Science on the Spree: Adapting to the consequences of climate change

Author: Deidre Hudson Reuss

Senior Marketing Manager

Heat, drought, heavy rain – how do we adapt to the consequences of climate change? Science on the Spree 2025 brought together politicians and scientists to exchange views on current research findings and their relevance to political debate. I spoke to Svenja Müller, Events and Communications Officer at Springer Nature, who has organised the event series since its inception in 2023, to learn about measures to protect society from the impacts of climate change, and the importance of research-policy exchanges.

Tell me a little about Science on the Spree.

Now in its third year, Science on the Spree is an annual event hosted by Springer Nature in Berlin, Germany. It is the German counterpart to Science on the Hill, an initiative by Springer Nature that has brought together politicians and scientists in Washington, D.C., for the past nine years.

Science on the Spree provides a platform for politicians and leading scientists to exchange views on current research findings and their relevance to political discourse. Each year, the event focuses on pressing issues high on the political agenda — such as sustainable nutrition, drug policy, and climate change adaptation. Bringing together researchers and policymakers is key to addressing these pressing challenges facing humanity.  

Why is it so important that knowledge and insights generated by research reaches policymakers?

Whether it’s climate change, pandemics, or migration, effective political decisions can only be taken based on sound science and grounded in evidence. Science on the Spree provides a forum where politicians and scientists can discuss the latest findings in science and hammer out the scientific foundations of future policies.

It is likewise important that these exchanges are accessible to the public. Anyone interested can follow the discussion on site or via free livestream. When the dialogue between researchers and policymakers is open and transparent, as in Science on the Spree, it helps the public gain deeper insight into how political decisions are made, ultimately building trust in the process. This supports engagement and informed participation from the public.

This year’s focus was on adaptation to climate change. Could you tell us a little about the participants and audience?

The speakers in this year’s Science on the Spree were experts from climate science, economics, and politics. Each presented a unique perspective in the discussion on effective strategies for adaptation and damage mitigation. 

• Dr. Jan-Niclas Gesenhues: Member of the German Bundestag (Alliance 90/The Greens); Environmental Policy Spokesperson for the Green parliamentary group and Head of the Working Group on Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety
• Dunja Kreiser: Member of the German Bundestag (SPD), Member of the Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy and the Committee on the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety
• Prof. Dr. Walter Leal: Professor of Climate Change Management and Health at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences and Professor of Environment and Technology at Manchester Metropolitan University 
• Dr. Britta Stöver: Economist and Co-Head of the Energy and Climate Division at the Institute of Economic Structures Research (GWS)
• Prof. Dr. Hans von Storch: Climate Researcher and Professor at the University of Hamburg and at the Ocean University of China in Qingdao; former Director of the Institute for Coastal Research at the Helmholtz Research Centre in Geesthacht

The panel discussion was moderated by Katharina Menne, Editor at Spektrum der Wissenschaft. Dr. Beatrice John, Head of Programme Adaptation at adelphi, Europe's leading independent think-and-do-tank for climate, environment, and development, opened the event with a keynote speech.

The event was attended by political stakeholders at federal and state level, journalists, representatives from associations and institutions in the areas of environmental conservation, civil protection and disaster control, scientists, and science enthusiasts.  

The discussion centred on how society can better protect itself from the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events. What were the key takeaways?

In light of increasingly frequent and severe weather events, the expert panel discussed how climate adaptation measures can be designed and implemented to be sustainable, socially equitable, and financially feasible. The discussion also focused on what is needed to foster motivation and ensure long-term perspectives.

The discussion yielded several key insights, which the panellists put forward as recommendations to policymakers:

• Better monitoring is needed throughout Germany to assess risks more accurately – especially at a local level.
• Climate adaptation primarily takes place at the municipal level. Municipalities must be empowered financially and in terms of personnel to implement climate adaptation measures.
• Health protection should be more strongly anchored in climate policy since climate change poses many health risks (e.g. increasing burden from allergies, mental health effects, etc.).
• When climate adaptation is designed in a targeted and inclusive way, it can also improve quality of life and social justice.
• The economy must be enabled and supported in its transformation towards sustainability, e.g. through investment programmes and clear regulatory frameworks
• Climate protection and adaptation are matters of international responsibility that must be assumed.

Ahead of the event, the panellists were asked how they would invest €10 billion in climate change adaptation right now. What were some of their ideas and suggestions?

This was an interesting exercise, which raised a spectrum of suggestions:

• Jan-Niclas Gesenhues and Dunja Kreiser, both members of the Bundestag, would invest the money in restoring nature, for example through peatland rewetting. Kreiser also highlighted the sponge city concept as an important investment, aiming to make cities more resistant to heavy rain or heat.
• Walter Leal, a sustainability researcher, would invest the money into adapting agriculture to climate change in order to protect people from hunger.
• Hans von Storch, a climate researcher, would split the money: €5 billion would go to the Global South, while the other €5 billion would be used in Germany to reduce water-related hazards such as floods and storm surges.
• Economist Britta Stöver would invest the money in measures that achieve multiple goals at once, such as trees and drinking fountains in cities to combat heat, which would also improve quality of life, store carbon and support local retail.

Find out more: Watch a recording of the event (English subtitles are available) to catch the entire discussion, or download a policy brief with the key takeaways.

Svenja Müller, Events and Communications Officer, Springer Nature.

Svenja Müller is a member of Springer Nature's External Communications Team, based in Heidelberg, Germany. She is responsible for the organisation of external events that underline the company’s purpose as a driver of progress. Svenja holds a bachelor's degree in economics and Romance studies from the University of Heidelberg, and is passionate about sustainability and languages.