Germany: Hamburg's answer to climate change

Climate change will, in fact, leave cities little choice but to develop plans like the green network. Angelika Fritsch, a spokeswoman for the Hamburg's department of urban planning and the environment told The Guardian that thanks to its sea winds, the city is better positioned to combat warmer temperatures than, say, Berlin. But increasing temperatures are already affecting this North Sea metropolis as well.

Another expert interviewed for the article points out that "As a large city, Hamburg is truly at risk. Storm surges could rise by another 30 to 110 centimetres by 2100." Hamburg, in other words, needs its green network because it will help limit the effects of floods.