The documentary takes viewers on a journey across Germany, tracing the work of five research projects funded under the BMFTR’s WaX initiative. It explores what potential adaptation measures for floods, heavy rainfalls, and drought could look like in a world increasingly affected by hydrological extreme events.

Across a variety of landscapes – from low mountain ranges and river valleys to urban areas – scientific insights and practical solutions are presented in an accessible and illustrative way. The film highlights the growing challenges posed by extreme water events while also showing possible strategies to address them.

Researchers, industry partners, and citizens directly affected by extreme events share their perspectives, giving viewers insight into the methodological approaches of the projects as well as the collaboration between science, practitioners and end users.

Footage of past flood events, such as the Ahr Valley catastrophe, vividly illustrates the urgency of the issue. At the same time, the focus remains on solutions, showcasing diverse approaches that might help mitigate the impacts of water extremes.

The film is designed for a broad audience and aims to make scientific knowledge understandable, to provide transparency in research, and to raise awareness about the importance of resilient adaptation strategies. In doing so, it contributes to improving understanding of water extremes and supporting an informed discussion on potential adaptation measures.

The documentary was produced by Dr. Patrick Augenstein and his team and is available to the public on the DKKV YouTube channel. In addition, a 2-minute trailer and a 12-minute teaser have been produced, offering suitable formats for different occasions and time frames.