Climate change: Lesch warns of health risks and demands energy transition!

Climate change: Lesch warns of health risks and demands energy transition!

Memmingen, Deutschland - On May 24, 2025, an important event of the alliance for democracy and human rights took place in Memmingen, which celebrated the anniversary "500 years of twelve articles". The final highlight of the program was a lecture by Prof. Harald Lesch, one of the best -known voices in climate research. Under the title "Nature is not a party member", Lesch spoke in front of 500 listeners in the auditorium of the FOS/BOS Memmingen.

Lesch, Professor of Astrophysics at the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, emphasized the non-negligence of nature's laws during his lecture. In 20 concise words, he characterized climate change: "He is real; we are the cause; it is dangerous; the experts agree; we can still do something." This is particularly relevant because the earth was already 1.62 degrees Celsius warmer at the beginning of 2025 than in the long -term average, with a heating rate of 0.26 degrees Celsius per decade. In addition, the EU climate converter Copernicus finds that Europe is heating up the fastest.

Health risks from climate change

The effects of climate change are already clearly noticeable. Lesch emphasized that direct effects, such as health problems from storms, droughts, fire damage, floods and heat waves, are on the rise. Indirect effects also include deteriorated water quality, new pathogens and uncertain food supply as well as mental illnesses. These relationships are also confirmed in a comprehensive report by the Federal Environment Agency, which analyzes the health risks of climate change in Germany and draws aware of the significant dangers.

In 2024, a temperature increase of 1.62 degrees was recorded above the finish of 1.5 degrees, which means an increase in extreme weather events. According to Lesch, these threatening changes could also lead to an increase in poverty, migration and violent conflicts. He quoted the Lancet Commission on Climate Change and Health, which warned: "Climate change is the greatest threat to our health in this century."

energy transition as a health project

A central topic of Lesch's lecture was the need for an energy transition. The renowned scientist not only sees a solution to the climate crisis, but also an opportunity to strengthen the healthcare system. The energy transition is viewed as the largest health project of our time. Decentralized energy and heating networks are considered the most cost-effective form of energy generation. Lesch pointed out the positive effects of the energy transition, such as energy independence, a resilient energy system and regional added value.

currently, Germany spends around 100 billion euros on energy imports annually, with over 65 percent of this energy being lost in the form of waste heat. A fundamental transformation from a fossil industrial society towards a sustainable industrial society is necessary to remedy this grievance. Lesch emphasized the importance of photovoltaics and wind power for future energy generation.

In the framework of the event in Memmingen, alliance spokesman Rupert Reisinger presented the alliance, which has consisted of 22 organizations and individuals since 2015. Lesch concluded his lecture with the answering of public questions, which further increased the audience's commitment. The energy transition he clamped was not only understood as a technological necessity, but also as a basic prerequisite for the health of the population.

For further information on the health effects of climate change, visit the website of the environmental Federal Agency , which provides comprehensive data and analyzes. Also the insights in conversation with Harald Lesch and Dr. Martin Herrmann for the energy transition can be found on climate walls-gesundheit.de Detailed reporting on the lecture in Memmingen on merkur.de .