. Together with the adjacent landscape conservation area, it forms a large-scale protected area.

A key principle is that natural processes should take place with as little human intervention as possible.

In many places, dead trees are allowed to remain in the forest. They provide habitat for fungi, insects, and numerous other organisms. At the same time, they give rise to the next generation of the forest.

This process is particularly interesting in light of climate change, droughts, and pest infestations. The forest is visibly changing—and the national park makes it possible to observe this development.

 

Climbing – Tradition with Responsibility

The bizarre sandstone cliffs have made Saxon Switzerland one of Europe’s most historic climbing regions. “Saxon climbing” has its own set of rules, which were established early on to promote respectful treatment of the delicate sandstone.

Nature conservation plays a crucial role in this regard. Certain cliffs or areas are temporarily closed during the breeding season of protected bird species.

In this way, the region serves as a prime example of how outdoor sports can work: Nature sets the conditions—not humans.

 

Accommodations – Local Businesses Instead of Large Resorts

The range of accommodations also aligns well with the region’s sustainable character. Small hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, vacation rentals, and traditional inns make up the main offerings.

More and more hosts are turning to:

• local foods
• renewable energy
• energy-efficient buildings
• Support for Car-Free Travel
• Partnerships with Local Producers

Accommodations in smaller towns along the railroad line are particularly appealing. From there, you can often start your hikes right away, without having to drive to the starting point every morning.

 

Cuisine – Saxony Meets Bohemia

The region's location on the border also shapes its cuisine. Saxon and Bohemian influences have been blending here for centuries.

Typical of the region are hearty dishes featuring potatoes, mushrooms, game, or locally grown vegetables. Small breweries, bakeries, and farm stands round out the culinary offerings.

Restaurants are increasingly turning to seasonal ingredients and products sourced from the immediate vicinity. This is crucial for sustainable travel: By eating locally, you support agriculture, local crafts, and jobs right in your community.

 

Sustainability Factor – Attracting Visitors Rather Than Exploiting Nature

The popularity of Saxon Switzerland also brings its own set of problems. The Bastei and other well-known viewpoints, in particular, can get very crowded on peak days.

Sustainable tourism here, therefore, does not mean attracting as many additional visitors as possible. Rather, the key is to better spread out visitors in terms of both location and time.

These include:

• good public transportation connections
• Protected and Quiet Zones
• Seasonal closures of sensitive areas
• Environmental Education and National Park Tours
• Clear Rules for Hikers and Climbers
• Promoting lesser-known routes and places

This is precisely where an important insight lies: A successful nature destination does not always have to keep growing. It must learn to protect its most valuable resource—the landscape itself.

 

Conclusion – Great Nature Needs Respect

Saxon Switzerland is a striking example of why sustainable travel means more than just a climate-friendly journey there.

It’s not just about visiting a landscape, but about respecting its boundaries: staying on marked trails, protecting sensitive habitats, using public transportation, and supporting local businesses.

Those who venture here will discover one of Germany’s most extraordinary landscapes, set amid sandstone cliffs, gorges, and tranquil forests.

And perhaps that is precisely where the future of travel lies: not demanding more and more from a place—but experiencing it in a way that will allow the next generation to marvel at it as well.

 

More information: https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/

 

Next Episode: Hohe Tauern National Park – Glaciers, Waterfalls, and Alpine Wilderness in the Heart of Austria

Heat and drought are changing living conditions for wildlife in Europe. As streams carry less water, ponds disappear, and forest soils dry out, water is becoming an increasingly vital resource for many animals.

This doesn't just affect birds, hedgehogs, or insects in our cities and gardens. Habitats in Europe's forests, meadows, and wetlands are also under pressure.

 

Drought Hits Europe's Forests

A healthy forest stores enormous amounts of water and creates a relatively cool microclimate through its vegetation and shade. However, prolonged drought alters this system.

When soil moisture decreases, trees and other plants become stressed. Small ponds, water-bearing ditches, and temporary water sources can dry up. This results in the loss of drinking water sources and habitats for numerous species.

The consequences extend far beyond a lack of drinking water: Reduced moisture alters vegetation and food availability and can affect entire food chains. At the same time, dry forests increase the risk of severe wildfires.

 

Europe will experience another severe drought in 2026

Following an already exceptionally dry year in 2025, the problematic trend continued in parts of Europe in 2026.

In June, large parts of Western, Central, and Eastern Europe were drier than the long-term average. Among the countries particularly affected were France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and parts of the Balkans.

The rivers also reflected the drought. In large parts of Europe, river flows were below average—including in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.

For wildlife, this means that water scarcity is by no means a problem limited to Mediterranean regions.

 

Facts & Figures

95 percent of Europe'
recorded above-average annual temperatures in 2025.

70 percent of European rivers
had lower annual average water levels in 2025 than the long-term average.

In 11 out of 12 months
, river discharge in Europe in 2025 was below average overall.

May and June 2025
saw the lowest river flows across Europe since records began in 1992.

Over 1 million hectares
were burned in 2025 by forest and vegetation fires in Europe—the highest figure on record.

June 2026
once again brought extreme heat and drought to large parts of Europe. Western Europe and large parts of Central and Eastern Europe were drier than usual.

 

What Water Shortages Mean for Wildlife

The effects vary from species to species.

Birds need water for drinking and preening their feathers. Mammals must visit water sources more frequently in hot weather. Amphibians are particularly dependent on moist habitats and small bodies of water. Insects, on the other hand, need safe, shallow access to water.

In the forest, there is another problem: When drought causes stress on the vegetation, the food supply also changes. Fruits, seeds, plants, and insects form the basis of complex food chains.

Water scarcity thus becomes a problem for the entire ecosystem.

 

Even small steps can help

The key task is to preserve natural water cycles and habitats: healthy forests, wetlands, natural streams, unpaved soils, and structurally diverse landscapes can store water and provide refuge.

But you can also help those around you.

A shallow water dish in the garden or on the balcony can provide an additional source of water for birds, hedgehogs, and insects during hot spells. The water should be changed daily, the dish cleaned regularly, and stones or other safe escape routes should be provided for insects.

After all, Europe's rising temperatures don't just affect us humans.

When landscapes dry up, water becomes a matter of survival for Europe's wildlife as well.