Changes in temperature and precipitation are affecting nature and society. These changes are not only evident in the rising temperatures of lakes, but also affect the flow of rivers, with extreme consequences such as floods and droughts caused by heavy rainfall or heat waves. Furthermore, in South Tyrol, snow cover is decreasing, glaciers are melting and permafrost (permanently frozen ground) is thawing. These factors can  lead to the instability of mountain slopes, resulting in more frequent landslides and rock falls. Experts also agree that extreme events such as heavy rainfall are becoming more frequent, leading to more frequent flooding of roads and settlements. These events often require the intervention of firefighters and civil protection, and necessitate action in the forestry sector. As a result of climate change, animals and plants are increasingly moving to higher altitudes to avoid the heat over the past twenty years, while new species are spreading to lower altitudes. In addition, an earlier onset of the pollen season has been observed, especially in the case of early flowering plants, and earlier blossoming of trees in orchards.

In South Tyrol, nature and society are already coping with recurrent droughts, as rising temperatures lead to a significant loss of water through evaporation, both from plants and from the soil (evapotranspiration).