MAXIMILIAN MANN PHOTOGRAPHY


Between Hope and Dystopia (2020–ongoing)



Wildfire training for the volunteer fire department in Newel. Growing interest in wildfire response training reflects the increasing threat of wildfires across Germany. As the climate crisis intensifies, the risk of wildfires is expected to rise significantly over the coming decades. Conditions known as fire weather—marked by high temperatures, low rainfall, and strong winds—are becoming more frequent, creating an environment where wildfires can ignite and spread more easily. Newel, August 26, 2023
Following a severe thunderstorm and an intense hailstorm, countless roofs in Bad Bayersoien, Bavaria, have been covered with protective tarps. According to local officials, tennis ball-sized hailstones damaged roughly 80 percent of the town’s buildings on August 26, 2023, with total losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros.
According to the European Severe Storms Laboratory (ESSL), hailstorms are becoming both more frequent and more intense, likely linked to the climate crisis. Rising temperatures increase the amount of water vapor in the lower atmosphere, creating conditions that can produce larger hailstones. Bad Bayersoien, September 6, 20
Climate activists from the movement Ende Gelände protest the construction of an LNG terminal after gaining access to the port of Mukran on the island of Rügen. The activists argue that the project will lock in the use of fossil fuels for decades and warn that it will have profound and irreversible impacts on both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Mukran, September 23, 2023
A wind turbine is being assembled in the Sauerland region. To meet Germany’s climate targets, the expansion of renewable energy would need to be significantly accelerated. According to climate models, the current pace of development would have to increase several times over to reach the required levels. The construction of wind turbines is often delayed by lengthy approval processes, as well as logistical and infrastructure challenges involved in transporting the large turbine components. Alme, February 25, 2021
Michael Heinen, weather service technician at the Hohenpeißenberg Meteorological Observatory, shortly before an ozone measurement. Long-term observation records from the observatory show that the troposphere has warmed by around 2.6 degrees Celsius since the mid-1960s. Hohenpeißenberg, April 19, 2023
The climate crisis is also affecting the relationship between breeding birds and their food sources. In great tits, changes in temperature can shift the timing between the breeding season and the emergence of caterpillars. This mismatch can reduce food availability for nestlings and, under certain conditions, lead to significant declines in local populations. Studies by the University of Oxford and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology are investigating these long-term effects in the context of rising temperatures and potential changes to ecosystems. Münster, April 13, 2023
A salad production facility in Willich, North Rhine-Westphalia. The so-called deep floating technique is based on a hydroponic growing system and is still rarely used in Germany. Compared with conventional open-field farming, the method can reduce water consumption by up to 90 percent, as evaporation is significantly minimized in the closed greenhouse environment. Willich, September 19, 2023
A crane lifts a boat out of Lake Edersee because the water level is too low for navigation. The reservoir at the Edertalsperre dam in northern Hesse is managed to regulate water flow in the Weser River and has had to release increasing amounts of water in recent years, particularly during the summer months when water levels are low. Longer periods of drought can cause the lake’s water level to drop significantly, affecting both recreational use of the reservoir and tourism in the surrounding region. Edersee, September 21, 2022
Experts monitor moths in a meadow near Frechen using light sources to attract the insects. In Germany, populations of many butterfly species have been declining for years. The causes include climate change, habitat loss, and intensive agriculture, which places increasing pressure on fragile ecosystems. According to the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, numerous butterfly species are threatened or critically endangered, while many others are considered lost or can no longer be detected in certain regions. Frechen, June 16, 2023
A view inside the Wendelstein 7-X fusion research facility in Greifswald. At the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, scientists are studying the physical principles of nuclear fusion. Using powerful magnetic fields, they temporarily confine plasma heated to temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius. The goal of this research is to develop a potential low-carbon energy source for the second half of the 21st century. Greifswald, November 7, 2025
The rewetting of peatlands, such as here in the Peene Valley near Usedom, can make an important contribution to climate protection. Intact peat soils store large amounts of carbon, which is preserved over long periods within the peat layer in the form of CO₂. When peatlands are drained, this stored carbon can be released again through decomposition processes. Rewetting measures aim to slow or halt this process and preserve the natural carbon storage function of peatlands over the long term. Peene Valley, May 10, 2023
Evacuation of the “Heibo” forest area near Dresden, which had been occupied by environmental activists for more than a year. Against the backdrop of the climate crisis and increasing pressure on natural ecosystems, the extraction of raw materials such as gravel is becoming a subject of growing debate. The activists warn that interventions in the subsurface could disrupt the regional water balance and put nearby peatlands and wetlands at risk. These ecosystems play an important role in climate protection by acting as significant carbon storage areas. Heidebogen, February 16, 2023
David Graf, one of the last remaining commercial fishermen on the Baltic Sea, has been fishing for 18 years, primarily in the coastal lagoon waters of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Due to drastically reduced catch quotas—from around 80 tons of herring in the past to only 2 tons today—commercial fishing in the Baltic Sea is no longer economically viable for him. In addition to decades of overfishing, the impacts of the climate crisis are placing further pressure on herring populations. Rising water temperatures and changing environmental conditions are affecting reproduction and the long-term development of fish stocks. Bodden, May 28, 2025
The so-called factory swimming pool on the grounds of the former Zollverein coking plant in Essen. The industrial complex, which was shut down in the 1990s, is part of the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site and serves as an example of the structural transformation of Germany’s Ruhr region. Where the coal and steel industry once shaped the landscape, cultural, recreational, and leisure spaces have now emerged. The site has become a symbol of the transition from a former coal-mining region to a post-industrial landscape. Essen, August 19, 2025
Artist Fujiko Nakaya transforms the sculpture garden in Berlin into an immersive landscape with a temporary fog installation. Since the 1970s, she has worked with water and humidity as artistic materials. Her works explore the connection between nature and art while drawing attention to their transient nature. Her ephemeral fog installations are also often interpreted as reflections on the fragility of natural systems and the delicate balance of the climate. Berlin, September 9, 2025
Mosquito specimens in the historical collection of the Friedrich Loeffler Institute on the island of Riems. In recent years, changes in Germany’s native mosquito populations and the emergence of mosquito-borne pathogens such as West Nile virus have been documented. These developments are being discussed in connection with changing climatic conditions, which can create more favorable conditions for the spread and activity of certain mosquito species. Riems, May 11, 2023
Skiers are on the slopes in Braunlage in the Harz Mountains during winter. In recent years, the number of days with natural snow cover in Germany’s low mountain ranges has declined significantly, making ski operations increasingly dependent on artificial snowmaking. As a result, conditions for winter sports in the Harz region have noticeably deteriorated. Tourism in traditional winter destinations is facing growing challenges as reliable snow conditions become increasingly rare. Braunlage, February 22, 2025
Simon Vogel from the Fraunhofer Institute in Aachen at the OrbiPlant facility, an automated system for the pesticide-free cultivation of food and medicinal plants inside buildings. The vertical farming system enables resource-efficient production independent of weather and location conditions and is considered a potential approach toward more sustainable agriculture and adaptation to changing climate conditions. Aachen, June 3, 2025
Europe’s largest artificial lake landscape is set to be created in the Lusatia region near Cottbus. As part of the region’s structural transformation, the former lignite mining area is gradually being flooded and restored as a natural landscape. However, changing climate conditions in the region were only partly considered during the planning process. In recent years, Brandenburg has repeatedly experienced below-average rainfall, while the Spree River has suffered from low water levels at times. As a result, the flooding of the future Cottbus Baltic Sea lake has already been interrupted several times due to fluctuations in water availability. Cottbus, September 17, 2020
Martin Nitsche from the Lower Saxony State Forests, Münden Forestry Office, removes giant hogweed. The toxic plant, originally native to the Caucasus region, is considered an invasive species and continues to spread in parts of Germany. Using specially developed tools, his team has been working to control the plant’s spread for several years. In addition to human activity and disrupted ecosystems, changing climate conditions such as milder winters and longer growing seasons can also encourage the expansion of invasive species, creating additional challenges for forest management. Löwenhagen, June 10, 2025
An experimental solar tower facility in Jülich. A central tower is surrounded by a field of 2,153 movable mirrors that concentrate sunlight and direct it onto a receiver at the top of the tower. This process generates thermal energy, which can then be converted into electricity. The facility is used for research into concentrated solar thermal technology and can achieve an output of up to 1.5 megawatts under peak operating conditions. The goal of such systems is to further develop renewable energy technologies and test their potential under different climatic conditions. Jülich, June 1, 2023
Researchers at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel are testing methods to restore seagrass meadows. These marine ecosystems can help stabilize coastlines, provide habitats for numerous marine species, and are considered important carbon sinks because they store CO₂ in sediments over long periods. Initial results in the Baltic Sea are promising: At three locations, more than 3,000 square meters of seagrass habitat have already been restored with around 12,000 newly planted seagrass plants. Kiel, May 28, 2024
A flood causes major disruptions along the Rhine in Cologne, with shipping temporarily suspended. The river’s water level rises significantly due to persistent rainfall, leading to flooding in areas along the banks. In the context of the climate crisis, changes in the Rhine’s flow patterns are being discussed: periods of both high and low water could become more frequent and more pronounced in the future. Cologne, February 5, 2021
At AERO Friedrichshafen, an aviation trade fair, private aircraft are also on display. In 2022, more private jet flights were recorded at German airports than in previous years. Studies show that private aviation produces particularly high emissions relative to the number of passengers transported. Analyses of the global climate footprint also highlight a significant imbalance in emissions: a small share of the world’s population is responsible for a disproportionately large amount of climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions. Friedrichshafen, April 19, 2023
Rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves in Germany are making rivers and lakes increasingly important places for cooling off and social life. On a hot July day in Ulm, hundreds of people gather on the banks of the Danube in inflatable boats and homemade rafts for the traditional Nabada river festival. Ulm, July 21, 2025
The artwork I Like the Flowers by Julius von Bismarck, part of the Save Land exhibition at the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn, features pressed exotic plants mounted on stainless steel panels. The work explores the relationship between humans and nature, as well as the cultural and historical ways in which plant resources have been classified and interpreted. Within the context of the exhibition, it also addresses questions surrounding biodiversity, land use, and ecological change. Bonn, April 5, 2025
The Garzweiler II open-pit mine, which included the former village of Lützerath within its extraction area, has become a symbol of protests against lignite mining in Germany. The disputes are part of broader energy policy developments following the energy crisis, during which fossil fuels saw renewed use. Despite the expansion of renewable energy, coal remains an important energy source in many regions, which can slow the transition away from fossil fuels. Erkelenz, June 1, 2023
A Volkswagen laboratory researching battery technologies for electric vehicles. As part of EU climate policy, no new vehicles with internal combustion engines are planned to be registered from 2035 onward. Electric vehicles play a central role in the transition toward more sustainable mobility and have undergone significant technological advances in recent years. At the same time, the transformation remains challenging. Salzgitter, February 25, 2022
The Thyssenkrupp plant in Duisburg is considered one of the key sites of Germany’s energy-intensive steel industry. Steel production is among the country’s largest industrial sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Against the backdrop of the climate crisis, pressure is growing on the sector to develop lower-emission production methods, including the use of hydrogen-based direct reduction. The transformation of industrial processes is considered a crucial part of the transition toward a climate-neutral industry, but it faces significant technological and economic challenges. Duisburg, August 28, 2023
A changing and transition area on the Baltic Sea island of Riems near a high-security laboratory operated by the Friedrich Loeffler Institute. In protected laboratory facilities, insect experts investigate how changing climate conditions may influence the spread of mosquito species, including invasive species such as the Asian tiger mosquito. The research focuses on potential changes in habitats, distribution ranges, and the risk of pathogen transmission in connection with rising temperatures. Riems, May 11, 2023



Temperatures in Germany have risen significantly more than the global average. Change is evident across the country—both in the landscape and in society.

But how can images capture a slow, creeping transformation? How can the climate crisis be visually represented beyond the usual clichés?

This photo essay on the climate crisis in Germany does not seek sensational images but rather quiet testimonies of a country gradually changing amid the crisis. Germany faces a serious challenge: as an industrial and automobile powerhouse, it must become climate-neutral by 2045. That leaves only 20 years—a race against time. Economic interests, political ideologies, and possible solutions have become increasingly heated topics of debate in Germany in the 2020s. The social climate is shifting, climate activists are mobilizing, and scientists are searching for new solutions. Yet coal mining continues, the expansion of wind power remains too slow, and discussions persist about how much longer gasoline-powered cars should be sold.
This photo essay depicts a photographic journey through Germany, focusing on a country in transition. What new and hopeful approaches exist to slow down the climate crisis? How is Germany’s landscape changing? And what does this mean for people's daily lives? The essay aims to give viewers a sense of a nation in crisis—a quiet and restrained testimony of transformation, balancing between hope and dystopia.

Supported by True Picture Award


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based in Dortmund/Hamburg, Germany info@maximilian-mann.com  + 49 157 70268645